Pre-2018 Mathematics
Mathematics Placement Exam, Course Placement and Quantitative Experience before May 8, 2018
This version has been discontinued. The information below is for your reference if you tested before May 8, 2018. Please see our current site if you wish to test now.
Mathematics course placement before May 8
All students who plan to take MAT 0995, 1000, 1050, 1110, 1120, 1500, 1800, 2010, 2210 or STA 1020 as their first mathematics course at Wayne State University (WSU) must place into the course according to the policies of the WSU Department of Mathematics. To determine the best course or test to take, students should consult with an academic advisor.
ACT, SAT and the Mathematics Placement Exam (MPE) can be used for placement in mathematics. If there is a discrepancy between a valid MPE score and the most recent valid ACT or SAT math score, the higher placement will be used.
What Makes an ACT, SAT or MPE Placement Score Valid (Validated) prior to March, 2018?
- ACT or SAT If you have taken the ACT and/or SAT more than once, only the most recent score will be considered, regardless of whether it is the ACT or the SAT. However, if the most recent ACT and/or SAT scores were taken during the same month and year, the highest score will be used. For MAT 0995, 1050, 1110, 1120, 1500, 1800 or 2010 using an ACT or SAT Math score will be valid for two years from the date the exam was taken or one year from when coursework was started, whichever expires first. The policy limiting the score to being used in the first year of coursework was discontinued March, 2018. For MAT 2210 the score does not expire.
- Math Placement Exam For MAT 0995, 1050, 1110, 1120, 1500, 1800, and 2010, scores will be honored for three semesters: the semester for which the examination was taken and the two semesters immediately following. For the purposes of counting, there are three semesters: Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer. For MAT 2210 the score does not expire.
- Transfer Credit The Math Department does not take transfer credit to act as a prerequisite for the following courses MAT 0995, 1050, 1110, 1120, 1500, 1800 or 2010. For all other courses the Math Department will accept transfer credit.
- Quantitative Experience Starting in Fall 2018, math courses other than MAT 1050 and higher that meet the Quantitative Experience general education requirement do not have prerequisites. Examples are MAT 1000 and STA 1020.
Course Placement Using an American College Test (ACT) Math Score or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) Math Score 1,2
| ACT Math Score | Old SAT Math Score | New SAT Math Score (March 2016) | Placement through Summer 2018 | Placement Fall 2018 and after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 or higher | 650 or higher | 670 or higher | MAT 2210, 2010 or lower | MAT 2210, 2010 or lower |
| 26 or higher | 600 or higher | 620 or higher | MAT 1110, 1120, 1500, 1800 or lower | MAT 1110, 1120, 1500, 1800 or lower |
| 25 or higher | 580 or higher | 600 or higher | Quantitative Experience general education requirement is met | Quantitative Experience general education requirement is met |
| 21 or higher | 500 or higher | 530 or higher | MAT 0995, 1050 or lower | MAT 0995, 1050 or lower |
| 18 or higher | 450 or higher | 490 or higher | MAT 1000, STA 1020 | MAT 0993, 1000, or STA 1020 (These courses do not require any placement to enroll.) |
| Below 18 | Below 450 | Below 490 | MAT 0993 (This course does not require any placement to enroll.) |
1. The course you should choose is determined by your intended major. Please consult an academic advisor.
2. See "What Makes an ACT, SAT or MPE Placement Score Valid (Validated)?" above this chart for restrictions to placement.
Course placement by WSU Mathematics Placement Examination (MPE)
Any student who does not place into a MAT course using an ACT or SAT Math score as described above must take the MPE to determine MAT course placement. Students are also welcome to take the exam if they have taken the ACT and/or SAT, if they would like to attempt to place into a higher course.
The MPE may only be taken twice. Students should enroll in the course they are placed into the first time they take the test. However, all students may take the test one additional time within six months of the first attempt. After two attempts at the examination, students must enroll in the course into which they are placed within three semesters.
Course placement using WSU Mathematics Placement Examination (MPE) prior to May 8
Scores indicate the number of items correctly answered. Each problem is worth 1 point.
| Exam Results | WSU Math Placement |
|---|---|
| MPE Part A, B & C score of 38 or higher, and MPE Part C score of 5 or higher | MAT 2010 or lower, or 2210 |
| MPE Part A & B score of 26 or higher, and MPE Part B score of 5 or higher OR MPE Part A, B and C score of 31 or higher and MPE score Part B of 5 or higher | MAT 1110, 1120, 1500, 1800 or lower |
| MPE Part A & B score of 19 or higher, or MPE Part A score of 14 or higher | MAT 0995, 1000, 1050, or STA 1020, or lower |
| MPE below 14 for Part A, or MPE below 19 for Part A and B, or MPE below 23 for Part A, B, and C | MAT 0900 or 0993 (These two courses do not require any placement to enroll.) |
Restrictions:
- The MPE must be taken before classes begin for the semester in which you plan to take the course.
- For MAT 1000 and STA 1020 placement only, scores will be honored for six semesters: the semester for which the examination was taken and the five semesters immediately following. For all other MAT courses, scores will be honored for three semesters: the semester for which the examination was taken and the two semesters immediately following. For the purposes of counting, there are three semesters: Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer.
- If you have taken the MPE more than once, only the highest valid test score will be considered.
If you place into a course below the level that you had expected, you may either take the lower level course or study independently and retake the examination if you are eligible to do so.
Once you have taken the examination, your results and placement are sent to your WSU email address and posted online at stars.wayne.edu under the Tests sub-heading.
Course placement using a combination of ACT and MPE prior to May 8
If you have a valid ACT Math score on record, it will automatically be used in combination with your MPE score, and it may qualify you for a WSU mathematics course for which your MPE score alone would be insufficient. If you have taken the ACT more than once, only the most recent score will be considered. The SAT Math score cannot be used in combination with the MPE score.
Examination results/repeats
The MPE results you receive will list the math course(s) you are eligible to take within the time period specified. You may only take the MPE two times. A second attempt must be completed within six months of the first attempt.
Rescheduling, refunds, and fees
1. You may reschedule a test registration a maximum of three times per fee payment.
2. Refunds are available if they are requested 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 one calendar year.
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/ .