Math Placement Testing

THE UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT USES ALEKS PPL for PLACEMENT, PREPARATION, AND LEARNING

What is the Math Placement Exam (MPE)?

The Math Placement Exam, simply put, 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. It is a way to demonstrate proficiency of that material, enabling you to move on to a higher level math course.

You may use this test to place into math courses that either your ACT, SAT, or AP scores do not support, to demonstrate proficiency in a course that you did not receive a "C" or better in, or to demonstrate proficiency in a subject that a transfer credit from another college was not accepted here at UW. Courses that you may use the MPE to test out of include the following: Math 900, Math 0921, Math 0925, Math 1000, Math 1400, Math 1405, or Math 1450 (unless otherwise stated in degree requirements).

If you are transferring math course(s) from another college, and they are accepted for transfer credit here at UW, and this course meets the prerequisite of a course you wish to take, then you would not need to take the placement test and can safely disregard the Math Placement Test item on your incoming student check list. (The check list is created, often times, before your transfer transcripts have been received and loaded.)

The Math Placement Exam is not required. However, if you don't have either test scores showing proficiency or a transcript with the necessary math prerequiestes to get into your desired course, and you do not take the Math Placement Exam, you will have to start at the lowest tier of Math courses, 0900.

READY TO TAKE THE EXAM?

Visit the Math Placement Access and Instructions page for information on how to study for and take the Math Placement Exam.

What math do I need and what am I currently eligible to take?

We have created two tools you can use to see what math courses your major requires and what course you are currently able to take based on your ACT/SAT/MPE score.

Math Requirements by Major

Math Eligibility by ACT/SAT/MPE Score

More information on the Math Placement Exam:

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

All incoming freshmen and transfer students will be required to take the MPE or start in Math 0921 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 the course will be accepted for transfer credit by the University of Wyoming and the student received a grade of “C” or better; or
The student took a college level math course and the course will be accepted for transfer credit by the University of Wyoming and the student received a grade of “C” or better; 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.
The student took either an ACT, SAT exam within the last 3 years and scored the required minimum score, see table below.

If one of the above exemptions applies to you, then you may safely disregard the incoming student "Check List" item.

How do I know what math course I should take?

Each UW graduate will be required to take a minimum of one college level math course (or score sufficiently high on MPE/ACT/SAT to exempt them) before graduating. This tool will give you an idea of the math requirements of your major: Math Requirements by Major. You should discuss which course will meet your degree requirements with your academic advisor.

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 Z.

Course prerequisites are identified in the course description and are part of the course catalog description. We have also created an easy to follow reference card, below, for most of the common math courses for incoming students.

Prerequisite and MPE Cut Score reference chart:

Course Number	Course Title	MPE Cut Score	MPE Level	Math ACT	Math SAT
900	Pre-Algebra	<16	0	<21	≥ 500
921	Algebra 1 (PREQ Math 0900)	16+	1	21	≥ 500
925	Algebra 2 (PREQ Math 0921)	30+	2	21	≥ 530
1000	Problem Solving (PREQ Math 0921)	30+	2	21	≥ 530
1100	Number and Operations for Elementary School Teachers (PREQ Math 0921)	30+	2	21	≥ 530
1400	College Algebra (PREQ Math 0925)	46+	3	23	≥ 560
1405	Trigonometry (PREQ Math 1400)	61+	4	25	≥ 600
1450	Algebra and Trigonometry (PREQ Math 0925)	46+	3	23	≥ 560
2050 (STAT)	Fundamentals of Statistics (PREQ Math 1000 or Math 1400)	61+	4	26	≥ 620
2070 (STAT)	Introductory Statistics for the Social Sciences (PREQ Math 1000 or Math 1400)	61+	4	26	≥ 620
2200	Calculus I (PREQ Math 1405 or Math 1450)	81+	5	27	≥ 640
2350	Business Calculus (PREQ Math 1400 or Math 1450)	61+	4	26	≥ 620
2355	Math Applications for Business (PREQ Math 1400 or Math 1450)	61+	4	26	≥ 620
	"Q" USP requirement satisfied without taking a math/stats class	61+	4*	≥26	≥ 620