Frequently Asked Questions

Advising and placement questions

I passed the TSI Math Assessment. Does that mean I can take any course I want now?

Assessments given at the Testing Center are used for two things: initial placement (before enrolling in your first math course) and TSI status. A student who has been told that he or she "passed" the test generally has gotten a score that is sufficient to make him or her TSI complete, which means that the student is legally eligible to take any entry-level credit math course. This decision was made at the state level, not at the institutional level, and we do not think that scoring high enough to be TSI Complete in math is necessarily sufficient for our business and STEM entry-level credit math courses. We recommend you read the prerequisite review for the course to help you determine whether you are prepared.

See the Course Flow Charts for more information about course sequences. You can identify the first college-credit math courses as those without a MATH course above them in the chart.

I didn’t make the required score on my placement test. Can I petition to get into my desired class?

Students should see an advisor to make sure all placement criteria have been considered. Once placement has been determined, the only option that remains to place into a higher level is to retake the placement test to make the required score.

• Developmental and Entry Level Math Placement: https://www.austincc.edu/admissions/tsi-assessment

• Advanced Math Placement for TSI Complete/Exempt Students: https://www.austincc.edu/students/testing-services/advanced-math-assessment

How can I use a prerequisite course from another college?

Send you name, college ID number, the school attended, course number, and course description to the mathematics chair at math@austincc.edu 

I need College Algebra for a science class. Can I substitute a different course?

This is not determined by the math department. Contact the department chair of the science department. 

I took Pre-Calculus in high school, can I take Calculus at ACC?

High school Precalculus does not act as a prerequisite for Calculus at ACC. Students can take a placement test to assess if they are ready for Calculus. Many students who successfully completed a high school Precalculus course place lower than that in our course sequences.

• Advanced Math Placement for TSI Complete/Exempt Students: https://www.austincc.edu/students/testing-services/advanced-math-assessment

I took an AP test in high school but I do not have the scores yet, can I take my desired calculus class?

No, students must be able to show their passing AP score at the beginning of the semester to meet the prerequisites of the course. 

Can I take Calculus I and II concurrently?

No. Calculus I is a prerequisite for Calculus II. All math prerequisites are strictly enforced.  

Registration questions

What happens if I drop my college credit math class?

The consequences for dropping a stand-alone credit math course are the same as those for dropping any college credit course. See https://www.austincc.edu/students/registration/withdrawals for more information.

If you are enrolled in a Corequisite course pairing, you cannot drop one course without being withdrawn automatically from both courses.

What happens if I drop my developmental math class?

Some students who have not been declared "College Ready", or TSI Complete, in math are required to enroll in developmental math courses each semester until College Ready status has been achieved. If that is the case for you, then dropping your developmental math class will cause a hold to placed on your registration the next semester. For more information, see TSI Information.

If you are enrolled in a course pairing, you cannot drop one course without being withdrawn automatically from both courses. If one of the courses in the pairing was being used to satisfy TSI requirements, you may have a hold placed on your registration the next semester.

I want to take two classes whose times overlap just a little bit. Can I get permission to register?

No. Students may not register for overlapping classes. 

The class I want is full. Whom can I contact to be added?

College-credit classes cannot be overloaded. Students should join the waitlist for their desired section. During add/drop periods there is no waitlist, and available seats are filled on a first-come-first-served basis. Instructors cannot override this process, so please do not ask the instructor if you can be added to their section. 

Any extenuating circumstances that arise shortly after the add/drop window should be presented to the Registration Liaison at your campus. Registration liaisons are listed with Math Department Contact Information. 

Note that some courses are not eligible for waitlists. If you don’t see a waitlist option for your preferred section it is most likely for that reason.

I did not pay by the deadline. How can I get added back into my class?

No priority is given to students who did not meet payment deadlines. College level class cannot be overridden. Students should join the waitlist for their desired section. During add/drop periods there is no waitlist and available seats are filled on a first come first served basis. 

Any extenuating circumstances that arise shortly after the add/drop window should be presented to the Registration Liaison at your campus. Registration liaisons are listed with Math Department Contact Information. 

Note that some courses are not eligible for waitlists. If you don’t see a waitlist option for your preferred section it is most likely for that reason.

There are open seats and I am on the waitlist why can’t I register?

Open seats are offered to students in the order that they join the waitlist, other students are ahead of you. See the ACC waitlist page for more information. Note that some courses are not eligible for waitlists. If you don’t see a waitlist option for your preferred section it is most likely for that reason.

I signed up for the only available section of a course, which is not at my preferred campus or time. Can I change sections after adds and drops? 

Once adds and drops are over, students are expected to attend the class they registered for.  Although space sometimes opens up in another section later, changing sections is highly disruptive to the instructor and the student. Students will not be moved to another section for convenience.