Biology

This is a test for placement into WSU Biology classes, NOT for course credit. If you are interested in credit by exam, please visit the CLEP page for more information.

The purpose of the Biology Placement Exam is to determine appropriate course placement for introductory biology coursework.  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. Placement tests 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. Prepare to do your best by reviewing the material on the web sites indicated and getting plenty of rest the night before your exam(s).  

The American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores in reading, writing, and mathematics are used to determine placement into BIO 1050, 1500 or 1510. 

Restrictions:

1. The ACT or SAT scores used may not be from an exam taken more than two years prior to enrollment in the course.

2. If you have taken the ACT and/or SAT more than once, only the most recent score will be considered. If the most recent ACT and/or SAT scores were taken during the same month and year, the highest score will be used.

Students who have not taken the ACT or SAT, OR whose ACT or SAT scores are more than two years old, OR who wish to improve on their placement, may take the Biology Placement Exam. 

About the exam

The Biology Placement Exam is a computer-based, 40-item multiple-choice test timed for 60 minutes. No aids are permitted. You may take the Biology Placement Exam only once per semester, and examination results are valid for three semesters. The examination content is based on a one-year high school biology course that included a laboratory. Resources to help you prepare for the exam are available at https://clas.wayne.edu/biology/programs/placement.

• Students whose program requires biology (see this chart) and who did not take the ACT or SAT or who tested more than two years ago must register to take the Biology Placement Exam. 

• For clarification about your requirement, contact Academic Advising. 

• Supplemental instruction is available for BIO 1500. 

Examination schedule

On-Campus Administrations

1. On campus administrations will be held at the location identified in your registration confirmation email.
2. More than one exam can be taken at on-campus administrations, see schedule for notes.
3. Students should not expect any other notifications, but should check their WSU Access ID email the day before their test for possible announcements.

Online administrations

1. Online administrations are offered as a convenience for students who cannot come to campus. Students who can come to campus are encouraged to take on-campus administrations.
2. Online administrations are proctored via Zoom.
3. Students registered for online administrations will be sent instructions and the Zoom link to their WSU Access ID email address by 6:00 p.m. the day before the exam. Monday administrations will be sent the directions on Friday.
4. If directions are not received by this time, send an email to testing@wayne.edu that evening so that the office can deal with it first thing in the morning.
5. Students taking the test online are responsible for their own equipment and internet connections.  An incomplete test due to failure of equipment or connection will still be considered an actual attempt and in most cases cannot be accommodated for with a retest or other considerations. Click here for further online testing information

Important Scheduling Notes

1. The dates listed below are the offered exams this testing period and, except where noted are open to all students.
2. Within the test registration program, ASTRO, dates will not appear if they have been filled or registration has closed.  It is recommended that you identify multiple desired dates from this list before going to ASTRO.
3. At 10:00 on campus administrations, you can take multiple exams, possibly up to all three placements; Biology, Chemistry and Math.  At 2:00 on campus administrations you can take both Biology and Chemistry. DO NOT register for more than one exam on the same date/time. Register for as many exams as you need on separate dates. On your test date you can then request the other  exams and your scheduled dates will be adjusted.
4. Within the test registration program, ASTRO, you may see several online 4:00 p.m. administrations that do not appear in the list below.  These administrations are restricted for new first-year students starting in the fall of 2024. Please do not register for any of those dates if that identification does not apply to you. Improper registrations for those dates are subject to cancellation.

Testing for Winter 2025 classes ended December 19.  Please contact Biology Department Advising, https://clas.wayne.edu/biology, for questions about Winter classes.

Testing for Spring/Summer classes will begin at the end of January.  Dates will be posted and registration will be available in mid-January. 

How to register for an examination

Go to the online registration program, ASTRO, to choose your dates. You will either be required to pay the $25.00 fee with a credit or debit card or will be identified as being under the new student fee waiver program. Paying students will receive an email receipt and all students will receive a registration confirmation. 

• You should receive your receipt immediately. There may be a delay of up to one hour to receive your registration confirmation.
• If you do not receive your receipt immediately, wait at least one hour before attempting to submit your payment again.
• The registration confirmation will be sent to your WSU email address. If it does not appear in your inbox, check your junk or spam folders.
  • The registration confirmation will come from testeval@wayne.edu
  • DO NOT reply to this email.
• If you have not received this confirmation more than one hour after receiving the receipt, or have any questions, send an email to testing@wayne.edu.

Prior to and on the day of the examination 

• For online administrations, you will be sent detailed instructions by 6:00 p.m. the day before the exam.
  • These instructions will be sent to your WSU access ID email address. If you do not find them in your inbox, check your Junk or Spam folders.
  • If you have not receieved them send an email to testing@wayne.edu and they will be resent the morning of the exam. 
• For on-campus administrations, be sure to have your identification with you
• For both administration types, the test will be administered through the Canvas Learning Management System.  You log into this system using your own WSU Access ID and password. 

Rescheduling and refunds

1. You may reschedule a test registration a maximum of three times per fee payment.
   1. To reschedule log into ASTRO, select My Exams
   2. Exams available for reschedule will be presented, select the exam and date you want.
   3. An upcoming test reschedule can be made the day before the test and the day after the test, but not the day of the test.
   4. We do not recommend using the postpone option within ASTRO.
2. A refund can be processed only if it is made before the day of the examination. Requests for refunds made on or after the examination date, or after the third reschedule, cannot be honored.
3. Examination fees not rescheduled or refunded are subject to forfeiture after three months.
4. Test fees are subject to change without notice.

Special accommodations

If you have a documented disability that requires testing accommodations, you will need to register with Student Disability Services for coordination of these accommodations. The Student Disability Services (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 SDS can be found at http://studentdisability.wayne.edu/ .