Placement Exam Requirements
Incoming freshmen who are native English speakers are required to complete the Writing Placement Examination (WPE) during the enrollment process for placement into the Lindenwood University composition sequence. This assessment determines which course in the composition sequence will best serve the student.
Students who transfer to Lindenwood University with a grade of C or better in ENGL 15000 or equivalent are placed into ENGL 17000, upon completion of which the students take the Writing Proficiency Assessment (WPA). Students who transfer with a grade of C or better in ENGL 15000 or equivalent and ENGL 17000 or equivalent are required to pass the Writing Proficiency Assessment (WPA), described below.
Non-native English speaking students will take an English language placement exam. The student’s exam score will determine whether the student must enroll in college level English language courses in conjunction with or prior to degree program classes. Note that students whose English placement test results indicate a level of English language proficiency below the level necessary for placement into college level courses will be placed into courses within the University’s English as a Second Language (ESL) Program, where they will receive preparatory, pre-college English language instruction.
Only after receiving an English language exam score will a student receive a class schedule. Note that students arriving after the language placement exam has been administered must arrange to take the exam through the University Writing Center before enrolling in classes. For more information regarding the English Placement Exam, please refer to the Department of English Preparedness section of this catalog.
Lindenwood University requires all students to complete a mathematics placement exam prior to enrolling in any mathematics course higher than MTH 11000 Intermediate Algebra. The only students exempt from this requirement are those who have already satisfied the necessary course requirements or prerequisites through transfer credit. There are two levels of math placement exam: the general education level and the Algebra-Calculus level. (Students will be advised which math placement exam to take depending on their intended course of study). The general education level math placement exam is administered to all students seeking to enroll in any general education mathematics course below MTH 15100 College Algebra. The Algebra-Calculus level math placement exam includes three possible exam options: the College Algebra exam, the Pre-calculus exam, or the Calculus exam. The appropriate exam is administered to students who wish to enroll in any mathematics course between MTH 15100 College Algebra and MTH 27100 Calculus.
All incoming Lindenwood students can access information about their mathematics placement exam through Canvas. Please note that students must use their Lionmail credentials to log into Canvas. The Lindenwood Department of Information Technology webpage provides more information about how to access your Lionmail account. Once the student completes the exam, it is graded and the student is informed of the exam results. The score of the math placement exam determines whether the student will be required to enroll in a mathematics preparatory course before progressing on to the mathematics course(s) required by the chosen degree program. An entry indicating the placement level will be made on the student’s transcript.