Contact Us

Department of Mathematics & Statistics

Fall and Spring: 8 am - 5 pm

Summer Hours: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm

Ross Hall Rm. #327

Dept. 3036, 1000 E. University Ave.

Laramie, WY 82071-3036

Phone: 307-766-4221

Fax: 307-766-6838

__________________________

Math Program Information

Email: gauss@uwyo.edu

__________________________

Math Placement Questions ONLY

Phone: 307-766-6831

Email: math-registration@uwyo.edu

__________________________

Statistics Program Information

Email: statistics@uwyo.edu

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Math Placement

What is the Math Placement Exam (MPE)?

The MPE is how we determine a student’s current math skill level, and it is an important tool to help guide you and your advisor to the appropriate math course for your skill level. 

The Math Placement Exam is a way to demonstrate proficiency in mathematics topics, enabling you to move on to a higher level math course.  It is a tool to satisfy the prerequisite requirement of a math course for which you are otherwise not eligible to take due to prerequisite requirements.

All incoming freshmen and transfer students should take the MPE unless you qualify for one of the following exemptions: 

  • The student took a college level math course, while in high school, via a dual or concurrent enrollment program, and official transcripts have been sent and the course will be accepted for transfer credit by the University of Wyoming, and the student received a grade of “C” or better.  If you are unsure if your course will transfer check the course transfer catalog; or

  • The student took a college level math course, and official transcripts have been sent and the course will be accepted for transfer credit by the University of Wyoming, and the student received a grade of “C” or better.  If you are unsure if your course will transfer check the course transfer catalog; or

  • The student has taken AP Calculus, and has taken one of either the AB or BC exam, and received a score of 3 or higher; or

  • The student took International Baccalaureate (IB), and received a score of 4 or higher on the examination.  If you are not sure of IB course equivalence, you can look it up on the IB course equivalence page; or

  • The student took either an ACT or SAT exam within the last 3 years, and scored the required minimum score.  See the Prerequisite and MPE Cut Score Reference Chart below.

If one of these exemptions applies to you, then you may safely disregard the incoming student "Check List" item.  The exception item must be on record at least one week before the start of classes. 

How do I know what math course I should take?

Everyone who graduates from UW is required to complete a minimum of one college level quantitative reasoning or "Q" course, or test out via ACT, SAT or Math Placement Exam (MPE). You should discuss which course will meet your degree requirements with your academic advisor. For quick reference, see our math requirements by major/minor sheet to determine which math courses you may need for your major/minor.

What is a prerequisite?

Prerequisite is a term for "You have to take this, before you can take that." Prerequisites are common in math course work and help to identify the path necessary to get from point A to point B.
Course prerequisites are identified in the course description and are part of the course catalog description. Use the Prerequisite and MPE Cut Score Chart below to determine which courses you qualify for now with the scores you currently have.

Prerequisite and MPE Cut Score Reference Chart:

Table of courses offered, and prerequisites or minimum scores required to enter the course
Course Number Course Title Prerequisite MPE Cut Score MPE
Level
Math
ACT
Math
SAT
0900 Pre-algebra* None 0-15 0    
0921 Algebra I*
Math 0900 16-29 1 21 500
0925 Algebra II*
Math 0921 30-44 2 21 530
1000 Problem Solving
Math 0921 30-44 2 21 530
1100 Number and Operations for Elementary School Teachers*
Math 0921 30-44 2 21 530
1400 College Algebra
Math 0925 45-60 3 23 560
1405 Trigonometry
Math 1400 61-80 4 25 600
1450 Algebra and Trigonometry
Math 0925 45-60 3 23 560
2000 (STAT) Statistics and the World Math 0921 30-44 2 21 530
2050 (STAT) Fundamentals of Statistics
Math 1000 or Math 1400 61-80 4 26 620
2200 Calculus I
Math 1405 or Math 1450 81-100 5 27 640
2350 Business Calculus
Math 1400 or Math 1450 61-80 4 26 620
2355 Math Applications for Business* Math 1400 or Math 1450 61-80 4 26 620
  "Q" USP requirement satisfied without taking a math/stats class    4** 26 620

*This course does not satisfy the USP Q requirement.

**MPE must be proctored to satisfy the Q requirement with a score of 4 or above.

What can I expect to see on the exam?

  • The University of Wyoming Department of Mathematics & Statistics uses ALEKS PPL for Placement, Preparation and Learning. The ALEKS PPL test pack costs $15 plus tax via credit/debit card and includes one assessment, guided learning preparation, and up to 4 retake opportunities.  You will have access to ALEKS PPL for one year from the purchase date.  After one year you will have to purchase access again by phone: (1-800-258-2374) and give them the class code J33FD-XTCWK.

  • The MPE tests 5 different levels of math proficiency; Arithmetic, Beginning Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, and College Trigonometry. Based on the assessment score you will be given prerequisites accordingly.

  • You have two hours to take the test, but you do not need the to use the whole time if you do not need it.

  • You will not be allowed outside help.  This includes other people, notes, or a calculator.  You will be provided an onscreen calculator for some problems.

  • The test must be proctored.  This can be done online through Honorlock (for $10 plus tax each proctoring session), or at an in-person proctoring session.  Visit the Math Placement Exam Proctoring page for more detail.

  • Your score is good for one year from the assessment date.

STUDYING IS IMPORTANT!

A common mistake students make is not studying for the Math Placement Exam (MPE). Math skills are extremely perishable and you want to be at your best for the MPE so you can place at your actual skill level.

If you place below your skill level because you did not study, you will likely be placed a course where you already know all the material. That is a lot of money to spend on a course you don't need!

Visit the Math Placement Exam Preparation page for study resources.

 

Exam Proctoring

Your Math Placement Exam (MPE) must be proctored to be accepted. For details on all your proctoring options visit the Math Placement Exam Proctoring page. You may take the MPE outside of an on-campus proctoring session by using the Honorlock extension with the Google Chrome browser. Honorlock costs $10 plus tax for each attempt you take on the exam.

To be counted as a proctored session you MUST follow all applicable Honorlock guidelines.  Honorlock will not tell you that you are violating a guideline while you are taking the exam.  If one of the guidelines is found violated in the review of your exam your score will not be loaded [and you may need to retake the exam in person].

Testing environment

  • You are responsible for maintaining a satisfactory testing environment.  If you unsure if your location would be considered satisfactory, please ask the math placement staff prior to starting the exam.

  • You will have 2 hours to complete the exam once you begin it, but the exam takes on average between 60-90 minutes to complete; so take your time. 

  • Calculators are NOT permitted. ALEKS will provide an on-screen calculator when appropriate.

  • Outside help (other people, notes, devices, etc.) are NOT permitted.  Smart devices, such as smart watches and programs such as Apple Handoff or Chrome Hub are not permitted.  If you are taking the exam outside of an on-campus proctoring session it is your responsibility to find a location that is suitable to meet these expectations.

  • ALEKS PPL is a web-based application accessible from any computer that meets the system requirements, 24/7.  To see if your computer meets the requirements complete the system check.  It is your responsibility to be in a location that has dependable internet access throughout the exam.

  • If you are taking the test with Honorlock, review the Honorlock guidelines before you begin the exam.  You will not be notified if you are violating a guideline during the exam, but if found in violation upon review your score will not be loaded [and you may need to retake the exam in person].

Other Testing Considerations

  • You must use Honorlock if you are taking this outside of an on-campus proctoring session. To use Honorlock, you must have Google Chrome and install the Honorlock Extension.

If you do not, will get an error message asking for a proctoring password-there is no password, install the extension and then navigate to ALEKS using Google Chrome.

  • The initial exam should be taken before you attend your scheduled orientation or advising session.

  • The exam must be completed before registering for any math course unless one of the qualified exemptions applies to you.

  • You may retake the exam if you are not satisfied with your score. You do not have to use any of the retake/guided learning opportunities if you are satisfied with your initial score.

  • If you do not get the score you want you can retake the MPE as many times as needed, BUT you will need to satisfy some preparation requirements prior to each attempt.  We accept the highest score of any attempt or retake.

Accessing the Exam

ALEKS PPL (Placement, Preparation, and Learning) is the University of Wyoming’s Math Placement Exam (MPE). This is an online exam. The ALEKS PPL test pack costs $15 plus tax, via credit/debit card and includes 1 assessment, access to guided learning modules, and up to 4 retake opportunities. Your score is good for one year, and your access lasts for one year. After one year you will have to purchase access again.

There are a few ways you can access the MPE:

  • If you have a disability, please contact Disability Support Services or call 307-766 3073 to make the appropriate accommodations before accessing the exam. 

  • Click "Get Started Now!" and follow the instructions.

  • Go to the ALEKS website, select "Sign up" and enter course code 6EKAN-DPQQ3.  

 

 

 

 

 When setting up your new UW ALEKS account please select: 

  • I have never used ALEKS
  • Purchase access online
  • About your school information: University of Wyoming-Laramie

 

What if I run into issues?

If you are having issues accessing or taking the exam visit the Math Placement Exam Troubleshooting page for answers to common issues and information on how to reach someone to answer your questions!

What should I expect after the exam is complete?

  • You will receive an unvalidated raw score from ALEKS PPL as soon as you are done with the exam.

  • Your score will be automatically sent to UW and will be loaded to your WyoWeb/Student Records/Test Scores Tab.  If all guidelines are followed this can take up to 3 business days to load, please be patient. 

  • Once the score has been loaded you may register for the appropriate course on WyoWeb, in the normal way.  Your score is good for one year from the assessment date.

Once your score is loaded you can see it for yourself via Wyoweb:

  • Click on Students, and after login go to Student Records, and then Academic Profile.

  • On the Academic profile page you will see a tab that says "Prior Education and Testing".

The MPE scores are loaded there.

After one year you will have to purchase access again by phone: (1-800-258-2374) and give them the class code 6EKAN-DPQQ3.

If you are happy with your score you do not need to do anything more.

What if I don't like the score I got on the MPE?

Good news!  You can retake the exam if

  • it has been a minimum of 24-hours since the most recent exam attempt

  • you have complete the minimum number of hours of guided learning required for the re-take

The guided learning opportunity is included with your assessment pack purchase. To access the guided learning and retake option you simply need to log back into the ALEKS account you created when you took your first assessment.

Based on your assessment score, you will select one of the guided learning modules, see chart below for recommendations.

Remember, we accept the highest score of any exam attempt; it can't hurt you to try.

Table of Math Placement Exam content tracks and associated courses.

Choose…

… to get into

Prep for Beginning Algebra

Math 0921

Prep for Intermediate Algebra

Math 0925, 1000, 1100; Stat 2000

Prep for College Algebra

Math 1400, 1450

Prep for Pre-Calculus

Math 1405, 2350, 2355; Stat 2050

Prep for Calculus

Math 2200

 

Transferring your score

     Need your score sent to a different school?

     Need to send your ALEKS score to UW?

Students or their parents can send those results securely without having to go through the trouble of calling the school and requesting the results.

Don't want to watch a video? Use the Written Guide for sending your score!

    The AccuPlacer exam will not be accepted.

 
Contact Us

Department of Mathematics & Statistics

Fall and Spring: 8 am - 5 pm

Summer Hours: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm

Ross Hall Rm. #327

Dept. 3036, 1000 E. University Ave.

Laramie, WY 82071-3036

Phone: 307-766-4221

Fax: 307-766-6838

__________________________

Math Program Information

Email: gauss@uwyo.edu

__________________________

Math Placement Questions ONLY

Phone: 307-766-6831

Email: math-registration@uwyo.edu

__________________________

Statistics Program Information

Email: statistics@uwyo.edu

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