Frequently Asked Questions

Your SAT, ACT, AP tests and college credits are all reviewed to determine whether or not you need placement exams. Students who do not meet the exemptions listed below are required to take placement exams. 

English:

• Course credit for ENG 1301 
• 4 or higher on the AP English exam
• 480 or higher on SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (SAT test administered before March 2016 is not accepted for placement purposes)
• 23 or higher on the ACT composite AND a minimum of 19 or higher on English test 

Math:

• Course credit for MAT 1302 or another college-level math course
• 3 or higher on AP Calculus AB Test or 4 or higher on AP Calculus Test
• 530 or higher on the SAT math section (SAT test administered before March 2016 is not accepted for placement purposes)
• 23 or higher on the ACT composite AND a minimum of 19 or higher on math test
• 28 or higher on the ACT math section or 600 on the SAT math section will qualify you to take a paper-based pre-calculus test scored by the TXWES math department

Reading:

• 480 or higher on SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (SAT test administered before March 2016 are not accepted for placement purposes)
• 23 or higher on the ACT composite AND a minimum of 19 or higher on Reading test
• 30 or more transfer credit hours

Think you might be exempt? Provide evidence to the Office of Admission or Academic Placement Testing before orientation.

No test scores? No problem. You will sign up to take a placement test with our Testing Coordinator. We want to ensure you are successful in your courses at Texas Wesleyan. By taking placement tests, we can determine if you need a little more preparation before taking college-level courses. 

Students who present TSI Test Scores may be exempt from taking the Accuplacer for initial course placement. College Board concordance tables are used to compare scores on the redesigned SAT with those that predate it. Students who obtain at least the following TSIA OR TSIA2 scores will be exempt from enrolling in RAM Success courses:

Math

English

Reading

Want to brush up on your skills before you take your placement test?

Start practicing on the Accuplacer study app.

• Click on the blue button to get to the Study App and create your account. This works best on a computer.
• Select the "Learn As You Go" test type and work through all of the sample tests.

Use the table below to determine which sample tests to practicce.

Texas Wesleyan uses the Accuplacer, Webcape and specialized departmental exams for placement testing. The Accuplacer and Webcape are computer-based tests that assess your knowledge and abilities in English (Writing), Math, Reading Comprehension and Spanish.

Texas Wesleyan does not accept the THEA, Compass or other placement tests in place of the Accuplacer. Wesleyan requires specific sections of the Accuplacer, so please contact Academic Placement Testing prior to testing at any alternate locations.

Test times vary for each student and depend on the number of tests taken. There are no time limits for each Accuplacer section. It is recommended to allow at least 1 hour for each section you need to take. 

Please note that testing typically starts 15-20 minutes after the posted exam time. The first 15-20 minutes are dedicated to addressing testing questions, check-in and testing instructions. If you are under strict time constraints, or have prior commitments that may limit your time to test, we strongly encourage you to reschedule. 

If you do not meet the minimum score requirements, you will be placed in RAM Success courses. These courses:

• Count towards Financial Aid purposes
• Do not count towards hours needed for graduation
• Are calculated into a student's overall GPA
• Do not transfer to or from other colleges or universities

Our testing center is located in the EJW Library, Room 127.

If you think you need to take your test in another location, please contact our testing coordinator at testing@txwes.edu.

Students must adhere to the following policies while testing:

• Cell phones must be silenced or powered off and not visible during testing.
• Outside sources may not be used during the test. Outside sources include any notes, books, websites, search engines and Microsoft Word. 
• No talking during the test.
• No external calculators. An on-screen calculator is provided during the Math section of the Accuplacer.
• You must present a photo ID to take the test.

Writing

Passing Scores - Either a score of 5, 6, 7 or 8 on the Next Generation Writeplacer essay portion of the exam. Students who score lower than the standard are placed in ENG 0300 or WRT 0311 for non-native speakers of English.

Restricted classes if minimum passing score is not met: ENG 1301 or any course in which ENG 1301 is a prerequisite.

Reading

Passing Scores - 250 and above on the Next Generation Accuplacer Reading Comprehension exam. Students who score lower than the standard are placed in RDG 0301 or RDG 0311 for non-native speakers of English.

Restricted classes if minimum passing score is not met: BIO 1321/1121, HIS 2301, HIS 2303, HIS 2321, HIS 2322, PSY 1301, and POL 2311.

Math

Passing Scores - 258 and above on the Next Generation Advanced Algebra test. Restricted classes if minimum passing score is not met: MAT 1302 (college algebra) or any course in which MAT 1302 is a prerequisite.

Your first attempt is free. You may retest one time for a $20 fee per section you wish to retest. You must wait until the next business day before your second attempt. Retesting after the first day of classes is at the discretion of the director.

You can pay for your retest here.