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 has an 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 table below indicates the course options for students based on ACT, SAT, and CWI Math Diagnostic exam scores.

Review resources for the Math Diagnostic can be found here.

ACT Math Score SAT Math Score CWI Math Diagnostic Score CWI Course Options
≤ 17 ≤ 420 N/A Take the Math Diagnostic
≥ 18 ≥ 430 Unit 0 MATH 118/MATH 123P1/MATH 153P2
≥ 20 ≥ 480 Unit 2 MATH 097/MATH 099/MATH 123/FINA 109
≥ 25 ≥ 520 Unit 8 MATH 098/MATH 143P3/MATH 153/MATH 157
≥ 26 ≥ 570 Unit 12 MATH 130/MATH 143/MATH 147
≥ 27 ≥ 640 Unit 14 (Algebra Exam) MATH 144/MATH 160
≥ 29 ≥ 670 Unit 16 (Trigonometry Exam) MATH 170
1

The CWI Math Diagnostic is not required for students who have ACT/SAT 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.

2

The CWI Math Diagnostic is not required for students who have ACT/SAT 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.

3

The CWI Math Diagnostic is not required for students who have ACT/SAT scores at this placement level for College Algebra Plus (MATH 142/MATH 143P). However, the student may take the Math Diagnostic to potentially place directly into MATH 143 College Algebra.

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. 

English Placement

All incoming students must take the CWI Write Class Placement (WCP) exam unless they have previous English college credit or received a score of six (6) or higher on the Essay portion of the SAT. The exam 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 place into a higher course.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Placement

For students who speak English as a learned language, CWI uses the Write Class Placement exam 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 exam, 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 .