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
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 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unweighted High School GPA | ACT Reading | SAT Reading and Writing | SAT Reading | KYOTE Reading | GED Reasoning Through Language Arts |
ACCUPLACER Next-Gen Reading |
Initial Course Placement |
| 2.00-2.99 | 1-19 | 200-480 | 10-23 | 0-19 | 100-164 | 200-249 | IDST 199 |
| 3.00 or higher | 20 or higher | 490 or higher | 24 or higher | 20 or higher | 165 or higher | 250 or higher | No reading course needed |
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Course placement is determined by either unweighted high school GPA or test scores. All test scores expire after four years.
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Writing (English) Placement |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unweighted High School GPA | ACT English | SAT Reading and Writing | SAT Writing and Language |
KYOTE Writing |
GED Reasoning Through Language Arts |
ACCUPLACER Next-Gen Writing |
Initial Course Placement |
| 2.00-3.24 | 1-17 | 200-480 | 10-21 | 0-5 | 100-164 | 200-249 | ENG 100E with ENG 105 |
| 3.25 or higher | 18-28 | 490 or higher | 22-34 | 6 or higher | 165 or higher | 250 or higher | ENG 100 |
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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. |
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Math Placement (MATH 109 and 112) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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 |
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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. |
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Math Placement (MATH 115, 116, and 123) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 115E/116E/123E |
| 3.50 or higher | 22-25 | 540-620 | 14 or higher | 175 or higher | 250 or higher | 46 or higher | MATH 115/116/123 |
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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. |
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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.