Placement in classes that match your ability and experiences is important to steady degree progress and academic success.  Please read about the NDSU math and English placements and follow the instructions provided.  

• NDSU Mathematics Placement 
• NDSU English Placement 

What is the math placement assessment?

• The NDSU math placement assessment determines what math courses and courses with a math corequisite you are eligible to take.
• This is a timed assessment that should be taken in an environment free of distraction and will take a maximum of 75 minutes.
• Eligible students with disabilities may seek reasonable accommodations to take the assessment.  Please complete an application for academic accommodations through the NDSU Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources.  For questions, call (701) 231-8463 or email ndsu.cadr@ndsu.edu. 
• NDSU will always accept your highest placement whether it is determined by previously earned credit, NDSU placements, or other approved placement examinations.  Additional information is available in the University Catalog.

Who should take the math placement?

• Most majors require math, and placement in a course that best matches your ability will help you make good progress toward your degree. Therefore, it is to your benefit and strongly recommended to complete the NDSU math placement, especially if you do not already have college-level math credits on file with us.
  • Without a placement score or college-level math transfer credit on file at NDSU, you will need to complete a non-credit preparatory math course before you may enroll in other math courses required for your major. This could delay degree progress. Taking the placement now will potentially save you time and money.
• Some majors do not require math for degree completion.  If you have one of the majors below, you do not need to take the math placement.  However, if you change your major to one that requires math or choose to take a math course to fulfill general education credits, you may need to complete the math placement, especially if you do not have college-level math transfer credit. 
  • Agricultural Communication
  • Anthropology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Art Education
  • Business Education
  • Emergency Management
  • English
  • English Education
  • Environmental Design
  • Health Education
  • History
  • History Education
  • Interior Design
  • Journalism
  • Management Communication
  • Music
  • Music Education
  • Philosophy/Ethics
  • Physical Education
  • Public History
  • Sociology
  • Social Science Education
  • Spanish
  • Spanish Education
  • Sport Management
  • Strategic Communication
  • Theater Arts
  • Women and Gender Studies

How to access the math placement

• Use your N.D. University System ID to log into the placement in Blackboard.
• Click on Courses in the left menu.
• Click on Course Catalog in the top right corner.
• Type 2023-2024 NDSU Math Placement in the search field.
• The 2023-2024 math placement will appear under the Course ID list.  Hover over the course name until an arrow appears. 
• Click on the arrow, and the word "enroll" will appear.  Click Enroll.
• Click Submit and then OK.
• Be sure to read the announcements that appear before taking the announcement.
• It is recommended to practice before completing the assessment.  You will find practice assessments in the left menu. 

Go to Blackboard and the math placement assessment

What is the English placement survey?

• The NDSU English placement survey determines which English course best matches your previous academic experiences.
• The estimated completion time is 10 minutes.  You will be asked about your previous experiences and comfort level with a variety of academic reading, writing, and research tasks.
• NDSU will always accept your highest placement whether it is determined by previously earned credit, NDSU placements, or other approved placement examinations. Additional information is available in the University Catalog.

Who should take the English placement?

• If you will transfer college-level English composition credits to NDSU or if you have ACT or SAT test scores, it is not necessary to complete the NDSU English placement.
• If you have neither college-level English composition credits nor ACT or SAT test scores, you should complete the NDSU English placement.

How to access the required English placement survey:

• Use your NDSU electronic ID (soon to be named Bison Login) to log into the placement survey.
• Read the instructions provided to complete the survey.

Go to the English Placement Survey