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Understanding Placement Results

Course placement can be determined using one or a combination of the following information:

  • Scores form ACT, SAT, MN Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) - valid within the last 5 calendar years

  • High school GPA - valid within the last 10 calendar years

  • Standardized score reports from Advance Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and International Baccalaureate (IB)

  • Completion of college-level coursework from an accredited U.S. college or university

  • Self Guided Placement - if you don't have valid high school GPA or other score reports mentioned above

  • Accuplacer testing – Math scores valid within 2 years; Reading/Writing scores valid within 5 years (Note: Normandale does not offer Accuplacer testing)
  • Information on how these options can be used for course placement and how to submit the supporting documentation can be found at Other Course Placement Options.

Course Placement Criteria

Explanations on how course placement is determined using high school GPA, ACT, SAT and MCA test results or Accuplacer scores is provided in the sections below.

See the Course Placement Criteria below to learn more about placement levels.

See Mathematics Coursework (PDF) to learn more about math course sequencing.

See English Coursework (PDF) to learn more about English course sequencing.

Students who have questions about what their placement results mean should contact their assigned Admissions representative.

If a student is dissatisfied with their course placement, an appeal option is available.

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