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Course Placement

WKU places students into either college-level or supplemental courses in reading, writing, and math based on their unweighted high school GPA and test scores. Academic Advisors automatically use the highest score when they help students register for courses. For math courses, placement also incorporates declared major.

 

 

College-Level and Supplemental Courses

Group of students at the Colonnade

Students are placed into either college-level or supplemental courses in reading, writing, and math.

  • Advantages of college-level courses:
    • Fewer credit hours and meetings per week.
    • More sections of each course.
  • Advantages of supplemental courses:
    • Additional contact with instructor.
    • More time to review key concepts and ideas.

Both types of courses count toward graduation and fulfill prerequisite requirements.

Students who do not wish to take supplemental courses may send updated transcripts or test scores to WKU, or take an approved placement test and achieve at least the minimum score.

 

 

Course Placement Charts by Subject

Reading Placement
Unweighted High
School GPA		 ACT Reading SAT Reading KYOTE Reading GED Reasoning Through
Language Arts
 ACCUPLACER Next Gen
Reading
 Initial Course
Placement
2.00-2.99 1-19 10-23 0-19 100-164 200-249 IDST 199
3.00 or higher 20 or higher 24 or higher 20 or higher 165 or higher 250 or higher No reading course needed

Course placement is determined by either unweighted high school GPA or test scores. All test scores expire after four years.

 

 

Writing (English) Placement
Unweighted High
School GPA		 ACT English SAT Writing and Language
 KYOTE Writing
 GED Reasoning Through
Language Arts
 ACCUPLACER Next Gen
Writing
 Initial Course
Placement
2.00-3.24 1-17 10-21 0-5 100-164 200-249 ENG 100E with ENG 105
3.25 or higher 18-28 22-34 6 or higher 165 or higher 250 or higher ENG 100

Course placement is determined by either unweighted high school GPA or test scores. All test scores expire after four years.

Scores of at least 29 on the ACT English test or at least 35 on the SAT Writing and Language test will give students credit for ENG 100.

 

Math Placement (Non-Algebra Majors) 
Unweighted High
School GPA		 ACT Math SAT Math KYOTE College Readiness Math
 GED Mathematical
Reasoning		 ACCUPLACER Next
Gen QAS
 ALEKS PPL Initial Course
Placement
2.00-2.99 1-18 200-500 0-21 100-164 200-249 0-29 MATH 109E/112E
3.00 or higher 19-25 510-620 22 or higher 165 or higher 250 or higher 30 or higher MATH 109/112

Course placement is determined by either unweighted high school GPA or test scores. All test scores expire after four years.

Scores of at least 26 on the ACT Math test or at least 630 on the SAT Math test will give students credit for MATH 116.

 

Math Placement (Algebra Majors) 
Unweighted High
School GPA		 ACT Math SAT Math KYOTE College Algebra GED Mathematical
Reasoning		 ACCUPLACER Next
Gen QAS		 ALEKS PPL Initial Course
Placement
2.00-2.99 1-19 200-510 0-11 N/A N/A N/A MATH 115E/116E with MATH 105
3.00-3.49 20-21 520-530 12-13 N/A N/A N/A MATH 115E/116E
3.50 or higher 22-25 540-620 14 or higher 175 or higher 250 or higher 46 or higher MATH 115/116

Course placement is determined by either unweighted high school GPA or test scores. All test scores expire after four years.

Scores of at least 26 on the ACT Math test or at least 630 on the SAT Math test will give students credit for MATH 116.

 

Math Placement (Business Majors) 
Unweighted High
School GPA		 ACT Math SAT Math KYOTE College Algebra GED Mathematical
Reasoning		 ACCUPLACER Next
Gen QAS		 ALEKS PPL Initial Course
Placement
2.00-3.49 1-21 200-530 0-13 100-174 200-249 0-45 MATH 123E
3.50 or higher 22-25 540-620 14 or higher 175 or higher 250 or higher 46 or higher MATH 123

Course placement is determined by either unweighted high school GPA or test scores. All test scores expire after four years.

Scores of at least 26 on the ACT Math test or at least 630 on the SAT Math test will give students credit for MATH 116.

 

 

Other Math Courses

For placement information about other math courses, including MATH 117, MATH 136, and MATH 183, please refer to the math course placement page from the Department of Mathematics. Some majors, especially ones in science and engineering fields, encourage students to start with these math course during their first year to ensure they finish their degree on time. Please consult the Finish in Four plans in the Undergraduate Catalog for details about the math requirements for each major.

Math Course Placement Page

Undergraduate Catalog

 

Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.

 Last Modified 4/19/24