About placement testing

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 websites indicated and getting plenty of rest the night before your exam(s). 

Determining the exam you need 

There are three courses typically taken by first-year students that require placement testing: Biology, Chemistry,  and Mathematics. This chart identifies which exams are or are not required, based on Department/Program/Track.

Course placement based on ACT or SAT below:

• ACT and SAT scores may be used to satisfy your prerequisites; see the charts below. 
• 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. 
• "New SAT" refers to any SAT test taken on or after March 2016.

Biology

• Students whose program requires biology (see this chart) and who took the ACT or SAT before August 2021 should register to take the Biology Placement Exam. 
• For clarification about your requirement, contact Academic Advising. 
• Supplemental instruction is available for BIO 1500. 

April Test Dates 

Chemistry

ACT/SAT scores can not be used for Chemistry placement. Please consult this chart for majors which require the Chemistry Placement Exam.

April Test Dates

Mathematics

• Students whose program requires math (see this chart) and who took the ACT or SAT before August 2021 should register to take the Mathematics Placement Exam. 
• For clarification about your requirement, contact Academic Advising. 
• Additional information is available from the Math Department.

April Test Dates

Notes about English

All students must demonstrate competence in basic English composition prior to completing thirty credits by completing the course ENG 1020, Introductory College Writing.

Students not ready for ENG 1020 should begin with ENG 1010 Basic Writing.

The ACT/SAT chart will identify where you should begin.

If you did not take ACT/SAT or believe your ACT/SAT scores do not reflect your ability, the English Department had this free self-assessment to help you decide.

Students can also demonstrate competence in basic composition by:

• Earning credit for basic composition through Advanced Placement, CLEP, or International Baccalaureate; OR
• Transferring credit received for completing a comparable course with a grade of C or better at another college or university.

Writing support for students is available at the Writing, Research, and Technology Zone. 

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I take my placement exams?

We strongly encourage students to take placement exams beginning as early as possible for students who plan to start in the fall semester. This way, subject information is still fresh in your mind from high school. At the latest, you should test at least two weeks prior to your orientation date. Placement is critical to ensure you enroll in the appropriate courses for your degree and have the most course choices available at registration. 

Click here for April placement dates

How much does it cost to take a placement exam?

All incoming first-year students can take each placement exam one time during their first year at no cost. If you choose to repeat any exams or wait to test until after your first year, you will need to pay for the placement exam. Information about exam fees can be found at www.testing.wayne.edu.

How do I sign up for a placement exam?

Special registration for orientation attendees is recommended. May orientation attendees will be sent registration information in early March. 

What if I already submitted my ACT/SAT test scores?

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 advisor to review.

Can I take placement tests even if I submit ACT/SAT scores?

Yes. You are welcome to take placement tests even if you submitted ACT/SAT scores if you wish to.

I took one or more Advanced Placement (AP) Exams and am waiting on my scores. Should I still take placement tests?

 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.

Which Advanced Placement test scores earn credit at WSU is included here: AP, CLEP and IB tests - Transfer Credit - Wayne State University

How 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. 

What if I take a placement exam and my score is worse than where I placed on the ACT/SAT?

Chemistry does not use ACT/SAT scores for placement, so you should take the placement exam.

For math, as long as your ACT/SAT score is less than 2 years old, taking the math placement exam cannot hurt your placement, as your highest score on either exam will be used.

For biology, students with an ACT/SAT score on file with WSU will receive a placement but can consult with a biology department advisor about their specific situation and placement goals.

I received my test results, but the registration system will not allow me to sign up for the course. What should I do?
The Testing Office must post a Permit to Register in the student records system before you can register for a Biology, Chemistry, English, 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 the 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 can I use for identification when I test?
Acceptable identification must have a current photograph or physical description and be valid (i.e., not expired). Examples of acceptable identification include a Wayne State OneCard, driver's license, passport, or Michigan Personal Identification Card.  Examples of unacceptable identification include a Social Security Card, birth certificate, credit card, or any expired ID.

I have a disability that requires special accommodations for testing. How do I arrange this?
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.

How do I get to campus, and 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.  

If I still have questions, how do I contact your office?
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.

What if I am not a first-year student? What placement exams should I take?

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

April Placement Exam Schedule for students attending New Student Orientation in May

The following test dates are recommended for students attending New Student Orientation in May.  Note that some dates are offered in person for students wanting to come to campus, and others are offered online for students who find it more convenient to test from home.

• Please register for no more than one of each placement exam. Also, be careful not to register for two exams at the same time. If you would like to take more than one test in a day, please email testing@wayne.edu.
• Please click on the links below to register for the test time you prefer.
  • Click the RSVP Now button to sign up.
  • Login requires a WSU AccessID and password.  If you do not have these, please contact the Student Service Center.
  • 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 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.

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.