English and mathematics placement exams

All students must pass an approved mathematics course and an approved English composition course. The placement exams are designed to help you fulfill these requirements by identifying the courses that best match your skills.

Mathematics placement exam
A $25.00 testing fee will be collected when you take the exam (this fee is not part of your orientation /matriculation fee). WSU Tri-Cities offers an intermediate mathematics placement test, which covers intermediate algebra, and an advanced mathematics placement test, which covers pre-calculus topics. If you seek placement in a calculus-level mathematics course at WSU, you will need to take the advanced test. Otherwise, you should take the intermediate test. It is your responsibility to take the correct exam.

Do I need to take the mathematics placement exam?
All incoming students are required to take the mathematics placement exam, unless they meet certain criteria.

You are not required to take the mathematics placement exam if:

  1. You have satisfied the prerequisites for a Washington State University 100-200 level mathematics course or above. High school courses (even those called College Calculus) do not count unless you explicitly receive official college credit.
  2. You have passed the AP test in Calculus AB or Calculus BC with a score of 3 or better and your results have been sent to Washington State University.
  3. You have a quantitative SAT score of 680 or better.
  4. You have a quantitative SAT score of 530 or better and do not intend to enroll in a calculus course.
  5. You are a transfer student with an AA degree and do not intend to take a Washington State University mathematics course.

You should plan to review relevant material before taking the test to ensure that your score accurately reflects your level of preparation for mathematics courses at Washington State University. Practice problems are available at:
www.sci.wsu.edu/math/HS
www.washington.edu/oea/services/testing_center/aptp/index.html

REGISTER HERE! Math Placement Registration form

English placement exam
A $13.37 testing fee will be billed to your student account (testing fees are not included in the orientation/matriculation fee).

The English exam is administered in a two-hour session. You will write two essays, one argumentative and the other self-reflective.

Do I need to take the English placement exam?
All incoming students who have not received equivalent credit for English 101 must take the English placement exam. Students who have received scores of four or above on the AP test in English will receive credit for English 101 and do not have to take the placement exam.

Please note: WSU does not accept outside scores for placement in writing courses.

REGISTER HERE! English Placement Registration form

Contact us: Admiss@tricity.wsu.edu (509) 372-7250
Washington State University Tri-Cities, 2710 University Drive, Richland, WA 99354-1671 USA