Math Placement and Prerequisites 

This guide is for helping students gain placement into mathematics courses at JJC.

• Students Who Have Never Taken a College Math Class
• Students Who Need to Meet the Geometry Prerequisite 
• Reverse Transfer Students
• Visiting Students
• Students With at Least a Bachelors Degree

Please note: The Chairperson of the Department of Mathematics reserves the right to resolve placement disputes, correct improper placement and to change the placement of students based on relevant information. This includes, but is not limited to, students placed lower than their documented ability and students placed higher than their documented ability.

Students Who Have Never Taken a College Math Class

Students who have never taken a college math class must take the math portion of the ACT Compass test. Students taking Math 119 or higher will need to meet the geometry prerequisite also. Your math course placement is based on your ACT COMPASS math test scores. These scores assist the Math Department in placing you in a class in which you have the greatest chance of being successful. It is important to take testing seriously; once a student enrolls in a math class, the ACT COMPASS test cannot be retaken.

See the ACT Compass Placement Testing page for testing information.

Back to Top  

Students Who Need to Meet the Geometry Prerequisite

All math classes numbered 119 or higher have Math 095 - Geometry as a prerequisite along with another math prerequisite. Visiting Students and Students With at Least a Bachelors Degree should follow the directions under the appropriate section of this page to meet the geometry co-prerequisite. All other students can meet this geometry co-prerequisite three different ways:

1. The geometry prerequisite can be met through high school transcripts. If you have taken two semesters (a complete year) of high school geometry with an average grade of 'C' and no failing grade, have your high school transcript sent to the Admissions Office.
2. The geometry prerequisite can be met by taking the geometry portion of the ACT Compass test. More information about the ACT Compass test can be found at the ACT Compass Placement Testing page.  Students can review using the Geometry Compass Test Review Packet.
3. The geometry prerequisite can be met by taking Math 095 - Geometry. If you have taken geometry at another college, fax unofficial transcripts to 815-280-2297 and call or email the Math Placement Specialist.

Back to Top  

Reverse Transfer Students

A reverse transfer student is defined as any student who has attended or is attending another college or university and has completed at least six credit hours. If you are attending JJC for Summer Semester only and then returning to your four-year college or university, refer to the Visiting Students section.

• All reverse transfer students must first complete an application for admission. You may do this online by going to the Admissions Web page.
• All reverse transfer students must retrieve their JJC ID number. This number is used to register you for your course. See the ID / User Name / Password Help page to retrieve your JJC ID number.
• If you have taken a math class at another college that meets the prerequisites for the class in which you wish to enroll, fax an unofficial transcript showing the college math class you have passed or are currently attending to 815-280-2297. Then call or email the Math Placement Specialist to register for the course. Remember, if you would like to take a math class numbered Math 119 or higher, you will need to meet the geometry prerequisite also.
• If this is your first college math class, you will need to take the math portion of the ACT Compass test at Joliet Junior College. Remember, if you would like to take a math class numbered Math 119 or higher, you will need to meet the geometry prerequisite also.
• You may use math placement scores from another college only if the scores are from a Compass test. Otherwise you will need to take the ACT Compass test at Joliet Junior College. Have Compass scores from other colleges faxed to 815-280-2297. Then call or email the Math Placement Specialist to register for a class. It is always your option to take the math portion of the ACT COMPASS placement test if you were unhappy with your math placement at another college as long as you have never taken a math course at Joliet Junior College.

Back to Top  

Visiting Students

If you are attending JJC for Summer Semester only and then returning to your four-year college or university:

• All visiting students must first complete an application for admission. You may do this online by going to the Admissions Web page.
• All visiting students must retrieve their JJC ID number. This number is used to register you for your course. See the ID / User Name / Password Help page to retrieve your JJC ID number.
• If this is your first college math class, you will need to take the math portion of the ACT Compass test at Joliet Junior College. Remember, if you would like to take a math class numbered Math 119 or higher, you will need to meet the geometry prerequisite also.
• If you have taken a college math class or are currently enrolled in a college math class that meets the prerequisites for the class at your four-year college, you do not need to take the ACT Compass test or send in high school transcripts. Instead, fill out parts 1, 2 and 3 of the Visiting/Reverse Transfer Form (PDF). Have your academic advisor at your four-year college fill out parts 4 and 5. Then have this form faxed along with an unofficial transcript showing the college math class you have passed or are currently attending to the Math Placement Specialist at 815-280-2297. After the form and transcript are faxed, call or email the Math Placement Specialist to register for the class. Please use a college email address when responding by email. 

Back to Top

Students With At Least A Bachelors Degree

• All first time JJC students must first complete an online application at the Admissions Web page. Please be sure to complete and submit your application. You should receive a confirmation page if you filled out and submitted your application correctly.
• Look up your JJC ID number. See the ID / User Name / Password Help page to retrieve your JJC ID number.
• Complete the Student with a Bachelors Degree Placement Form (PDF). Fax the completed, signed form along with an unofficial transcript showing the date you have completed your undergraduate degree to 815-280-2297. Then call or email the Math Placement Specialist to register for the course.

Back to Top