First-year students

Several introductory courses at Wayne State University (WSU) are taught with the expectation that the student has attained a certain level of prior knowledge and skill in the subject.

WSU uses both your ACT/SAT scores and Placement tests, which have been designed to ensure that you have the required prior knowledge before taking a class. It is better to be placed into a lower-level course by an examination than to fail a higher-level course for which you are not adequately prepared.

Strive to do your best by reviewing the material on the websites indicated and getting plenty of rest the night before any exams you take. For more information about individual placement exams, see the Placement and competency exams pages.

Determining the course you need

There are three courses typically taken by first-year students that require placement testing: Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Review the chart below to find out which exams are or are not required based on department, program or track. You may also use this printable version of the chart for your convenience, if desired.

Course placement based on ACT or SAT

Your ACT/SAT scores will be used for placement in the appropriate biology and math courses if you provide them as part of your admissions application. ACT/SAT scores cannot be used for chemistry placement. If you have ACT/SAT scores that you did not submit for admission but would like used for placement, please submit these scores to Admissions, admissions@wayne.edu, and they will post your scores for your academic advisor to review.

• If you have satisfied the pre-requisite with your ACT or SAT score, you do not need to take the placement exam. 
• If you did not satisfy the pre-requisite with your ACT or SAT score, you may take the placement exam to try to improve your placement. 
• If you have not taken the ACT or SAT, you must take the placement exam for the required courses.
• Tests must have been taken no more than two years prior to enrollment in the course. If both exams taken or any exam taken more than once, only the most recent will apply.

Biology Placement

Mathematics Placement

Advanced Placement (AP) or College-Level Examination Programs (CLEP)

Some introductory course requirements may be met by AP and CLEP scores. You may not need a placement exam if you have taken one of these exams.

However, AP scores are not published until July, meaning students waiting on AP scores are likely to have already attended orientation and registered for fall semester classes before receiving results. The placement tests can help inform accurate course placement before the AP scores are available. If your AP score places you in a higher course or earns you credit for a course you've enrolled in, you can work with your academic advisor to change your schedule in July and August.

Placement Exam FAQ

Do I need to take placement exams?

• Yes, If you did not submit ACT/SAT scores and need any of the courses listed above.
• Yes, if you submitted ACT/SAT scores and would like to try and improve your placement.
• Yes, if you need to take Chemistry.  ACT/SAT scores will not satisfy chemistry prerequisites
• No, if your ACT/SAT scores satisfy the prerequisite for the course you need.

What if my placement exam scores are worse than the ACT/SAT course placement?

Placement exam scores cannot hurt your placement based on your ACT/SAT. Therefore you should not be concerned about trying to improve and ACT/SAT placement by taking our placement exams.

When should I take the exams?

Ideally you should take your placement exams one to two weeks prior to your Orientation date. This way your results will be available to assist you and your Advisor in planning your schedule.

Why should I take the placement exams now?

The classes that require placement exams are typically taken in your first semesters. Taking the exams for these classes prior to the start of your first semester will ensure that you do so with the subject information still fresh in your mind from your high school classes.

What if I need accommodations?

If you have a documented disability that requires testing accommodations, register with Student Disability Services for coordination of accommodations. Student Disability Services (SDS) is located at 1600 David Adamany Undergraduate Library in the University Advising Center. SDS is available at 313-577-1851 and studentdisability.wayne.edu.

Do not register for any of the dates below before making arrangements with SDS.

What should I bring to the exam?

You must present valid (i.e. not expired) photo identification. The id must be the actual document, not a picture on your phone. Examples of acceptable identification include a Wayne State OneCard, driver's license, passport, or Michigan Personal Identification Card. Your senior year high-school ID is acceptable through the summer, up to the first day of the Fall semester. Examples of unacceptable identification include a Social Security Card, birth certificate, credit card, or any expired ID.

Other required materials to bring will be identified in your registration confirmation email.

Where do I park?

We recommend parking in a University structure. Students are not allowed to leave a test session to add money to a parking meter. Visitor parking structures require payment by credit or one card. Further information is available at maps.wayne.edu and parking.wayne.edu. 

When will I receive my test results?

Results are displayed on the monitor at the conclusion of the exam. An email is sent after they have been posted to your academic record.

The Testing Office must post a Permit to Register in the student records system before you can register for a Biology, Chemistry, or Math course. If more than one week has passed since you received your test results and you are still unable to add your course, please email testing@wayne.edu.

How long are test results valid?

• Biology Placement Exam results are valid for three semesters.
• Chemistry Placement Exam results are valid for four semesters.
• Mathematics Placement Exam results are valid for three semesters.

What if I am not a First-Year Student?

Continuing students and transfer students should talk with their assigned academic advisor to discuss what placement tests are most appropriate for their specific situation.

What if I have more questions?

Any questions about which placement exams you should take or how other test scores or incoming credits might impact your placement should be directed to your assigned academic advisor. Questions regarding how to schedule an exam or exam administration should be directed to the Testing Office at testing@wayne.edu or 313-577-3400.

Placement Exam schedule and how to register

• You must register at least two business days in advance of the test date.
• See the location column; some dates are offered on campus, and others are offered online for students who find it more convenient to test from home.
• Students taking the test online are responsible for their own equipment and internet connections. Click here for further online testing information.  
  • Although multiple exams may be offered, only one exam can be taken at an online administration.
• Multiple exams may be taken at on-campus administrations.
  • Do not register for more than one exam offered at the same time. 
  • Register for any one of the exams offered.
  • Send an email to testing@wayne.edu.  Identify the test and date that you registered for.  Indicate which other test or tests you would like to take that date.  Be sure to include your WSU Access ID in your email, and we recommend that you send your email using your WSU email account.

Once you have determined what you want to register for.

• Click the ASTRO button at the bottom of the page. · The Login requires your WSU AccessID and password. If you do not have these, please contact the Student Service Center.
• Within ASTRO, click the Register for Exams button. Choose your tests and dates.
• Test dates from the schedule below will not appear in ASTRO if they are less that two business in the future or if all available spaces have been filled.
• After you register, a confirmation notice will be sent to your WSU AccessID email.
  • If you do not know how to access this, visit this link: How do I use my WSU AccessID and email?
  • If you do not receive a confirmation notice, please email testing@wayne.edu.
• Between the time you register and the exam day, you may receive additional emails with important updates. Please check your WSU email periodically.
  • For all online testing, the Zoom link and information you need to access the testing platform will be sent to you the evening before your test date.
  • For Biology and Chemistry, online and in-person, an invitation will be sent from Canvas, the university LMS. You can ignore this email.

Testing with Accomodations

If you have a documented disability that requires testing accommodations, do not schedule for one of these dates. You will need to register with Student Disability Services (SDS) for the coordination of these accommodations. The SDS office is located at 1600 David Adamany Undergraduate Library, in the Student Academic Success Services Department. To schedule an appointment, call 313-577-1851. Information about this office can be found at SDS.

Testing Schedule

The testing period (dates listed below) for Winter 2025 plus the next two semesters for Biology and Math, three for Chemistry, have ended.  Dates for Spring/Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 (and Spring/Summer 2026 for Chemistry) will begin at the end of January and will be posted by mid-January.

Note about retesting: Policy allows you to take the Biology and Chemistry placement tests once per semester.  If you take the Biology or Chemistry tests on any of the dates posted below, you would be eligible to test again when the next testing period, beginning in mid-January is offerred.                                        

Mathematics tests are not semester-based and have different retest rules, which will be given at the test administration.