Placement Exams
There are two different types of Placement testing available for students . Both are designed to help determine which classes you are able to take first in the given subject. They do not affect your admission status. Please read the descriptions below to find the one that correctly applies to you.
Placement Testing There are single tests available in English, math, foreign language, and chemistry for students who may need to take only one test or more. These tests help determine which classes you are able to take first in the given subject. If you want to re-test in a given subject, are a transfer or re-entry student, or are attending a university other than UW-Milwaukee, you would want to sign up for this type of individual Placement Testing. By choosing a time, you are registering for one test only. However, if you need to take more than one test, we do offer dates in which you can choose to register for two consecutive test times on the same day. Placement testing is offered weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm and some Mondays. You must schedule your test date online.
New Freshman Testing Session If you are an incoming New Freshmen who has been admitted to UW-Milwaukee, you will need to sign up for New Freshman Placement Testing. This is a series of tests completed in one day for New Freshmen only. This session consists of the required math and English tests in the morning, and the option of staying to complete your chemistry and foreign language tests in the afternoon if needed. All UW-Milwaukee New Freshmen who have not completed any tests yet would choose this testing program. By registering for one test date you are able to complete as many of the tests you may need in one session. You must schedule your test date online. For more information regarding the New Freshman Testing Session please visit the New Freshman Testing site.
English Placement Test (EPT) The English Placement Test consists of three subtests. These subtests are English Usage, Sentence Correction, and Reading Comprehension. The entire English Placement Test is designed to be completed in 90 minutes. This is sufficient time for most students to complete the test.
To view sample items and to learn more about the EPT click here:
An appointment is required to take this test. View the exam schedule and register at UWM Online Test Registration.
If you are an incoming New Freshman, you must register for "New Freshman Placement Tests" once you receive your letter inviting you to do so.
Math Placement Test The Mathematics Placement Test consists of 85 items measuring three different sets of skills: Math Basics, Algebra, and Trigonometry. The test takes 90 minutes to complete. Students are allowed to bring and use a scientific calculator; however calculators often will not be provided at the test site. Graphing calculators may not be used and will not be permitted in the testing room. Only non graphing, non programmable calculators are permitted for use on this test.
To view sample items and to learn more about the mathematics placement test click here:
If you are an incoming New Freshman, you must register for "New Freshman Placement Tests" once you receive your letter inviting you to do so.
Foreign Language Placement Test If you plan on enrolling in a French, German or Spanish course, you are required to take the appropriate foreign language test. Students placing into certain foreign language courses may be eligible for retro-credits upon completion of that UWM course. These tests are 65 minutes.
Chemistry Placement Test The purpose of this test is to assist with placement in college level general chemistry courses. Student preparation is assumed to include one full year of high school chemistry and one full year of high school algebra. There are three parts to the test: Part I General Mathematics; Part II General Chemical Knowledge; Part III Specific Chemical Knowledge. This test is 55 minutes. Non graphing, non programmable calculators are permitted for use on this test. The following classifications require the chemistry placement test:
There are two different types of Placement testing available for students . Both are designed to help determine which classes you are able to take first in the given subject. They do not affect your admission status. Please read the descriptions below to find the one that correctly applies to you.
Placement Testing There are single tests available in English, math, foreign language, and chemistry for students who may need to take only one test or more. These tests help determine which classes you are able to take first in the given subject. If you want to re-test in a given subject, are a transfer or re-entry student, or are attending a university other than UW-Milwaukee, you would want to sign up for this type of individual Placement Testing. By choosing a time, you are registering for one test only. However, if you need to take more than one test, we do offer dates in which you can choose to register for two consecutive test times on the same day. Placement testing is offered weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm and some Mondays. You must schedule your test date online.
New Freshman Testing Session If you are an incoming New Freshmen who has been admitted to UW-Milwaukee, you will need to sign up for New Freshman Placement Testing. This is a series of tests completed in one day for New Freshmen only. This session consists of the required math and English tests in the morning, and the option of staying to complete your chemistry and foreign language tests in the afternoon if needed. All UW-Milwaukee New Freshmen who have not completed any tests yet would choose this testing program. By registering for one test date you are able to complete as many of the tests you may need in one session. You must schedule your test date online. For more information regarding the New Freshman Testing Session please visit the New Freshman Testing site.
- English Placement Test
- Math Placement Test
- Foreign Language Placement Tests
- Chemistry Placement Test
- English as a Second Language - Placement in Composition Test (ESL-PIC)
- Japanese Placement Test
- Placement Results
- Placement Test Development Committees
- The Proper use of Placement Test Scores
English Placement Test (EPT) The English Placement Test consists of three subtests. These subtests are English Usage, Sentence Correction, and Reading Comprehension. The entire English Placement Test is designed to be completed in 90 minutes. This is sufficient time for most students to complete the test.
To view sample items and to learn more about the EPT click here:
An appointment is required to take this test. View the exam schedule and register at UWM Online Test Registration.
If you are an incoming New Freshman, you must register for "New Freshman Placement Tests" once you receive your letter inviting you to do so.
Math Placement Test The Mathematics Placement Test consists of 85 items measuring three different sets of skills: Math Basics, Algebra, and Trigonometry. The test takes 90 minutes to complete. Students are allowed to bring and use a scientific calculator; however calculators often will not be provided at the test site. Graphing calculators may not be used and will not be permitted in the testing room. Only non graphing, non programmable calculators are permitted for use on this test.
To view sample items and to learn more about the mathematics placement test click here:
- Mathematics Placement Test Description and Sample Items
- Department of Mathematical Sciences
- Milwaukee Mathematics Partnership
- Math Review Activities & Skills Tests
- Early Math Placement Tool (EMPT) Assessment
If you are an incoming New Freshman, you must register for "New Freshman Placement Tests" once you receive your letter inviting you to do so.
Foreign Language Placement Test If you plan on enrolling in a French, German or Spanish course, you are required to take the appropriate foreign language test. Students placing into certain foreign language courses may be eligible for retro-credits upon completion of that UWM course. These tests are 65 minutes.
- French Placement Test Information
- German Placement Test Information
- Spanish Placement Test Information
- Foreign Language Requirements
Chemistry Placement Test The purpose of this test is to assist with placement in college level general chemistry courses. Student preparation is assumed to include one full year of high school chemistry and one full year of high school algebra. There are three parts to the test: Part I General Mathematics; Part II General Chemical Knowledge; Part III Specific Chemical Knowledge. This test is 55 minutes. Non graphing, non programmable calculators are permitted for use on this test. The following classifications require the chemistry placement test:
College of Health Sciences
College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Note: The Chemistry placement test is only offered at UW-Milwaukee and is not available at Regional Placement Testing.
An appointment is required to take this test. View the exam schedule and register at UWM Online Test Registration.
English as a Second Language - Placement in Composition Test (ESL-PIC)
If you grew up speaking a language other than English, you should take this test. As an ESL (English as a Second Language) writer, you can complete your English writing requirement by taking ESL writing courses instead of the English writing courses designed for native speakers of English. The ESL writing courses can also help you do better in all of your university courses. This test lasts 75 minutes and includes a 50 minute essay and a 25 minute reading comprehension test. You may bring a print dictionary to check your spelling in your essay. Electronic dictionaries are not allowed.
An appointment is required to take this test. View the ESL-PIC test schedule and register at UWM Online Test Registration.
For more information on the ESL-PIC test, contact Cathy Kaye, the ESL Writing Course Coordinator at cjkaye@uwm.edu or 414-229-6180 or visit her office in Curtin Hall 678.
Note: The ESL PIC test is only offered at UW-Milwaukee and is not available at Regional Placement Testing.
Japanese Placement Test
This test will determine placement into the appropriate Japanese course. The test lasts 65 minutes. A referral from the Japanese department is required to determine which level test you should complete. For more information on the Japanese test contact Atsuko Suga Borgmann at 414-229-5650 or visit the Foreign Language and Linguistics site. Once the Japanese Department has determined which semester you should test for, you will need to complete a Japanese Placement Request in our UWM Online Test Registration.
Once the Testing Center approves this request, you will be able to register to complete the exam any time Correspondence Paper Based testing is offered. Please see our testing calendar for more information on test dates or to fill out a request. An approved request and appointment are required to take this exam.
Placement Results
Upon exam completion, placement test score results are loaded to the student’s record in PAWS and milestones indicating the student’s placement level in corresponding courses are created. Placement levels are determined by the academic department affiliated with the exam and are reviewed annually.
- BioMedical Sciences (BioMedical Sciences, Cytotechnology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Sciences, Public Health Microbiology, Radiologic Technology)*
- Kinesiology*
College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering Science
- Engineering Undecided
- Industrial Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Astronomy
- Atmospheric Science
- Biological Sciences
- Chemistry
- Conservation & Environmental Sciences
- Geological Sciences
- Physics
- Pre-Chiropractic
- Pre-Dentistry
- Pre-Forestry
- Pre-Health Professions
- Pre-Medicine
- Pre-Optometry
- Pre-Podiatric
- Pre-Pharmacy
- Pre-Physician Assistant
- Pre-Veterinary Medicine
- Pre-Nursing
Note: The Chemistry placement test is only offered at UW-Milwaukee and is not available at Regional Placement Testing.
An appointment is required to take this test. View the exam schedule and register at UWM Online Test Registration.
English as a Second Language - Placement in Composition Test (ESL-PIC)
If you grew up speaking a language other than English, you should take this test. As an ESL (English as a Second Language) writer, you can complete your English writing requirement by taking ESL writing courses instead of the English writing courses designed for native speakers of English. The ESL writing courses can also help you do better in all of your university courses. This test lasts 75 minutes and includes a 50 minute essay and a 25 minute reading comprehension test. You may bring a print dictionary to check your spelling in your essay. Electronic dictionaries are not allowed.
An appointment is required to take this test. View the ESL-PIC test schedule and register at UWM Online Test Registration.
For more information on the ESL-PIC test, contact Cathy Kaye, the ESL Writing Course Coordinator at cjkaye@uwm.edu or 414-229-6180 or visit her office in Curtin Hall 678.
Note: The ESL PIC test is only offered at UW-Milwaukee and is not available at Regional Placement Testing.
Japanese Placement Test
This test will determine placement into the appropriate Japanese course. The test lasts 65 minutes. A referral from the Japanese department is required to determine which level test you should complete. For more information on the Japanese test contact Atsuko Suga Borgmann at 414-229-5650 or visit the Foreign Language and Linguistics site. Once the Japanese Department has determined which semester you should test for, you will need to complete a Japanese Placement Request in our UWM Online Test Registration.
Once the Testing Center approves this request, you will be able to register to complete the exam any time Correspondence Paper Based testing is offered. Please see our testing calendar for more information on test dates or to fill out a request. An approved request and appointment are required to take this exam.
Placement Results
Upon exam completion, placement test score results are loaded to the student’s record in PAWS and milestones indicating the student’s placement level in corresponding courses are created. Placement levels are determined by the academic department affiliated with the exam and are reviewed annually.