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.

 Department/Program/Track Math Biology Chemistry
 Applied Health Sciences ## varies by concentration required varies by concentration
 Astronomy required not required not required
 Biochemistry required required required
 Biology required required encouraged
 Biomedical Physics required required required
 Chemistry required required required
 Early & Elementary Education required not required not required
 Engineering (all majors) required not required encouraged**
 Engineering Technology required not required not required
 Environmental Science required required encouraged
 Geology required not required encouraged
 Neuroscience required required required
 Nutrition and Food Science required required encouraged
 Physics required not required encouraged
 Pre-Dental required required required
 Pre-Med required required required
 Pre-Medical Laboratory Science required required required
 Pre-Mortuary Science  not required required not required
 Pre-Nursing encouraged required not required
 Pre-Occupational Therapy not required required not required
 Pre-Pathologists' Assistant not required required required
 Pre-Pharmacy required required required
 Pre-Physical Therapy not required required encouraged
 Pre-Physician Assistant not required required encouraged
 Pre-Radiation Therapy Tech required required not required
 Pre-Radiologic Technology required required not required
 Secondary Education, Math required not required not required
 Secondary Education, Science required required required
 ## Consult with an Advisor for concentration requirements.
** Students majoring in Biomedical Engineering are required to take Chemistry placement.
 

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

SAT Reading+Writing+Math

ACT Composite

Placement

1160 or higher

24 or higher

BIO 1500 or BIO 1510

1150 or below

23 or below

BIO 1050

 

Mathematics Placement

SAT math score

ACT math score

Placement

670 or higher

29 or higher

MAT 2010 or lower and STA 2210

620 or higher

26 or higher

MAT 1110, 1120, 1800 or lower

600 or higher

25 or higher

QE is met

530 or higher

21 or higher

MAT 1070 or lower

520 or lower or no SAT

20 or lower or no ACT

MAT 0993, 1000, or STA 1020  

 

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.
  • 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 test dates below can be scheduled through our test registration program, ASTRO, see the directions above. 

Note about retesting: Policy allows you to take the Biology and Chemistry placement tests once per semester.  If you took Biology or Chemistry tests before May 16, you may re-test after May May 16.  Tests taken after May 16 may be repeated during the Fall Semester, after September 9 when testing begins for Winter 2025 classes.

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

Exam Day Date Time Location
Mathematics Monday June 3 10:00 AM online
Biology Tuesday June 4 10:00 AM online
Chemistry Tuesday June 4 10:00 AM online
Biology Wednesday June 5 2:00 PM on campus
Chemistry Wednesday June 5 2:00 PM on campus
Mathematics Wednesday June 5 2:00 PM on campus
Biology Thursday June 6 9:30 AM on campus
Chemistry Thursday June 6 9:30 AM on campus
Mathematics Thursday June 6 9:30 AM on campus
Biology Monday June 10 10:00 AM online
Chemistry Monday June 10 10:00 AM online
Mathematics Monday June 10 2:00 PM online
Biology Wednesday June 12 9:30 AM on campus
Chemistry Wednesday June 12 9:30 AM on campus
Mathematics Wednesday June 12 9:30 AM on campus
Biology Wednesday June 12 2:00 PM on campus
Chemistry Wednesday June 12 2:00 PM on campus
Mathematics Wednesday June 12 2:00 PM on campus
Biology Monday June 17 1:00 PM on campus
Chemistry Monday June 17 1:00 PM on campus
Mathematics Monday June 17 1:00 PM on campus
Biology Thursday June 20 9:30 AM online
Chemistry Thursday June 20 9:30 AM online
Mathematics Thursday June 20 2:00 PM online
Biology Monday June 24 10:00 AM on campus
Mathematics Monday June 24 10:00 AM on campus
Chemistry Monday June 24 1:00 PM on campus
Biology Thursday June 27 9:30 AM online
Chemistry Thursday June 27 9:30 AM online
Mathematics Thursday June 27 2:00 PM online
Biology Monday July 1 10:00 AM on campus
Chemistry Monday July 1 10:00 AM on campus
Mathematics Monday July 1 10:00 AM on campus
Mathematics Tuesday July 2 2:00 PM online
Biology Wednesday July 3 10:00 AM online
Chemistry Wednesday July 3 10:00 AM online
**The Testing and Evaluation Office will be relocating to a new building on campus at the beginning of July. 
We hope to be back in business to admininster exams the week of July 15 and if the dates that week (listed below **)
work best for you, encourage you to register for them.  If we are unable to resume by then, you will be notified as far in advance as possible. 
Mathematics Monday **July 15 2:00 PM online
Biology Tuesday **July 16 10:00 AM online
Chemistry Tuesday **July 16 10:00 AM online
Biology Wednesday **July 17 2:00 PM on campus
Chemistry Wednesday **July 17 2:00 PM on campus
Mathematics Wednesday **July 17 2:00 PM on campus
Mathematics Thursday **July 18 10:00 AM online
Biology Friday **July 19 2:00 PM online
Chemistry Friday **July 19 2:00 PM online
Biology Tuesday July 23 10:00 AM on campus
Chemistry Tuesday July 23 10:00 AM on campus
Mathematics Tuesday July 23 10:00 AM on campus
Mathematics Monday July 29 2:00 PM online
Biology Wednesday July 31 10:00 AM on campus
Chemistry Wednesday July 31 10:00 AM on campus
Mathematics Wednesday July 31 10:00 AM on campus
Biology Monday Aug 5 10:00 AM online
Chemistry Monday Aug 5 10:00 AM online
Mathematics Tuesday Aug 6 2:00 PM online
Biology Friday Aug 9 10:00 AM on campus
Chemistry Friday Aug 9 10:00 AM on campus
Mathematics Friday Aug 9 10:00 AM on campus
Mathematics Tuesday Aug 13 9:30 AM online
Biology Tuesday Aug 13 2:30 PM online
Chemistry Tuesday Aug 13 2:30 PM online
Biology Thursday Aug 15 10:00 AM on campus
Chemistry Thursday Aug 15 10:00 AM on campus
Mathematics Thursday Aug 15 10:00 AM on campus
Biology Monday Aug 19 10:00 AM online
Chemistry Monday Aug 19 10:00 AM online
Mathematics Monday Aug 19 2:00 PM online
Biology Wednesday Aug 21^^ 10:00 AM on campus
Chemistry Wednesday Aug 21^^ 10:00 AM on campus
Mathematics Wednesday Aug 21^^ 10:00 AM on campus
Biology Friday Aug 23^^ 10:00 AM on campus
Chemistry Friday Aug 23^^ 10:00 AM on campus
Mathematics Friday Aug 23^^ 10:00 AM on campus

^^ on these dates, if you cannot report at 10:00 you can report later, between 11:00 and 1:00 and still be tested.  

Do not register for these through ASTRO, send an email to testing@wayne.edu explaining in detail what you would like to do.                

 

Use ASTRO to register once you have read and understand the instructions above.