New Student Information

Math Placement Testing is mandatory for all incoming College of Engineering students, regardless of your ACT, SAT, AP, IB, or transfer math credit. Engineering students must complete the online math placement test no later than one week before their virtual NSO advising meeting. The first-year advising team will not lift the advising hold on your Charlotte account until you have completed the test and a first-year advisor has reviewed your score. Any delay will prevent you from registering for first-semester courses during your virtual advising meeting.

Your Math Placement level does not override AP, IB, and/or college credit. Before the New Student Orientation Virtual Advising meeting, first-year advisors will review your math placement level alongside any anticipated or earned credit as a way to help discuss math readiness and resource options. Your placement score will assist Lee College of Engineering advisors when discussing your starting math course in UNC Charlotte’s math sequence and any additional resources to support your success in your first-semester math course to increase your chance of succeeding in engineering courses. Ultimately, if you decide to enroll in a math course based on test scores or college credit, you have that option.

Engineering programs can be challenging, especially for students transitioning from high school, dual enrollment, or early college. Math courses often feel familiar at first but college-level courses move at a faster pace, focus more on concepts, and require you to manage your own progress both in and out of class. Being placed in the right course can make a big difference in a student’s transition into the College of Engineering. Students should approach the Math Placement Test seriously and should prepare thoroughly before taking it.

All majors in the W.S. Lee College of Engineering have an Academic Plan of Study, a 4-year guide that outlines the recommended sequence to complete all major and general education requirements. While everyone’s paths look different due to potential dual enrollment and/or AP/IB credits, or by starting with a different first math course than what is listed first on the plan, these plans play a critical role in assisting students in determining what courses they should take in the upcoming term.

First semester students will have their first semester courses recommended to them by an academic advisor. These recommendations will be based on the student’s major’s Academic Plan of Study, taking into consideration any previously earned or expected credits. It is the responsibility of the student to reach out to the OSDS advising team if/when AP or Dual Enrollment credits are applied to their UNC Charlotte transcript after their initial advising meeting. See the “AP, IB, and/or College Transfer Credit” section below for more information.