Placement testing helps determine the appropriate first courses in English, Math, Reading, and Composition for first-time and transfer students who have not completed English 1310 and/or Math 1311 or their equivalents.

Testing Requirements

Who completes placement testing?

Exemptions

Cut scores and documentation.

Practice Materials

Math pre-test exam and solutions.

Accommodations

Testing support before SOAR.

Placement Testing and Developmental Education

Find the right starting point.

Students complete placement testing at McMurry University or submit scores from TSI, Asset, or Accuplacer.

Check exemption scores

Who must test

All first-time college students and transfer students who have not completed English 1310 and/or Math 1311 or their equivalents must complete placement testing in math, reading, and composition.

If developmental coursework is needed

Students must enroll in the appropriate developmental education class or classes until earning a grade of C- or better. Students must satisfy this requirement before advancing to related college-level courses.

If testing is declined

Students who decline required testing automatically accept placement into developmental education classes.

English placement testing

Students taking the English placement exam will take a grammar placement exam and submit a writing sample, which the English Department will grade.

Exemption Cut Scores

ACT/SAT score guide

Some students may qualify for exemptions from one or more placement tests if their ACT/SAT subscores meet or exceed the established cutoffs.

Assessment Area Minimum score
SAT (2016) Math 560 or higher
SAT (2016) Reading 27 or higher
SAT (2016) Writing & Language 28 or higher
ACT English 19 or higher
ACT Math 23 or higher
ACT Reading 19 or higher

Home-Schooled Students

The Department of Education approves McMurry’s placement tests as an ability-to-benefit measure for home-schooled students.

Documentation

Students may be exempt from placement testing with qualifying TSI/ACCUPLACER scores or approved concurrent/dual credit courses. Submit all documentation to the Office of the Registrar.

Diagnostic Testing

Students placed in ACAD 1013D, ACAD 1023D, ENGL 1041D, MATH 1013D, or MATH 1023D will take a diagnostic pre-test on the first day of class.

Practice and Policy

Placement resources

For more information on the Academic Placement Policy, view the Developmental Education & Academic Placement Policy.

Developmental Education

Preparation for college-level coursework.

McMurry University understands that some students need preparation for college-level coursework and seeks to respond to their individual differences and special needs by offering comprehensive developmental education courses.

Students will be enrolled in the appropriate level developmental English, mathematics, and/or reading course based on student placement results and are required to register for and continually enroll in the developmental course(s) until they are passed with a grade of C- or better.

Because McMurry University believes that success is linked to student engagement and practice, developmental courses may include lab requirements.

Testing Support

SpecialAccommodations

To receive special accommodations for testing, students must first complete the online Application for Accommodations form.

Student Accessibility and Accommodations

1

Documentation must be from a licensed or certified professional in the disability area, such as a psychologist, physician, or educational diagnostician.

2

The licensed or certified professional must have evaluated the student within the last three years.

3

Information must be received by the Office of Student Accessibility and Accommodations Coordinator at least 2 weeks before SOAR.