Transitional Academic Studies (TRAC) at The University of Memphis permits students to enroll in prescribed courses to develop the academic competencies necessary for success in college level courses. Major components of the program include testing and placement in appropriate level courses. 

Placement
Students admitted to The University of Memphis as beginning freshmen will be placed in appropriate English, math, and reading, courses based on ACT subscores that are less than 3 years old. 

• Students with ACT reading subscores below 19 are required to enroll in ACAD 1100.
• Students with ACT English subscores below 18 are required to enroll in prescribed English courses.

If students feel they have been misplaced by their ACT subscores in English and reading, they may take the COMPASS test to attempt to place in a higher level course.

• All students, regardless of their ACT math subscore, are required to take the ALEKS placement exam for math.

Students without ACT scores will be required to take the COMPASS placement test to determine if they have the appropriate academic skills to successfully complete college level courses. Depending on the results of this test, students may be required to take one or more prescribed courses. The following regulations regarding placement tests and course enrollment will apply:

COMPASS testing is required of students whose ACT (SAT) scores are more than 3 years old, transfer students with no college level credit in English, non-degree seeking students before enrollment in English, and students with no ACT/SAT scores.

ALEKS testing is required of transfer students with no college level credit in math, and non-degree seeking students before enrollment in a math course.

Students must successfully complete prescribed course requirements before enrolling in the next level course. 

Enrollment in any prescribed course is restricted to students who have been placed by their ACT subscores or who have taken the appropriate placement test. Self-placement without testing is not permitted.

ALEKS - Math Placement Exam
The University of Memphis requires the Math Placement Exam through ALEKS to assess a student's prerequisite knowledge for course placement. ALEKS is a powerful artificial-intelligence based assessment tool that zeros in on the strengths and weaknesses of a student's mathematical knowledge, reports its findings to the student, and then if necessary provides the student with a learning environment for bringing this knowledge up to an appropriate level for course placement.

Please visit the ALEKS website for more information.

Academic Advising
Students requiring prescribed courses should be advised in the Academic Counseling Center, 212 Wilder Tower.

Courses
Students with ACT reading subscores below 19 are required to enroll in ACAD 1100. 

Students with ACT English subscores below 18 are required to enroll in prescribed English courses.  Students must check with their advisor to determine which English course is appropriate for them.

Students will be placed in a math course based on the results of the ALEKS placement exam.  Students must check with their advisor to determine which college level math course is appropriate for them.