As of Summer 2026, USC Math Placement Exams are housed in semester-specific Brightspace courses. An updated Brightspace course will be created for each Fall and Spring semester.

Register for the Fall 2026 Math Placement Exam

USC students can also log into their Brightspace homepage, click Tools, and select Discover. There they can search for the most current Math Placement Brightspace page.

  • The new USC Placement Exam consists of three separate assessments that test different elements of Precalculus:

    A description of the three Placement Exam Assessments: Algebra (30 questions, 120 minutes), Exponential/Logarithmic Functions (10 questions, 60 minutes), and Trigonometry (10 questions, 60 minutes).

    Students may not need to complete every assessment, depending on their major and prior preparation. Each assessment may be taken separately, but once started, it must be completed in a single sitting. Plan for up to 60 minutes per assessment, use a computer with a reliable internet connection, and have a scientific calculator available. Do not use AI tools, the internet, or assistance from other people.

    Consult your major requirements or academic advisor to determine which assessments you should take. Most science, mathematics, and engineering majors should complete all three assessments, while most business majors should complete the Algebra and Exponential/Logarithms assessments. Complete any required assessments at least 10 business days before you plan to enroll in a mathematics course.

  • All students needing placement should at least take the Algebra assessment. Students wishing to place into Calculus should take one or both of the other assessments:

    To place into Math 108, 114, or 117, students must score greater than 10 on the Algebra assessment. To place into Math 118, students must score greater than 20 on the Algebra assessment and greater than 6 on the Exponential/Logarithms assessment. To place into Math 125, students must score greater than 20 on the Algebra assessment, greater than 6 on the Exponential/Logarithms assessment, and greater than 6 on the Trigonometry assessment.

    Students can see all of their scores, and a list of courses they’ve placed into, by logging into Brightspace, clicking My Grades in the banner, then Grades.

    However, once each assessment is completed, it may take up to 10 business days for the registration system to update to allow a student to register for a course they placed into.

  • Students may attempt each assessment once per semester, by self-enrolling in the latest Math Placement course in Brightspace.

    Assessment scores do not transfer between Brightspace courses; i.e., from semester to semester. The goal is to assess a student’s current mathematical ability, not past ability.

    To request that an assessment score be reset in the current semester because of some technical or logistical issue, students should email placement@usc.edu for assistance.  Once reset, the old score will persist in the Brightspace gradebook until the assessment is reattempted, and then it will be overwritten by the new score.

  • A student with OSAS accommodations for extra time should contact their OSAS advisor, who will forward the necessary information to our Placement office.