Academic Placement
ÍúÍú×ÊÔ´ has placement guidelines to determine the appropriate entry-level course for new students. The math placement also dictates the appropriate level for a student's first math course and other courses such as chemistry and biology.
Some of ÍúÍú×ÊÔ´'s placement guidelines are based on student self-directed surveys, both writing and modern language follow these guidelines.
All placements should be completed before your registration session; this ensures the accuracy of your student schedule.
*Placement does not require any special login or password, but you will need your student ID number, which will be sent to you with placement instructions once you have deposited.
Writing and Modern Language Placement
All students must complete the writing placement survey. The survey takes less than five minutes to complete.
Students who took a modern language in high school should take the modern language placement survey. Students who did not take a modern language in high school are not required to complete the modern language survey. If you did not learn a modern language in school or your community and are not familiar with the languages, you are not required to take the survey but encourage to take a beginning language course: SPN 101, ITAL 101, CHN 101, or ASL 101.
If you took ASL in school, please contact Prof. Min Zhou at mzhou@rwu.edu for placements.
Math Placement
Determining your best first mathematics course requires evaluating the quantitative skills you have acquired during your educational journey. ÍúÍú×ÊÔ´ uses a comprehensive assessment based on your high school GPA and math courses to start students on a path to success in quantitative fields. We take into account the skills you have acquired in your previous courses along with the change in class structure that comes with moving to the university setting. Math courses in college are taught at a faster pace with less face-to-face time with the instructor. Students must do more work outside of class to be successful, which requires an adjustment for some students. ÍúÍú×ÊÔ´ also has many resources to help make this transition, including free math tutoring and support from peer mentors, along with using the level of your past math courses to determine your best first class.
Students who have taken AP courses will be placed according to their AP scores once they have been received. ÍúÍú×ÊÔ´ gives credit for math courses if students score a 3 or greater on the AP exam. This may mean your math course will change before the start of the semester if you do well on your exams.
In addition, enrollment in some chemistry and biology courses require a minimum score on the math placement assessment. An accurate assessment of your current skills is therefore a key component to your initial success. We have found that high school GPA correlates well with students’ performance in their first math course, as have other universities (1,2).
Although all students must take a math course at ÍúÍú×ÊÔ´, not all classes require placement or have prerequisites. Determine if your major requires a math placement.
Guide to Math Placement
Your math placement is based on your high school GPA and the most recent math course you completed. Use the guide below to find your recommended starting course.
If you took Statistics, Applied Math, or similar course:
AP Statistics
GPA > 3.5 → MATH 136 (Precalculus)
GPA < 3.5 → MATH 117 (College Algebra)
Non-AP: → MATH 117 (College Algebra)
If you took Algebra II or a similar course below the level of Precalculus:
→ MATH 117 (College Algebra)
If you took Precalculus or an equivalent:
Non-Honors
GPA > 3.5 → MATH 136 (Precalculus)
GPA < 3.5 → MATH 117 (College Algebra)
Honors/AP:
GPA > 3.5 or AP score ≥ 3 → MATH 213 (Calculus I)
GPA < 3.5 → MATH 136 (Precalculus)
If you took Calculus or an equivalent:
AP score ≥ 3 → MATH 214 (Calculus II) or higher
GPA > 3.5 → MATH 213 (Calculus I)
GPA < 3.5 → MATH 136 (Precalculus)
Students who would like to take a different math course than indicated have a few options to make that change. First, any student who wishes to take a lower level math course than indicated should discuss that decision with their academic advisor. Our degree plans are designed to support students of many different backgrounds and students wishing to bolster their math competencies before starting other courses have that option.
Incoming students may take MATH 117 College Algebra online during the summer before their first year on campus. This course is offered asynchronously and at a reduced tuition rate. Students can get a head start on their mathematics journey or bolster their foundational skills by taking this course. Please discuss this option with your advisor when planning your schedule.
Students who wish to take a higher math course may take an exam before classes start to demonstrate their readiness. We offer a placement exam designed by the Mathematics Association of America that is a comprehensive test of skills from algebra and precalculus. Students may also take a challenge exam for a specific course. If passed, students receive credit for the course and may move on to the next. Both options will be offered in person on campus. There is a fee to take the challenge exam and the placement exam is free. Please contact the chair of the Department of Mathematics and Physics or the Faculty Director of General Education for more information.
Have other questions or concerns? You can also email Jennifer Pearce (jpearce@rwu.edu), Faculty Director of General Education for more information.
Belfield, C. R., & Crosta, P. M. (2012). Predicting success in college: The importance of placement tests and high school transcripts. CCRC Working Paper No. 42. Community College Research Center, Teachers College, Columbia University.
Fitchett, S., King, K., & Champion, J. (2011). Outcomes of mathematics placement: An analysis of advising and enrollment data. PRIMUS, 21(7), 577–591.
Contact
For more information about Academic Placement at ÍúÍú×ÊÔ´, contact Angela Raymond, Coordinator of Placement & Academic Advisor, at araymond@rwu.edu or call (401) 254-3861.