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WKU / AARC / BEP / TLC / Exploratory / College Readiness

Course Placement Information

WKU Student Information

College Readiness in Kentucky

Course Placement Information

In order to maximize students' chances for success, WKU has implemented admissions/enrollment criteria and conditions that reflect a combination of individual measures (e.g., high school GPA, composite ACT) that, in combination are proven indicators of student persistence, retention and performance.  WKU is placing a greater emphasis on placing students in advising tracks and first-year courses according to their readiness needs and declared major upon entry.

It is recommended that students requiring multiple developmental courses limit their registration in developmental courses to two in their first semester. This allows students to enroll in an array of credit-bearing course to complete their schedule and thus make tangible progress toward their degree in their first semester of enrollment.

Developmental & Supplemental Courses at WKU:

English Placement (Domestic Students Only)
ACT English OLD SAT Verbal/Critical Reading

OLD SAT Writing

 NEW SAT Writ.&Lang COMPASS Writing ACCUPLACER English KYOTE Writing GED College Readiness PARCC Smarter Balanced  English Placement Initial Course

0-12

0-330

 0-330 0-18 0-32 0-40 N/A N/A N/A N/A DENG 055C*

13-15

340-400

 340-380 19-22 33-59 41-50 N/A N/A N/A N/A ENG 100C/SUS 099C

16-17

410-440

 390-420 23-24 60-73 51-60 N/A N/A N/A N/A ENG 100E

18-28

450-640

 430 or higher 25 or higher 74 or higher 61 or higher 6 or higher 165 or higher 4 or higher Level 4 ENG 100

*A grade of C or better will place into ENG 100; a grade of D or F will place back into DENG 055C.

International English Placement
ACT English SAT Verbal/Critical Reading SAT Writing NEW SAT Writ.&Lang TOEFL**Internet Based TOEFL**PAPER Based IELTS** ACCUPLACER GED College Readiness PARCC Smarter Balanced English Placement Initial Course

0-12

0-330

0-330

0-18

N/A

N/A

 N/A 0-40 N/A N/A

N/A

 DENG 051C*

13-15

340-400

340-380

 19-22

N/A

 N/A N/A 41-50 N/A N/A N/A ENG 100C /SUS099C

16-17

410-440

390-420

23-24

N/A

N/A

 N/A 51-60 N/A N/A N/A ENG 100E

18-28

450-640

430 or higher

25 or higher

71 or higher

525 or higher

 6.0 or higher 61 or higher 165 or higher 4 or higher Level 4

ENG 100

*A grade of C or better will place into ENG 100; a grade of D or F will place back into DENG 051C.

** TOEFL and IELTS scores are for ENG 100 placement only. These scores cannot place a student into any reading course or into a developmental or enhanced English course.

Reading Placement
ACT Reading OLD SAT Verbal/Critical Reading NEW SAT Reading  COMPASS Reading ACCUPLACER Reading KYOTE Writing PARCC READING SMARTER BALANCED READING GED COLLEGE READINESS READING  Initial Course 
0-14

0-370

 10-20 0-60 0-60 0-5 N/A N/A N/A LTC 199C
15-19

380-460

 21-24 61-84 61-85 6-19 N/A N/A N/A LTCY 199
20-36

470 or higher

 25 or higher 85 or higher 86 or higher 20 or higher 4 or higher Level 4 165 or higher Heavy Reading Course

Nelson Denny*
Comprehension

Vocabulary

 Initial Course

*The Nelson Denny exam is administered to students in LTC 199C and LTCY 199 during their TOP (Topper Orientation Program). If the student scores a 13 or higher on BOTH the Comprehension and Vocabulary sections, the student has tested out of their initial reading placement and no longer has a reading course requirement to complete. If the students scores a 4.1 to 12.9 on the Nelson Denny exam, they will remain in their initial placement.

4.1-12.9

4.1-12.9

 LTCY 199/LTC 199C
13 or higher

13 or higher

 Heavy Reading Course

Mathematics (non-algebra track majors)
ACT Math SAT Math MPE  MDE KYOTE (College Readiness Math) COMPASS (Algebra) ACCUPLACER GED Mathematical Reasoning
 PARCC Smarter Balanced
Initial Course

0-18

0-450

 N/A  N/A 0-21 0-35 N/A N/A N/A N/A MA 109C

19 or higher

460 or higher

 N/A N/A  22 or higher
 36 or higher N/A 165 or higher 4 or higher Level 4


MATH 109/MA 109C

or MATH 112

Mathematics (algebra track majors)
ACT Math SAT Math MPE MDE KYOTE(College Algebra) COMPASS (Algebra) ACCUPLACER GED Mathematical Reasoning
 PARCC Smarter Balanced
Initial Course

0-19*

0-470*

 0-9 0-7 0-9 0-35 0-60 N/A N/A N/A
DMA 055C
10-11  8 or higher 10-11 36-49 61 or higher N/A N/A N/A
DMA 096C

20-21

480-500

 12-13 N/A 12-13 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A MA 115C/116C

22 or higher

510 or higher

 14 or higher  N/A 14 or higher
 50 or higher N/A N/A N/A N/A
MATH 115/116

Note:  It is recommended that students with an Accuplacer score of 85 or higher take an additional placement exam to demonstrate readiness for Math 116. Accuplacer only places for developmental math.

The following math placement exam scores expire after one year: MPE, MDE, COMPASS (Algebra), Accuplacer, KYOTE (College Readiness Math and College Algebra).

*ACT and SAT Math scores must be combined with a student's MPE or MDE score to assess course placement.  Information on course placement can be found at this link http://www.wku.edu/getready/math_placement_information.php 

 

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 Last Modified 5/9/17