In my opinion, placement should not be dictated by MAP scores alone. The more important question is, have you already taken Algebra 1 (either at school or self-studied with an Algebra 1 text or class)? If you have not, then you may benefit from learning the entire course, regardless of your MAP score. Your algebra knowledge and skills form the basis for the rest of math to come.
If you have learned the entirety of Algebra 1 already (including the quadratic equation and so forth), then you might ask your teacher whether you could test out of the course by taking the Algebra 1 final exam (or perhaps at least testing out of the "Algebra 1 - First Half - 7th grade).
(Personally, I don't see anything wrong with teaching yourself or brushing up on some topics at home to fill in any holes before testing out of the course.)
Good luck!
Last edited by snowgirl; 09/22/14 10:18 AM.
