Placement Testing
Math Placement
Incoming students will need to take the CWI Math Diagnostic exam to determine placement in a mathematics course. This expectation may be waived if the student presents a valid ISAT, ACT, or SAT math score that is less than three (3) years old and provides placement into the required mathematics course, as determined by the student’s chosen major. The tables below indicate the course options for students based on ISAT, ACT, SAT, and CWI Math Diagnostic exam scores.
Review resources for the Math Diagnostic can be found here.
| SAT Math Score | ACT Math Score | ISAT Math Scoree | CWI Course Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| 430 - 519 | 15 - 19 | 2 | MATH 123P1/MATH 153P2 |
| 520 - 559 | 20 - 22 | 3 | MATH 123/MATH 143P3/MATH 153 |
| 560 - 639 | 23 - 26 | 44 | MATH 143/MATH 254 |
| 640 - 669 | 27 - 28 | N/A | MATH 144/MATH 160 |
| 670 and above4 | 29 and above4 | N/A | MATH 170 |
| CWI Math Diagnostic Score | CWI Course Options |
|---|---|
| Unit 0 | MATH 118/MATH 123P1/MATH 153P2 |
| Unit 2 | MATH 097/MATH 099/MATH 123/MATH 153/FINA 109 |
| Unit 8 | MATH 098/MATH 143P3/MATH 157 |
| Unit 12 | MATH 130/MATH 143/MATH 147/MATH 254 |
| Unit 14 (Algebra Exam) | MATH 144/MATH 160 |
| Unit 16 (Trigonometry Exam) | MATH 170 |
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The CWI Math Diagnostic is not required for students who have high school standardized exam (i.e. ACT, SAT, and ISAT) scores at this placement level for Math in Modern Society Plus (MATH 122/MATH 123P). However, the student may take the Math Diagnostic to potentially place directly into MATH 123 Math in Modern Society.
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The CWI Math Diagnostic is not required for students who have high school standardized exam scores at this placement level for Statistical Reasoning Plus (MATH 152/MATH 153P). However, the student may take the Math Diagnostic to potentially place directly into MATH 153 Statistical Reasoning.
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The CWI Math Diagnostic is not required for students who have high school standardized exam scores at this placement level for Precalculus I: Algebra Plus (MATH 142/MATH 143P). However, the student may take the Math Diagnostic to potentially place directly into MATH 143 Precalculus I: Algebra.
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Students with higher placement exam scores will also be eligible to register for any classes listed as options for lower placement scores.
Upon completion of this assessment process, the scores and course placement will be reviewed with each student by a Math Coach. This review will confirm the student's knowledge of the math content, discuss the appropriate math course(s) for the student's major, and identify strategies for success and math completion. Students are encouraged to combine this information with the direction offered by their advisor. Students who are not required to complete the CWI Math Diagnostic are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a Math Coach here.
English Placement
All incoming students are placed into the appropriate English course in one of the following ways:
- Equivalent transfer credit
- Credit for Prior Learning (AP Language and Composition, CLEP College Composition, etc.)
- ISAT English Language Arts Score
- ACT English + Reading Scores
- SAT Reading and Writing Score
- CWI Write Class Placement (WCP) assessment
The WCP tool uses multiple measures (such as GPA, standardized test scores, and self-assessment) to direct students into the appropriate English course for their skill level. The WCP is taken online by the student, at their own pace. Students may be placed into ENGL 101 Writing and Rhetoric I Plus (ENGL 101P with companion course ENGL 100), or ENGL 101 Writing and Rhetoric I. Students who demonstrate advanced skills will be invited to apply for placement into ENGL 102 Writing and Rhetoric II. Students may choose to take ENGL 101 Writing and Rhetoric I Plus even if they are placed into a higher course.
The WCP is required for students who don't have one of the other placement options, but it is available to any student who wants more information about CWI's English course offerings or who wants to challenge for a higher placement. Students will be placed in the highest course they qualify for if multiple scores are available.
| CWI Write Class Placement | SAT Reading and Writing Score | ACT English + Reading Score | ISAT English Language Arts Score | CWI Course Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English 101 Plus | 509 and below | 37 and below | 1 - 2 | ENGL 100 + ENGL 101P |
| English 101 | 510 and above | 38 and above | 3 - 4 | ENGL 101 |
| English 102 | N/A1 | N/A1 | N/A1 | ENGL 102 |
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English 102 placement is only available via the Write Class Placement (WCP), unless students have prior credit for English 101. All students may use the WCP to place into a higher course.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Placement
For students who speak English as a learned language and don't have one of the standardized exam scores, CWI uses the WCP tool to determine whether placement in an English as a Second Language course is in the student's best interest. These courses are specially designed to meet these students’ needs and help them be successful in an academic setting. An ESL specialist will contact the student with their placement, which may be into an ESL composition course (ENGS 104), the Bridge Program offered by Adult Education, ENGL 101 Writing and Rhetoric I Plus (ENGL 101P with companion course ENGL 100), ENGL 101 Writing and Rhetoric I, or an invitation to apply for placement into ENGL 102 Writing and Rhetoric II.
College Preparatory Assistance
CWI offers college preparatory assistance for students who need to raise existing skills for successful completion of college-level math and English courses.
- Introductory, Advanced, and Expanded Prep Mathematics (MATH 097/MATH 098/MATH 099), Math in Modern Society Plus (MATH 122 /MATH 123P ), College Algebra Plus (MATH 142/MATH 143P ), and Elementary Statistics Plus (MATH 152 /MATH 153P ) are offered to students whose math placement (as determined by their ACT, SAT, or Math Diagnostic score) is below the prerequisite for a course (or courses) necessary for their program.
- Based on the CWI Write Class Placement assessment, students may be placed into a corequisite course (ENGL 100 Writing and Rhetoric Plus ), which offers additional instruction and support for ENGL 101 Writing and Rhetoric I .