The University of New Mexico

Math, English, & Reading Placement Exams

Placement into many of your courses will be based on you ACT or SAT scores, or courses that you have previously taken at UNM or another college. 

Course Placement

If this is your first time going college, course placement will be based on your ACT or SAT scores. If you don’t know your scores, visit the ACT or SAT websites to obtain them. New Student Orientation offers a program called My Course Placement to assist students in determining which courses they will place into during their first year.

Compass Exams

If you are not happy with your English, Math and Reading placements, you can challenge them by taking a placement exam (Compass Exam) at the UNM Testing Center. You may take the placement exam if:

  1. Your ACT or SAT scores place you into one or more Introductory Studies (IS) classes: IS100 Math, IS100 Reading, IS100 English OR
  2. Your intended Major is in engineering, physics, computer science or math (specify that you want to take the Compass Trigonometry exam).

When should I take a Compass Exam?

We highly encourage students to take the Compass Exam before orientation, so that academic advisors have the best information available to assist you during advisement. You will not have time to take a Compass Exam during orientation.

What do I need to know in order to take the Compass Exam?

  • The UNM Testing Center administers all Compass Placement Exams 
  • Location: UNM Continuing Education South Building Room 226.  
  • Hours: Walk-in Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm 
  • Cost: $3.00 per exam, excluding the Trigonometry exam
  • Phone: 505-277-5346
  • A photo ID is required to take placement exams
  • The Testing Center does not administer Foreign Language Placement Exams (click here for information about language placement)

Important note

The Math Compass Placement Exam overrides ACT or SAT Math scores.  If you are placed in a lower math class, you will be required to take the lower class.

Foreign Languages

Students must also take a foreign language placement exam to enroll in Spanish, French, or German courses. Click here for information about foreign language placement exams.