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Placement Testing

A page within Counseling & Testing


University of Wisconsin System Center for Placement testing

The University of Wisconsin placement tests for English and Math are required for all new students.

The World Language Tests are required if your degree option or major has a language requirement.

Don't delay taking the UW Placement Tests as they are used to help you register & progress toward a degree.

UWL Students should take Math Test A, the un-proctored, online, on demand, math test. You can take the exam from home on your own computer 24/7 once registered.

  • Math Test B is proctored and may incur an additional fee for proctoring. Content covered is the same, but Math Test B is proctored, either remotely or in a group test setting.

Want to repeat the UW Placement Test?
Scroll down to Option 2: INDIVIDUAL Private Testing

The policy for re-taking the Placement Tests varies by school.  
The online exam allows for only one attempt at the test.

At UWL the most recent test score is used for placement.
Students wishing to retake any UW placement test:

  • May retake the test once
  • Must retake it on the UWL campus
  • Must wait 30 days between your initial exam and any retest
  • Must take an alternate form of the exam
  • The most recent scores are used for placement

    Sample exams are available online as PDF files (answers are at the end)

For more information, visit the University of Wisconsin Center for Placement Testing site.

PLACEMENT TEST OPTIONS


Option 1: REGIONAL Testing, online and on demand


 

UW Placement Testing is now an on-line exam.

Registration for the Spring 2024 testing cycle opens on or about March 15, 2024.

  • Take the test from home on your computer or tablet (not on your phone, it's too small) at your convenience.
  • The on-line test is available 24/7 to Test From Home.
  • Register at this link:
    https://exams.wisc.edu/placement/regionaltesting/information.php
  • You must have an active UWL NetID to register for the on-line exam.
    For more information on activating your UWL NetID, see the Password Management page:
    https://www.uwlax.edu/info/password-reset/
  • UW Placement Registration Screen Shots
  • EMAIL: The registration system will send you emails and it is important that you use an email account which you check often and which will remain active after your leave high school.
    • It is best to use a personal email account (such as a Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, iCloud, or AOL).
    • Be sure to check your spam or junk folder for the registration confirmation emails. 
    • Email confirmation will be sent upon successful registration from: regionaltesting@exams.wisc.edu
      Once your registration is confirmed, you will be emailed instructions from Meazure Learning, the test provider.
      This email will come from: candidatesupport@meazurelearning.com
      Be sure to check your Spam or Junk folder if you don’t get the Meazure Learning email within a few minutes of receiving your confirmation of registration.
  • FEE:  You will not pay a fee when you register or when you test.
    • A placement test development fee of $45 will be added to your account on your first U-Bill.
      This fee covers the authoring, development, printing, shipping, administration, and scoring of the tests.
  • SCORING: 
    • You will designate UWL as the score recipient when you register.
      Scores will be added to your WINGS record ten days to two weeks after you submit your test.
      Scores are loaded to WINGS each Friday afternoon.
      Contact the Test Center if your scores do not appear in WINGS two weeks after testing.
      We will search for them.
      testing@uwlax.edu
  • DELIVERY:
  • TEST TIPS
    • Browser- Any browser should work but Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari are recommended.
    • PC or MAC - Either should work. The test is web based and it should work from both platforms.
    • Calculator -There is a calculator built into the Math exam.
    • Scratch paper -You may use scratch paper and a pencil to do preliminary calculations.
    • Quiet location-Take the tests in a quiet location so that you aren’t distracted or interrupted.
    • Test timing -The tests are timed. MATH is 90 minutes, ENGLISH is 90 minutes, WORLD LANGUAGES is 60 minutes. The timer will show on the screen.
      • Most students find this is sufficient time to complete the exams.
    • Tests are available 24/7 for six months after you successfully register.
    • It is not necessary to take all the tests at one sitting.
    • Tests may be split up and taken over several days.
    • Remember to Submit when all exams are complete.
    • Scoring - Data is sent form the test provider, Meazure Learning, to the UW Center for Placement Testing in Madison at the end of each business day.
      The UWCPT processes scores each Friday and UWL Admissions loads scores to WINGS on Friday afternoons
      You can check your WINGS account for your scores ten days to two weeks after you submit your exams.
  • TECH SUPPORT
  • Remember to Submit when all exams are complete.

  • SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:
    • We want to make the test accessible to all students so everyone can perform at their best and fully demonstrate their skill level.
      To request accommodations due to a disability on the University of Wisconsin placement tests, please follow these instructions:Email the following information to Tim O’Connor at tnoconno@wisc.edu:This process is completed electronically, so it is very important to list an accurate email address and one that you will check regularly.
    • (1) Name, (2) Email address you will use for placement testing registration, (3) Date of birth, (4) Campus you are planning to attend, (5) Accommodations being requested, (6) Documentation verifying the disability and need for the accommodations. This should be either a letter on high school letterhead from your counselor or someone else at the school familiar with your accommodations stating what those accommodations have been for tests such as the ACT or a current 504 plan or IEP (Individualized Education Plan). The 504 plan or IEP must be from within the last three years.
    • Do not register for the placement tests online until you have emailed the information below and received a response from the UW Center for Placement Testing in Madison.

 


Option 2: INDIVIDUAL Private Testing (at the UWL Testing Center)


PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR RETESTING

  • REGISTRATION
    • Register on-line at REGISTER BLAST (you must register at least 72 hours in advance of your desired test appointment).  Choose Proctored Correspondence Exams (Paper/Pencil)
    • All on-line registrations are final and no refunds will be given. We will reschedule your exam once for free, but you must contact our center in writing at least 24 hours before your scheduled exam.
    • Upon successful registration, you will receive an email confirmation. IMPORTANT: If you do not receive an email confirmation, there may be a problem with your registration. Check that you entered a valid email address.  Then check your spam folder. The confirmation email may be blocked by your spam blocker. If none of these conditions exist, please contact our Testing Center.
  • DATESIndividual appointments are available year round, Monday - Friday, at 9:00 am, 11:00 am, & 2:00 pm.
  • LOCATION: Counseling & Testing Center, 2106 Centennial Hall on the UWL campus.
  • FEE: A placement test development fee of $45 will be added to your first university bill during your initial enrollment at UWL.
    Individual private appointments incur an additional fee of $33.50 for the convenience of flexible scheduling and immediate scoring.
    Payment options for private individual appointments include VISA, Discover, MC, and AmEx.
    All on-line registrations through RegisterBlast are final and no refunds will be given.
  • SCORING: This option includes immediate hand scoring and entry of scores into your WINGS record.
  • DELIVERY:  Paper based.
  • RESCHEDULING: Please contact the UWL Testing Center in writing at least 24 hours before your scheduled exam and we will reschedule your exam once for free.
  • Schedule one 2 hour appointment for each exam you need.
  • You will receive an email reminder two days before your scheduled appointment date.
  • Print your confirmation receipt and bring it with you on your test date.

Emergency & on-campus resources

Emergency Resources 

  • Off-Campus EMERGENCY: 911
  • On Campus EMERGENCY: 608.789.9999 (UWL Police)
  • UW Mental Health Support 24/7: call/text 888.531.2142
    • UWL Mental Health Crisis and Emotional Support for UWL Students.

On Campus Resources

  • ACCESS Center: 608.785.6900
    • Help with accommodations for students with disabilities
  • Center for Transformative Justice: 608.785.5094
    • Support with belonging on campus and reporting a hate or bias incident.
  • Student Life608.785.8062
    • Resource for students in distress and needing resources, faculty with concern about a student disruption, help with meeting basic needs, and campus CARE team.
  • Student Health Center: 608.785.8558
    • Medical providers available for student health care needs including primary care, mental health, and same-day care. 
  • Violence Prevention: 608.785.5126
    • Confidential support and advocacy for anyone in the campus community who has experienced sexual assault, stalking, violence, abuse, or threats. 

 

More 24/7 Crisis Resources 

  • La Crosse County Mobile Crisis: 608.784.HELP (4357)
    • Local mental health support and evaluation of risk via phone and/or in person.
  • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
    • Nationwide mental health support and crisis intervention via phone, text, or chat. Veterans and other service members and their families, press 1 to be connected with specific supports. 
  • Trevor Lifeline: 866.488.7386
    • Crisis and emotional support for LGBTQ+ youth up to age 25.
  • The Steve Fund: Text 'STEVE' to 741741
    • Crisis and emotional support for students of color.
  • Text ‘Hopeline’ to 741741 
    • Nationwide text-based mental health support
  • Great Rivers 211 Helpline: 211 or 800.362.TALK (8255)
    • Local support and help in connecting with resources for meeting basic needs for food, housing, healthcare, childcare, etc.