College Placement
Placement Requirements
- Using existing documentation that can be used for math and/or English placement, like
past high school or college transcripts
- Taking LWTech's FREE Math and/or English Guided Self-Placement assessment
- A combination of both the above options
*Please note that some student populations must complete the Guided Self-Placement process and are unable to utilize existing documentation for placement. These populations include High School Programs (Lake Washington Technical Academy, Open Doors) and International Programs students.
Which Placement Option is Right for You?
To assist us in determining the right placement option for you, you will complete
a Placement Survey. You can access this after your admission to LWTech.
- Visit LWTech's Free Math and English Placement Canvas
- Sign-in with your LWTech provided email address and password
- Click “Enroll in Course”
- Click “Go to the Course”.
- Click the link that says “Guided Self-Placement” at the top of the “Welcome” page.
If you have any of the follow Alternative Placement Options, you can upload unofficial copies for review using the Placement Survey within the Math and English Placement Canvas course.
Alternative Placement Options
For students with existing documentation that can be used for Math and English placement.
Test Reciprocity from Another College
Option
Placement tests or assessments taken at other Washington Community or Technical Colleges may be utilized for placement due to a state wide reciprocity agreement.
Expires
- Expires 1 year from date taken
For all entering students at any Washington community and technical college, system policy states:
- A student who qualifies for a specific level of pre-college math, English, or reading, either through course completion or local skills assessment, will have that course placement level honored at another Washington Community or Technical college if the student so requests, even if the courses may not be exact equivalents.
- A student who qualifies for entry into college-level math, English, or reading, either through course completion or local skills assessment, will be considered to have met the entry college-level standard at every community and technical college.
- Students requesting reciprocity must initiate the process within one year of their initial placement assessment.
Students may complete an optional Placement Reciprocity Form along with their unofficial placement score documentation.
Unofficial Transcripts for Placement
Option
Provide transcripts from another college with a grade of 2.0 or higher in English or Math courses. College must be accredited by one of the following accredited agencies to use for placement or credit transfer purposes:
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Expires
No expiration
Notes
You must provide an official sealed copy of the transcript to have the class(es) transferred into LWTech to count towards your program of study. To transfer credits to LWTech, visit LWTech.edu/Transfer for instructions. Unofficial transcripts can be used for placement purposes only.
International Transcripts
Advisors can use international transcripts for placement only if the transcript has been evaluated by an international credential evaluation agency. For more information visit LWTech.edu/Transfer.
Unofficial High School Transcript
Option
Provide an unofficial high school transcript showing class & grade requirement(s) below within the time limit listed.
Placement using unofficial high school transcript can be utilized by high school graduates and by current high school students who have completed at least the first semester of sophomore year.
Time Limit
The time limit listed is from the date of graduation and applies to the following fall quarter. For example, a student who graduated from high school in June 2021 may use their high school transcript for placement to register for all quarters leading up to and including Fall 2022 for 1 year time limits and Fall 2023 for 2 year time limit placement options.
English
| High School Course and Grade | Time Limits | Placement into LWTech Course |
|---|---|---|
|
B grade or better in approved English class
*English as a Second Language English courses may not be used for placement. |
2 years |
ENGL&101 |
|
B or better grade in Bridge to College English* class as a senior *English as a Second Language English courses may not be used for placement. |
1 year | ENGL&101 |
Math
Non-STEM Math Placement
- Non-STEM Math definition: When the program math requirement is Math 105, Math&107, or Math&146
Time Limit
- Graduation within the last 2 years
Notes
- If more than one category applies, student may register for the higher-numbered course.
- If it has been more than 2 years since high-school graduation, student will need to take non-STEM placement test.
- If student does not agree with transcript placement, student may challenge by taking non-STEM placement test.
| High School Course | Grade & Placement into LWTech Non-STEM Math |
|---|---|
| 1 year of Pre-Calculus, Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry combo class, or Calculus, |
|
| 2 years of Algebra |
|
|
1 year of Algebra and/or Geometry |
|
| Bridge to College Math Course |
|
| AP Statistics |
|
STEM Math Placement
- STEM Math definition: When the program requires Math 111, Math&141, Math&142, Math&148, or Math&151+
Time Limit
- Graduation within the last 1 year
Notes
- If more than one category applies, student may register for the higher-numbered course.
- If it has been more than 1 year since high-school graduation, student will need to take STEM placement test.
- If student does not agree with transcript placement, student may challenge by taking STEM placement test.
- Any student who places into Math&141 or higher may also register for Math 105, Math&107, or Math&146.
| High School Course | Grade & Placement into LWTech STEM Math |
|---|---|
| 1 year of Calculus |
|
| 1 year of Pre-Calculus or Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry Combo Class |
|
|
2 years of Algebra |
|
| 1 year of Algebra and/or Geometry |
|
| Bridge to College Math course |
|
Provide Smarter Balanced Test Scores
Option
Provide Smarter Balanced Test scores showing the following requirements within the time limit listed.
Expires
Spring quarter following high school graduation. Ex: If student graduated in June 2019, they could use this placement through June 2020 (end of spring quarter at LWTech).
English Placement
For placement into ENGL&101 (English Composition):
- Level 3 or 4 score on high school Smarter Balanced assessment
Math Placement
For placement into Math& 107 (Math in Society), Math& 146 (Statistics), or their equivalents:
- Level 3 or 4 score on high school Smarter Balanced assessment
Notes
Agreement in effect for graduating classes 2018-2022
Provide AP Test Scores
Option
Provide unofficial documentation showing Math or English with the appropriate score for placement purposes only.
Process
- Provide a copy of AP test scores during a meeting with an Advisor after completing the admission process and receiving a Student Identification Number.
- The Advisor will evaluate the score and place the student into the appropriate courses
Expiration
No expiration
Officially Transferring AP Credits to LWTech
LWTech will award transfer credits for these AP exams. To transfer AP credits to LWTech, visit LWTech.edu/Transfer for instructions. Unofficial AP scores can be used for placement purposes only.
ACT and SAT Test Scores
Option
Provide ACT or SAT test scores following requirements within the time limit listed.
Process
- Provide a copy of test scores during a meeting with an Advisor after completing the admission process and receiving a Student Identification Number.
- The Advisor will evaluate the score and place the student into the appropriate courses
| Test and Score | Time Limits | Placement into LWTech Course |
|---|---|---|
| ACT: Score of 23 or better in math | 2 years | Math 105, &107, or &146 |
| ACT test scores: 19 or better in English | 2 years | ENGL&101 |
| SAT: Score of 550 or better in math | 2 years | Math 105, &107, or &146 |
| SAT scores: score of 500 or better in evidence-based reading and writing | 2 years | ENGL&101 |
TOEFL & IELTS
For placement into ENGL&101
- TOEFL*: iBT 72 (Writing 18). LWTech’s Institutional Code for sending TOEFL scores is C117 Lake Washington Inst Techlgy-Other
- IELTS*: 6.0 (5.5 Writing)
Free Guided Self Placement Assessment
For students without existing documentation/alternative placement options.
English and Math Guided Self Placement Information
The English placement is based on a writing sample developed by the student in response to a short reading passage and writing prompt. Students will have one day to complete the sample. See for more information on the main Assessment webpage. Two English faculty will score it based on a rubric developed by the English Department. The faculty will return the assessed result to the Assessment Center, with a recommended class, and students should then watch the video about the recommended class and the classes one level higher or lower before making a registration decision.
- Scoring: writing samples will be scored within one business day during the regular business hours of the college.
- Expires: 2 years
- English Retesting Eligibility: students may retest one year after taking the test with the approval of the English Department Chairperson.
English Course Placement Guide
|
Recommended Placement |
Courses Student Can Register |
|---|---|
| EASL ( English as a second language) | Refer to Academic Support Center for ESL or Academic I-BEST |
| ABED 046 | Must go to Academic Support center for registration into ABED 046 or Academic I-BEST |
| English 093 | Must go to Academic Support center for registration into ABED 046 or Academic IBEST or ENGL 093 or ENGL 099 |
| ENGL 099 | ENGL 093 or ENGL 099 or Engl& 101 |
| Engl& 101 | ENGL 099 or Engl& 101 |
The Math GSP uses Washington Mathematics Assessment and Placement (WAMAP). Students will select the STEM or non-STEM problem set when taking the math assessment. The test is not timed, and math scores will be available right after a student completes the assessment. The student’s results will recommend a class, and students should then watch the video about the recommended class and the classes one level higher or lower before making a registration decision.
- Expires: 2 years
- Math Retesting Eligibility: students may retest one year after taking the test with the approval of the Math Department Chairperson.
Which Math Placement (STEM or non-STEM) should I take?
Students who are pursuing programs that are NOT listed below may take the non-STEM version of the placement test if they do not have an alternative placement option.
Students pursuing any of the programs below must take the STEM placement if they do not have an alternative placement option.
Programs That Require STEM Math
Associate in Applied Science
- Architectural Technology, AAS or AAS-T
- Computer Security and Network Technology, AAS-T
- Computing and Software Development, AAS or AAS-T
- Electronics Technology, AAS-T
- Mechanical Design Technology, AAS-T
Associate DTA/MRP
- Biology, Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program (DTA/MRP)
- Business, Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program (DTA/MRP)
- Computer Science, Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program (DTA/MRP)
- Construction Management, Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program (DTA/MRP)
- Math Education, Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program (DTA/MRP)
Associate in Science – Transfer, Track 2
- Bioengineering and Chemical Pre-Engineering, Associate in Science Transfer
- Computer and Electrical Pre-Engineering, Associate in Science Transfer
- Mechanical, Civil, Aeronautical, Industrial, Materials Science Pre-Engineering, Associate in Science Transfer
Math Course Placement Guide
Problem Set A – non-STEM math leading to Math 098, Math 105, Math& 107 or Math& 146
| Recommended Placement | Assessment Score | Courses Student Can Register |
|---|---|---|
| ABED 040 | 0.00-2.49 | For ABED 040 must go to Academic Support Center for additional placement assessment. |
| Math 087 | 2.50-7.49 | For ABED 040 must go to Academic Support Center to register or Math 087, Math 098 or Math 105 |
| Math 098 | 7.50-17.49 | Math 087, Math 098, Math 105, Math& 107 or Math& 146 |
| Math& 107 or Math& 146 | 17.50-25.00 | Math 098, Math 105, Math& 107 or Math& 146 |
Problem Set B – STEM math leading to Math 090, 099, 111, &141
Note: The STEM Math Placement only places as high as MATH&141 (pre-calculus). If you score into MATH&141, you can request to take an additional STEM math placement test for placement into MATH&142 and above.
| Recommended Placement | Assessment Score | Courses Student Can Register |
|---|---|---|
| ABED 040 | 0.00-2.99 | For ABED 040 must go to Academic Support Center for additional placement assessment. |
| Math 087 | 3.00-8.99 | For ABED 040 must go to Academic Support Center to register Math 087 or Math 098 or Math 105 |
| Math 099X or Math 090 and Math 099 | 9.00-20.99 | Math 087, Math 090, Math 099, Math 099x, Math 105, Math& 107, Math 111, Math& 146,
Math& 141 or Math 145 Students needing slower pace: take Math 090 then take Math 099 Students wanting to go at a faster pace: take Math 099X |
| Math 111 or math& 141 or Math 145 | 21.00-30.00 | Math 090, Math 099, Math 099x, Math 105, Math& 107, Math 111, Math& 146, Math& 141 |
Note: The STEM Math Placement only places as high as MATH&141 (pre-calculus). If you score into MATH&141, you can request to take an additional STEM math placement test for placement into MATH&142 and above.