Math Placement Assessment
On this page:
Overview
Wright State University considers multiple factors in the math placement process. Various criteria are used to determine your math placement level, such as:
- Grades in specific high school math courses
- High school GPA
- Valid (unexpired) official standardized test scores (ACT or SAT)
- ALEKS math placement assessment scores
If you would like to start at a higher level in math than your high school GPA, high school math courses, or standardized test scores indicate, you can take the ALEKS math placement assessment. The ALEKS math placement assessment covers basic math through pre-calculus and on average takes 90 minutes to complete. You may take longer as needed.
After completing the assessment you will receive your score along with a handout explaining how to access ALEKS Prep and Learning to optimize the chances of improving your placement on allowable retests. ALEKS Prep and Learning is designed to help you review or re-learn important skills before starting your Math Pathway.
Registration
If you are an incoming student or CCP applicant starting in Spring 2024 or future semester.
- Log in to your Admissions Portal using the email address and password you set up when applying to the University.
- Select the Math Placement link
- Before registering for the math placement test, you will need to setup your Wright State account. Follow the instructions in the Setup Your Account section.
- If you have already set up your account, but have forgotten your password, contact the CaTS Help Desk at 937-775-4827.
If you are a current Wright State student who started taking classes before Spring 2024.
- You will need your campus username (w001abc), password, and UID to complete your math and/or writing assessment.
- If you have forgotten your account information, contact the CaTS Help Desk at 937-775-4827.
- Register for the math placement test
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What do I do if I plan to take the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment but cannot complete it before my Orientation?
Suppose you plan to take the ALEKS math placement assessment but have yet to have the opportunity to complete it before your Orientation. In that case, we encourage you to attend your scheduled orientation and let your academic advisor know you will take the assessment as soon as possible.
-
Am I required to take the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment?
It depends. If you have submitted your ACT or SAT results to Wright State, and if your math score is high enough, you might not need to take the assessment. However, if your test scores are outdated or you don’t have ACT/SAT scores, taking the Wright State ALEKS Math Placement Assessment will allow you to establish a Math Placement Level. Once you have your Math Placement Level, you can work with your academic advisor to start the Math Pathway most appropriate for your needs.
-
What is my Math Placement Level (MPL)?
Your highest valid standardized test (ACT or SAT) or ALEKS score is used to determine your Math Placement Level (or MPL). Your MPL is valid for two years, and additional placement testing is not approved after you start your Math Pathway.
Most incoming students send ACT and/or SAT scores to Wright State as part of the admission process. If you did not perform well on your standardized test, you may take the Wright State Math Placement Test with the hope of achieving a higher MPL before starting your Math Pathway.
Transfer students, international students, and College Credit Plus (CCP) applicants without recent standardized test scores on record may use Wright State’s placement test to establish a Math Placement Level (MPL) before starting a Math Pathway.
Learn more about College Credit Plus.
Email CCP Advising or Registration questions to ccpadvising-uc@wright.edu. -
Where can I find my test scores?
If you have been formally admitted to Wright State, you can find your test scores in WINGS Express. Go to “Student and Financial Aid”; click “Registration and Records”; then “View Test Scores.” Please refer to the Math Placement Level Policy to understand what your score means.
Special Note for College Credit Plus (CCP) Applicants: As a CCP applicant, you may not have full access to WINGS Express until you have been officially accepted to Wright State University. If you are a CCP student who attends an ALEKS Math Placement Test at the Dayton and Lake Campus, you will receive your ALEKS score the day of your test, but you may not be able to see your score in WINGS Express until you have been admitted to Wright State’s CCP program. If you have a question about your ALEKS performance, you may contact Admissions or your College Credit Plus Academic Advisor. Advisors will be able to view your ALEKS score the day after you take the test.
Learn more about College Credit Plus.
If you have a CCP Advising or Registration question, you can reach a CCP advisor at ccpadvising-uc@wright.edu. -
Is there a fee for using ALEKS?
No. Effective March 2, 2021 there are no longer fees for placement testing in Math.
-
Can I practice before my first ALEKS Assessment?
Yes. This list of links can help you BEFORE your first ALEKS Math Placement Assessment. (After your first assessment, you will gain access to individualized practice sessions called ALEKS Prep and Learning. At that point, please follow the directions provided after your test session.)
Here is a list of links to further your review for the Math Placement Assessment:
- CUNY Universities Review
- West Texas A&M Review
- www.mathtv.com
- www.math-drills.com
- www.math.com
- www.quickmath.com
- www.coolmath.com
- www.mathisfun.com
- www.purplemath.com
The Math Placement Test could cover the following areas:
- Numerical skills/pre-algebra
- Beginning algebra/intermediate algebra
- College algebra
- Trigonometry
See a trial version of ALEKS, to gain limited access to that resource.
Tips: Do not purchase your own version of ALEKS to use for Wright State testing. You may only use our official Wright State Testing Services subscription of ALEKS to earn an official score. The earlier you test, the better. Those who test early are often able to retest after completing 3 full hours of ALEKS Prep and Learning between each allowable retest. (Details about retesting will follow your initial test.)
It is your responsibility to read all test policies prior to taking the test.
-
How long will a placement test take to complete once I start?
Placement assessments require approximately 90 minutes to complete, but the amount of time needed can vary. There is a maximum of 30 questions. Plan to take your time so you do as well as possible.
-
May I use a calculator while using ALEKS?
ALEKS provides an on-screen calculator for certain problems and not others. When you are not permitted to use the ALEKS calculator, you may work problems out on paper, which will be provided at your test session. You may not use your own calculator. You may not use assistance other than what is provided via the ALEKS program.
-
What happens if I do not complete a placement assessment in the allotted time?
You will be assigned a placement result, but your score may underestimate your true ability. Following your attempt, you should receive a handout explaining how to access ALEKS Prep and Learning so you can work to earn a higher score on any allowable retests. Please plan to earn your highest possible test score a week or so before the upcoming term.
-
May I use any other resources during a placement assessment?
You may only use a pen or pencil, paper, and the resources provided by ALEKS. You may not receive assistance from friends, family, other websites, textbooks, or any other resource not provided by ALEKS. Please see the Wright State University Student Code of Conduct to learn more about academic integrity standards, and remember that placement tests are used to determine your entry-level skills. This means you are not likely to pass a course for which you have not earned the minimal cut score.
-
What is my placement result?
Your placement result is your percentage mastery on your best test attempt. Please see the Math Placement Level Policy or Math Pathways to learn which is right for your academic needs.
-
How long is my placement result valid?
Your placement result is valid for 2 years.
-
How long do I have access to ALEKS Prep and Learning?
You have six months of access from the time you start using ALEKS Prep and Learning, and you must complete at least three full hours in Prep and Learning before each allowable retest.
-
Is there an additional fee for my Prep and Learning Module?
No. Six months of access to ALEKS Prep and Learning becomes available following your initial assessment. Access to Prep and Learning is part of your test process; this means there is no additional charge unless you need to enter a new test cohort after your current cohort expires. The main purpose for ALEKS Prep and Learning is to provide you with focused instruction to improve your placement level before you start taking math or statistics. You must complete at least three full hours of "hands on" ALEKS Prep and Learning before each allowable retest.
-
What are ALEKS Progress Assessments?
While working in Prep and Learning, you may be prompted to take a progress assessment. Progress assessments are like mini practice quizzes; your performance on these can help the ALEKS program to recalibrate your learning goals based on your ability to consistently solve particular kinds of problems.
-
Does progress in an ALEKS Prep and Learning Module count toward placement?
No, you must retest to change your placement score, and your highest valid score should be used for placement.
-
ALEKS says to choose a Prep and Learning Module. Do I need to do anything?
Your Prep and Learning module has already been chosen. At Wright State, we provide you with a chance to work toward gaining access to up to the highest Prep and Learning module if you discover you need to qualify for a higher math placement level.
Don't worry about ALEKS becoming too difficult for your needs. You won't gain access to concepts you are not prepared to tackle. ALEKS requires you to master basic skills before allowing you to view more difficult material.
-
What if I do not place into the course I wanted?
You may use ALEKS Prep and Learning to learn new material before starting a course on your Math Pathway. Or, you may use Prep and Learning to prepare for an allowable retest.
-
I did not place into the class I wanted. Can I take it anyway?
No, you must achieve the minimum placement score to demonstrate readiness to start courses with cut score restrictions. Please see the Math Placement Level Policy and Math Pathways for more.
-
What if I placed into the class I wanted?
Congratulations! You may register for the course you intend to take. You may also continue to use Prep and Learning to improve your chances for course success before your class starts.
-
My computer doesn’t appear to be set up for ALEKS. Where can I get technical support?
-
How do I begin using ALEKS?
If you have taken your initial assessment, you should have a handout explaining how to access ALEKS Prep and Learning.
If you have not taken your initial proctored test, you do not have ALEKS access yet. Register for a Math Placement Test as early as possible so you can take full advantage of allowable ALEKS retesting following your initial test.
See a trial version of ALEKS, to gain limited access to that resource.
Tip: Do not purchase your own version of ALEKS to use for Wright State University testing. You may only use our official Wright State Testing Services subscription of ALEKS to earn an official score!
