Student taking placement test

Course Placement at Mid-State

What Is Course Placement?

Course placement helps ensure you start in classes that match your current skills and support your success. Mid-State uses placement information to determine the right starting level in areas like reading, writing, and math.

Your placement is based on one or more of the following:

  • Placement assessment scores
  • High school transcripts
  • College transcripts
  • Prior degrees or credentials

An academic advisor reviews this information along with your program goals to recommend the best courses for you.

Do I Need to Take a Placement Assessment?

Not every student needs to take a placement assessment. Your course placement is often determined using information you already have, such as transcripts or test scores.

Mid-State uses one or more of the following to determine placement:

  • High school transcripts
  • College transcripts
  • Placement assessment scores (such as Accuplacer)
  • ACT scores
  • GED or TABE scores
  • ALEKS PPL results

When a Placement Assessment Is Needed

You may be asked to take a placement assessment if:

  • You are new to college and do not have recent transcripts
  • You do not have prior college-level coursework in math or English
  • You are returning to college after a long break
  • An advisor needs additional information to place you accurately

When a Placement Assessment Is Usually Not Needed

You typically do not need a placement assessment if you:

  • Have recent high school or college transcripts
  • Have approved placement test scores from the last five years
  • Have completed an associate degree or higher

If you submit more than one option, an academic advisor will use the information that best supports accurate placement.

Not sure what applies to you? That’s okay—Mid-State will review your information and guide you through the next step.

Already Have Placement Scores or Transcripts?

Placement Assessment Taken Within the Last Five Years

Submit a copy of your scores (choose one):

  • Bring your scores to the Student Services & Information Center (SSIC) at any campus -or- 
  • Email your scores to admissions@mstc.edu
High School or College Transcripts

Step 1  –  Submit transcripts (choose one):

  • Bring your transcripts to the Student Services & Information Center (SSIC) at any Mid-State campus -or-
  • Email your transcripts to admissions@mstc.edu

Step 2  –  Schedule a meeting with your advisor to determine your course placement results

Associate Degree or Higher

Students who have completed an associate degree or higher typically do not need a placement assessment.
Submit your transcripts using the options above.

About Mid-State's Placement Assessment

If a placement assessment is needed, Mid-State uses Accuplacer, a computer-based assessment that measures skills in:

  • Reading comprehension
  • Writing and language
  • Arithmetic
  • Elementary algebra

There is no pass or fail. Results are used only for course placement.

Schedule a Placement Assessment

To schedule a virtual or in-person placement assessment with a dedicated Testing Center staff member, choose one of these options:

Prepare Before You Test

A little preparation can help you place into the right courses. Visit the Accuplacer Preparation site to review sample questions and study tips.

Testing Details

Locations: Adams, Marshfield, Stevens Point Downtown, Wisconsin Rapids, or Virtual

Cost: Free for Mid-State students. All non-Mid-State students will be required to pay $20.00 for an in-person proctoring fee or $28.00 for an online proctoring fee.
    
What to Bring:

  • Valid photo ID (government-issued or student ID)
  • Proctoring fee (if required)

Testing Rules:

  • Handheld calculators are not allowed
  • On-screen calculators are provided when permitted
  • Scratch paper and writing utensils are provided
  • Personal belongings should be left at home or in your vehicle (lockers are available)
Accommodations

Students who need testing accommodations should contact Accessibility Services before scheduling their assessment.

Placement Assessment Score Reports

Need a copy of your placement scores? Visit the Placement Assessment Score Report Request page for details.