The Virginia Community College System no longer uses the Virginia Placement Test (VPT) to determine readiness for college-level math for most students.  (Some students may be required to take the VPT.) 

Recent High School Graduates 

New students who graduated from a U.S. high school within the last 5 years have their placement determined by their high school GPA and course work.  Visit the direct enrollment page  and click on the "Advising Survey for Direct Enrollment" link (green button).

"Non-Traditional" Students 

New students who graduated from a U.S. high school more than 5 years ago. You may enroll in the entry-level course that is right for you. Visit the direct enrollment page  and click on the "Advising Survey for Informed Self-Placement" link (green button).

Continuing NOVA Students  

Students who have already started their math course work at NOVA should continue along that path.  Current students who have not yet started any math at NOVA should complete the survey found on the direct enrollment page .

MTH 154 is Quantitative Reasoning.  To be successful in this course, students should be comfortable with algebra I and II concepts and should have good reading comprehension skills. 

You can find a detailed description here: MTH 154 Course Content Summary 

MTH 154 is an appropriate math course for the following popular programs of study at NOVA.  (Some may also require MTH 245 as a second math course.) 

Cinema A.F.A.
Cybersecurity A.A.S.
Administration of Justice, A.A.S.
Business Management, A.A.S.
General Studies A.S. (depending on transfer intentions)
Liberal Arts  A.A.
Social Sciences, A.S.

MTH 161 is Precalculus I, a 3-credit course.  Some programs of study require both MTH 161 and 162.  MTH 167 is a 5-credit, fast-paced precalculus course that covers the content in both 161 and 162. Precalculus builds upon an algebra foundation, so students should have strong Algebra I and II skills, as well as good reading comprehension skills.

Here are some typical math paths:
MTH 161 -> MTH 261
MTH 161 -> MTH 162 à MTH 263
MTH 167 -> MTH 263

You can find detailed descriptions here:
MTH 161 Course Content Summary 
MTH 167 Course Content Summary 

Precalculus is an appropriate math course for the following programs of study at NOVA.  Some programs may require taking MTH 161.  Some may require MTH 161 followed by MTH 162, or taking MTH 167.  Programs that require precalculus typically also require MTH 261 (Applied Calculus I) or MTH 263 (Calculus I).

Business Administration A.S.
Computer Science A.S.
Information Technology A.S.
Science A.S.
Engineering A.S.

This list does not include all programs of study at NOVA.  The math requirements are based on the 2020-2021 catalog. If you are unsure about the math requirements for your program of study, you should consult the catalog and reach out to an advisor.

MTH 111 and MTH 133 are specialty courses. These courses are not intended for transfer to four-year institutions.

MTH 111 is intended for students who are in some career and technical fields/degree programs.  Students should check degree requirements before enrolling in this course.

You can find detailed descriptions here: MTH 111 Course Content Summary  

MTH 133 is specifically intended for students pursuing the Vet Tech program of study . 

You can find detailed descriptions here: MTH 133 Course Content Summary 

Depending on your placement (see section above), you may be permitted to take MTH 154. You may want to consider taking developmental math (MDE 10) before attempting MTH 154.  Or, you may decide that you want to enroll in a support course (MDE 54) alongside MTH 154.

MDE 10 (Introductory Algebra) helps students prepare for MTH 154 with MDE 54.  MDE 10 is a 3-credit developmental level course. Students can take MDE 10 before taking MTH 154 with MDE 54.

MDE 54 (Support for MTH 154) is a 3-credit support course that students take alongside paired sections of MTH 154.  Students receive extra support to help them success in MTH 154.

To help you decide, check out this questionnaire.  

Depending on your placement (see section above), you may be permitted to take MTH 161 or MTH 167.

You may want to consider taking developmental math (MDE 60) before attempting MTH 161.  Or, you may decide that you want to enroll in a support course (MDE 61) alongside MTH 161.

MDE 60 (Intermediate Algebra) helps students prepare for MTH 161 with MDE 61.  MDE 60 is a 3-credit developmental level course. Students can take MDE 60 before taking MTH 161 with MDE 61.  Some students may want to take MDE 10 prior to taking MDE 60.

MDE 61 (Support for MTH 161) is a 3-credit support course that students take alongside paired sections of MTH 161.  Students receive extra support to help them success in MTH 161.

To help you decide, check out this questionnaire.  

Note that MTH 167 is a fast-paced 5-credit math course.  Students who enroll in this course should have a strong algebra foundation.

Depending on your placement (see section above), you may be permitted to take MTH 111 or MTH 133.

You may want to consider taking developmental math MDE 10 (Introductory Algebra) before attempting MTH 111 or MTH 133.

MDE 10 helps students develop the skills to be successful in MTH 111 or MTH 133.  MDE 10 is a 3-credit developmental level course. Students can take MDE 10 before taking either MTH 111 or MTH 133.

To help you decide, check out this questionnaire.  

Depending on your placement, you may be eligible for placement into higher-level math courses. Review this table for more information. Recent high school graduates (within the last five years) will need to provide a copy of their transcript. Students who have previously enrolled in a math class at another college or university will need to provide placement documentation from that institution or a copy of their transcript. If you need assistance, contact your advisor or Virtual Student Services.