Math Placement

What is the Math Placement Exam (MPE)?

The MPE is a test that assesses a student's proficiency in mathematics and determines the appropriate math course for the student's skill level. 

The University of Wyoming utilizes the ALEKS Placement, Preperation, and Learning (PPL) assessment for math placement. ALEKS PPL is an online, adaptive, 25-question placement assessment that determines a student's knowledge across a number of different mathematics topics. 

A student's MPE score can be used to satisfy the prerequisite requirement of a math course, enabling them to test into a higher-level math course without taking the prerequisite course(s). It can also be used for placement into non-math courses that still have math prerequisites, such chemistry, statistics, and business courses. 

The MPE can be taken both in-person and online and must be proctored. Scores are good for one year. 

The ALEKS PPL test pack includes: 1 initial exam attempt, 4 retake attempts, and guided learning preperation between each attempt. 

Who needs to take the MPE? 

All incoming freshmen and transfer students should take the MPE unless you qualify for one of the following exemptions: 

• • The student took a college level math course at another institution or while in high school via a dual or concurrent enrollment program, and official transcripts have been sent and the course will be accepted for transfer credit by the University of Wyoming, and the student received a grade of “C” or better.  If you are unsure if your course will transfer check the course transfer catalog.

  • The student has taken AP Calculus, and has taken one of either the AB or BC exam, and received a score of 3 or higher.

  • The student took International Baccalaureate (IB), and received a score of 4 or higher on the examination. If you are not sure of IB course equivalence, you can look it up on the IB course equivalence page.

  • The student took either an ACT or SAT exam within the last 3 years, and scored the required minimum score. See the Prerequisite and MPE Cut Score Reference Chart below.

If one of these exemptions applies to you, then you may safely disregard the incoming student "Check List" item. The exception item must be on record at least one week before the start of classes. 

How do I know what math course I should take?

All UW students are required to complete a minimum of one college level quantitative reasoning or "Q" course (or test out via ACT, SAT or Math Placement Exam). Students should discuss which course will meet their degree requirements with their academic advisor. 

For quick reference, see the math requirements by major/minor sheet to determine which math courses you may need for your major/minor.

What is a prerequisite?

Prerequisite is a term for "You have to take this, before you can take that." Prerequisites are common in math course work and help to identify the path necessary to get from point A to point B.

Course prerequisites are identified in the course catalog description. Use the Prerequisite and MPE Cut Score Chart below to determine which courses you qualify for now with the scores you currently have.

Prerequisite and MPE Cut Score Reference Chart:

*This course satisfies the USP Q requirement.

**MPE must be proctored to satisfy the Q requirement with a score of 4 or above.

Visit the 2024-2025 University of Wyoming Catalog to view course offerings, descriptions, and prerequisites. 

How to take the MPE 

The MPE can be taken both in-person and online and must be proctored.

There are two options for Math Placement Exam Proctoring:

• Online proctoring

  • Students can download Honorlock, which is the online proctoring extension integrated into ALEKS, for a cost of $10 (plus tax) per exam attempt. Honorlock proctoring is available 24/7.

  • You must use Honorlock if you are taking the MPE outside of an on-campus proctoring session. 

• On-campus proctoring

  • Students can come to one of the on-campus proctoring sessions at no additional cost (other than the ALEKS PPL test pack cost). On-campus proctoring is only available at certain times and locations. 

 Please see detailed information about each option in the MPE resources section below. 

About the exam

• The MPE tests 5 different levels of math proficiency; Arithmetic, Beginning Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, and College Trigonometry. Based on the assessment score you will be given prerequisites accordingly.

• Students have two hours to complete the 25-question exam. On average, it takes between 60-90 minutes to complete.

• Calculators are NOT permitted. ALEKS will provide an on-screen calculator when appropriate.

Testing considerations

• The initial exam should be taken before you attend your scheduled orientation or advising session.

• The exam must be completed before registering for any math course unless one of the qualified exemptions applies to you.

• You may retake the MPE as many times as needed if you are not satisfied with your score. However, you will need to satisfy the preperation requirement in the guided learning modules prior to all subsequent attempts.

• UW accepts the highest score of any attempt or retake provided the exam was proctored and has not expired.

• Your score is good for one year from the assessment date.

MPE Resources

Preparation

How to study for the MPE

MPE Proctoring

Take the MPE on-campus or online

Frequently Asked Questions

• You will receive an unvalidated, raw score in the form of a percentage from ALEKS PPL as soon as you are done with the exam.

• Your score will be automatically sent to UW and will be loaded to your WyoWeb/Student Records/Test Scores Tab if all guidelines were followed. Scores can take up to three business days to load. 

• Once the score has been loaded you may register for the appropriate course on WyoWeb. Your score is good for one year from the assessment date.

  • After one year you will have to purchase access again by phone: (1-800-258-2374) and give them the class code 6EKAN-DPQQ3.

How to see your score in Wyoweb

• Click on "Students" → login → "Student Records" → "Academic Profile" → "Prior Education and Testing"

• MPE scores are loaded there!

What if I don't like the score I got on the MPE?

Good news! You can retake the exam if

• it has been a minimum of 24-hours since the most recent exam attempt

• you have completed the minimum number of hours of guided learning required for the re-take

Guided Learning Modules

The guided learning opportunity is included with your assessment pack purchase. To access the guided learning and retake option you simply need to log back into the ALEKS account you created when you took your first assessment.

Based on your assessment score, you will select one of the guided learning modules, see chart below for recommendations.

Remember, UW accepts the highest score of any exam attempt; it can't hurt to try.