Students needing the Intermediate Math Placement Exam (for placement into math courses up to and including precalculus) can find the dates, times and locations on the Testing Services calendar. No preregistration is required, but you should arrive early since spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. The $25.00 fee for the test will be billed to your student account. Please bring photo ID, WSU student ID number, social security number and some sharpened #2 pencils to the test. Calculators are not allowed for the test.

The ALEKS placement test (for students wishing to place into a precalculus or calculus course) will be offered during the week before classes start and the first week of classes. To see exam dates and times, please click here.

Mathematics Placement Exam
We want you to do well in your mathematics classes at Washington State University. A first step is to enroll in math classes for which you are prepared.

What math courses do I need to take?
Each undergraduate at WSU must pass a designated math course as part of the General Education Requirement. Courses taken at other colleges may fulfill this requirement, but transfer credit must be officially approved. Course equivalencies information for colleges in Washington and selected colleges out of state may be found at http://www.wsu.edu/advise/transfer-courses. You may also wish to consult a WSU catalog for math requirements in your intended field.

Which math courses may I take?
This depends on your score on one of several possible tests or what prerequisite courses you have taken.

  1. Entering Freshmen. WSU accepts scores from any of the following tests:
  1. Continuing Students. Many college courses assume background from a previous course (or courses) and list that course (or courses) as prerequisite(s) for enrolling in the given course. Consult the current Washington State University Catalog for a complete listing of courses offered and their prerequisites. Most mathematics courses require a C grade or better in all prerequisites. Occasionally, a course will have more than one prerequisite, in which case, all prerequisites need to be satisfied.
  2. Transfer Students. In order to place you correctly and enhance your chances for success, we strongly advise that all transfer students wishing to enroll in a math course take a math placement test. If you do not score high enough on the placement test, you may still qualify to remain enrolled in the math course based on the quantitative SAT score or math course(s) which transfer as an equivalent to a prerequisite(s) for the course. Transfer credit equivalencies for many institutions can be found at the following web site: http://www.wsu.edu/advise/transfer-courses. The WSU Mathematics Department does not have access to all your academic records. Thus, we recommend that you have these documents available before enrolling in math classes at WSU.
Important information about algebra courses
Washington State University no longer offers Math 100, Math 101 or Math 103. Intermediate Algebra (the transfer equivalent to Math 101) or a proper placement score is the minimum requirement for enrollment in any WSU math course. Students whose Math Placement Test score, quantitative SAT score, or ACT mathematics score is not sufficient for placement may choose instead to complete the prerequisite course on the Pullman campus through Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC). An additional tuition charge must be paid to SFCC at the time of enrollment. Information can be found at http://www.iel.spokane.edu/mla/. This course does not offer credit towards graduation at WSU. Students may also opt to complete the prerequisite math course at another community college or university during the summer.

The Mathematics Placement Test

There are two types of placement tests: intermediate or advanced. Students planning to enroll in Math 105, 107, 201, 202, 205, 206, 212 or 251 may take either the intermediate or the advanced test. Students planning to enroll in Math 140 or 171 must take the advanced test. A $25.00 fee is charged each time the test is taken. Those who are not satisfied with their placement test score may retake the test, but only one retake per year at each level (intermediate and advanced) is allowed.

The Intermediate version covers intermediate algebra, and the Advanced version covers precalculus topics such as intermediate algebra and trigonometry. You are encouraged to review relevant material before taking the test. We have two web sites we recommend you visit.

This first web site has the ability to supply many different problems for various fundamental math concepts, as well as review material. This would be a good beginning place to review concepts, however it is recommended that you also look at the old exams available at the second web site, as the review material may not be exhaustive.

The second web site has one practice test for each of the Advanced or Intermediate Math Placement tests as well as information about test dates, locations (other than WSU) and topics covered.

For more information about test dates, location and registration, click here.

Verifying prerequisites. Currently, you may be allowed to register for any math course for which the prerequisites are not satisfied. In order to ensure that you have satisfied prerequisites and consequently are in a position to pass the course for which you registered, the Mathematics Department will run a prerequisite check before the semester starts. Unfortunately, the check does not identify transfer credit or College Board AP scores. If the prerequisite check indicates that you may not be eligible for the course in which you are enrolled, you will receive notice from you instructor during the first week of class. That notice will give you detailed instructions on how to provide documentation of your prerequisites and the dates by which the documentation must be submitted. If a notice is sent to your instructor and you do not submit documentation, then you will be dropped from the class.

An important note about ACT scores. The ACT score available in your WSU records is not broken down into components, and only the mathematics component is considered for math placement. If you wish to use yourr ACT math score for math placement you must provide the Department of Mathematics with a copy of your ACT score report.


The testing score result or prerequisite course completion that places you in the best position on the WSU Math Course Eligibility Chart is the one that determines your course eligibility.
 

WSU Math Eligibility Chart (Effective beginning Fall 2009)

Note that math placement, SAT and ACT scores are only valid for one year.

Continuing students enrolled prior to Fall 2009 please click here.

WSU Math 
Course 
Eligibility


ALEKS(1) Math Placement Test 
SAT 
Math		 ACT 
Math (2)		 College Board 
A.P. AB Test (3)		 Prerequisite  Course Completion
(minimum grade of C required)
Interm. Adv.

105 Exploring Mathematics
205, 212 Basic Stat, Stat Intro		 NA
 15
 10
 500 18
 NA Math 101 or Math 103 (4)
106
College Algebra
 40
 18
 11
 550
 20
 NA Math 101 or Math 103 (4)
107
Precalculus		 50
 23
 14
 580 24
 NA Math 101 or Math 103 (4)
108
Trigonometry
 50
 23
 14
 580
 24
 NA
 Math 106
201
Finite Math
 50
 20
 12
 530
 22
 NA
 Math 101 or Math 103 (4)
251 
K-6 Teacher's Math		 NA
 20
 12
 530 22
 NA Math 101 or Math 103 (4)
202
Business Calc
 70
 30
 18
 650 28
 2 Math 201
206
Arch. Calc
 70
 30
 18
 650
 28
 2
 Math 107 or
both Math 106 and Math 108
140, 171 
Bio Calc, Calc I		 70
 NA 20
 680 30
 2 Math 107 or
both Math 106 and Math 108
172 
Calc II		 NA
  NA  NA  NA  NA 3 or higher Math 171
NA - Not Applicable

(1) The ALEKS Assessment of Preparedness for Calculus will be given to calculus-track students attending Summer Alive 2009.
(2) A copy of the ACT score report must be provided for the Department of Mathematics in order to use ACT scores for placement.
(3) Listed are criteria for entry into the class, not class credit. Student must provide documentation to the Department of Mathematics.
(4) These are no longer offered at WSU. However, the equivalent of Math 101 is offered on the Pullman campus through Spokane Falls Community College. For more information visit http://www.iel.spokane.edu/mla/.

If you have further questions, check the Math Placement Frequently Asked Questions page.

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