Math Placement

What is the Math Placement Exam (MPE)?

The MPE is an assessment to 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:

*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.

How do I study for the MPE?

The most common mistake students make is not studying for the Math Placement Exam.  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.   

Visit the Math Placement Exam Preparation page for information on preparing for the exam or just refreshing your math skills before the first day of classes. 

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.

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.

• 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.

How do I access the Exam?

When you are ready to take the exam visit the Math Placement Exam Access and Instructions page to get started! You should take the exam as soon as you feel ready, and before you meet with your advisor if you can.

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 your score 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.  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.

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.

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.