Math Guided Self-Placement Tool

Welcome to your math journey at Red Rocks!

Proper placement is vital for your success. Instead of a traditional placement test, this tool helps you actively participate in selecting a course that is right for you. It considers your current math ability, your confidence level, and the type of degree or career you are pursuing.

You may take the assessment up to 5 times in your first semester. We use the highest score for placement. 

We use MyOpenMath, a free online platform, to deliver the Guided Self-Placement assessment. You will need an account. Follow the video or written instructions below to create a MyOpenMath account. 

Follow these steps to create an account:

1. Go to MyOpenMath

2. Click "Register as a new student"

3. Your username is your S#, including the S. (Example: S02143545)

4. Choose a password you will remember, then confirm the password

5. Enter your first name and last name

6. Enter your student email address (@student.cccs.edu), or a personal email if you do not have one

7. Leave the notification box checked, check that you are 13 or older, and check to agree to the terms

8. Leave the dropdown menu as “My teacher gave me a course ID (enter below)”

9. Enter the Guided Self-Placement Course ID: 267822 

10. Enter the Enrollment Key: RRCC-25-26-GSP

11. Click "Sign up"

12. Click on “return to the login page” and login with your new username and password 

Once logged in:

1. On the left menu, under “Courses you’re taking”, click on “RRCC Math Guided Self-Placement”

2. Click “Start the Math Guided Self-Placement"

The Guided Self-Placement assessment tool has four sections:

• Learning how to input answers in MyOpenMath
• Math content questions  
• Confidence, study habits, and your past experiences in school and math
• How to end the assessment and get your placement score 

Ending the placement assessment and getting your score: 

1. Click on Submit and End

2. A new page will open. Click on "Review work in gradebook"

3. A new page will open. Eight lines down, find "Score in Gradebook: X/150"

4. Write down the X number. (In this example, 74.3)

5. Scroll down to see which questions you missed

6. Click on the key icon to see the correct answer 

Your GSP score will be entered automatically into the system by the college. (It is usually fast but can take up to 48 hours.) You may take the assessment up to 5 times in your first semester. We use the highest score for placement.

Now that you have assessed your math skills and study habits, let’s look at what you want to study!

Click on Academic Programs and Areas of Study to learn about the academic programs and areas of study (degree and career pathways) at Red Rocks Community College. 

1. Scroll down to find the list of links to different programs and areas of study

2. Click on a program or area of study that interests you

3. Each program or area of study may have subprograms; click on one that interests you

4. If there is only one degree or certificate, it will list the required courses

5. If more than one degree or certificate is offered, click on the degree or certificate that interests you

6. Look for a required course that begins with MAT. In general, you will choose the lowest-numbered course if several MAT courses are listed with “or” in between

7. There may not be a required MAT course for your program or area of study

8. If a MAT course is required, write down the course number, such as MAT 1340

9. Return to the Guided Self-Placement webpage

Use your Guided Self-Placement (GSP) score to find your required math pathway. Write down your math pathway to share with your Pathway Advisor.

If you need MAT 1140 (Career Math):

If you need:

• MAT 1220 Integrated Math I OR
• MAT 1230 Integrated Math II OR
• MAT 1240 Math for Liberal Arts OR
• MAT 1260 Introduction to Statistics

* See Section 7: Alternate Placement Options for ways to place into MAT 1240 or MAT 1260 without the support course. See FAQ for more information on support courses MAT 0240 or MAT 0260. 

If you need MAT 1320 (Finite Mathematics): 

If you need MAT 1340 (College Algebra):

* See Section 7: Alternate Placement Options for ways to place into MAT 1340 without the support course MAT 0340. See FAQ for more information on support courses.

What if you did not place directly in your required course, but you feel strongly that you are ready? Are there other ways to be placed into your required math course?

Yes! If you meet the requirements for one of the following, you can be placed directly into the required course.  

• Appropriate SAT or ACT Math score
• Appropriate Accuplacer score  
• Appropriate high school GPA AND appropriate high school math courses
• Prior college credit (previous math courses)  
• Advising conversation with the Math Department Chair

We recommend that you meet with your Pathway Advisor. Go to the Advising webpage and find the advisor(s) for your program pathway and make an appointment. Share your results, finalize your academic plan, and register for class.

While recommended, meeting with a Pathway Advisor is not required. Once your GSP score is registered into the system by the college, you will be able to register for courses. (It is usually fast but can take up to 48 hours.) You will be sent an email when you are able to register.