Mathematics

Important Changes to Math Placement Testing

The Math Department is excited to announce important changes to the Math Placement Test.  Beginning on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 we will no longer be using the ALEKs placement test; instead, we will return to the WSU Math Department Placement Exam.   This change will undoubtedly result in students being better placed into their first math class at WSU.

Here’s how it will work.   We will hold several “testing windows” during the course of the school year.   These will be held at the following times:

• The week before classes begin and until the end of the add period in the fall
• The week before advising in the fall
• The week after advising in the fall
• The week before classes begin and until the end of the add period in the spring
• The week before advising in the spring
• The week after advising in the spring

First, please check with your advisor to verify if your major or minor has a course that requires the math placement exam. In general, students in the following majors DO NOT need to take the placement exam: Art, Communication, Criminal Justice, Education Studies, English, History, Liberal Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish, Theatre, Urban Studies, Visual Performing Arts.  Students in these majors can register themselves for MA105 (Survey of Math) if they have a high school GPA of at least 2.7 within the last three years. Students in these majors who do not meet this high school GPA requirement can email the Math Department Chair to register for MA105PI instead of MA105.

For students who need to take the test, the process for scheduling a time to take it is as follows:

Signing up for the Test

• You will receive several emails from the Math Department Chair during the semester before each testing block with a link to sign up for the test. Please sign up using your WSU ID number and WSU email address.
• Please only sign up for one testing block and please make sure to cancel through SignUpGenius if you need to cancel or change your appointment.

Taking the Test

• After the exam has been scheduled, you will receive an e-mail confirming the date, time and location of your test.
• Math department faculty will be there to guide you through the test taking process.
• After the test, you will receive one-on-one advising about your math placement code and which courses you are eligible to take, and which course you should take depending on your major.

Note that if you don’t get the code you need on your first attempt, you are allowed to retake the test (students are allowed two chances to take the test and your code is good for two years).  There is a pathway for every student in every major.  Your placement code will determine which course you start with in the pathway for your major.  Click here to view the pathways.  For students who need or want to retest, the Math Department will provide practice materials, which can be found in the Math Center (our free, drop-in tutoring center located in Sullivan 140) and on the Math Center website, and tutors are available in the Math Center to help students prepare for the test.

If you have any questions about this process at all, please send them via e-mail to mathplacement@worcester.edu, or come visit us in person in Sullivan 145!