Core Writing Placement

All students, regardless of their major, must meet the Writing (W) general education requirement to graduate from Montana State University. There are multiple ways to earn Writing (W) CORE credit:

  • Pass WRIT 101W – College Writing I or WRIT 101/001 – College Writing with Co-requisite support for College Writing with a grade of C- or better.
  • Earn an exemption through test scores (ACT, SAT, AP, IB) or a high school GPA of 3.9 or higher (Level 400 in the placement table below)
  • Earn credit for courses from other college/university as a transfer equivalency; transfer equivalency credits are housed in MyInfo, second option from the bottom.
  • Students without test scores or a recent high school GPA, as well as students seeking a higher placement, can take the EdReady Writing Placement to generate a placement score.

Information regarding placement exams can be found on the web page for the Office of Admissions

EdReady Writing Placement

Montana State University and Gallatin College have partnered with EDReadyMT to create a free online writing assessment available to students who plan to attend MSU. Specific details about MSU’s EdReady Writing Placement are outlined in this tutorial video.

Astudent can complete the EdReady Writing Placement (WP) to generate a placement score.

The WP assessment does not exempt students from taking the Writing (W) Core requirements.  The WP determines which writing course a student should enroll in based on their current writing skill level. 

If a student feels their EdReady Writing Placement score does not align with the writing course they wish to take, students can use the EdReady system to work through the study path which guides students in independent writing lessons and review.  Students can advance one (1) writing level after successfully completing the study path the day before the semester starts.  The WP can only be taken once and that a score of 90 or higher on the WP study path must be obtained to place into the next level of writing.  Students with a placement Level 100 will only be able to advance to the next level (Level 200).

Deadlines

The last day to take the EdReady Writing Placement for placement determination is 11:59 pm on the fourth class day of the semester.

The last day to improve an EdReady Writing Placement score and move one (1) placement level is 11:59 pm on the day before classes start.

Please see the Writing Placement FAQ’s for additional information.

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Writing Placement at Montana State University

     Updated 04/25/25

 

WRITING PLACEMENT

 

 

MSU COURSE

Level 100

  • ACT English Language: 0 – 15
  • ACT Combined English/Writing: 0 – 15
  • ACT Writing Subject: 3 – 4
  • ACT Writing Sub-score: 3 – 4
  • ACT English: 0 – 15
  • SAT Writing/Language: 10 – 18
  • High School GPA: 1.00 - 1.99
  • EdReady WP Score: 0 - 55                                                                                                                                                                                                           

WRIT 080 – Building Basic Writing Skills

  • Offered only through Gallatin College MSU
  • Building Basic Writing Skills introduces students to critical reading practices by focusing on textual analysis of non-fiction works and to writing for academic purposes by focusing on the development of the paragraph. The course also provides, in the context of writing, a review and reinforcement of principles of English grammar and punctuation associated with successful college-level writing. The goal of this course is to develop confidence and the ability to write clear and effective paragraphs and to read college-level texts. Course does not earn college-level credit.
  • Four (4) Credits; Lecture

Level 200

  • ACT English Language: 16 – 17
  • ACT Combined English/Writing: 16 – 17
  • ACT Writing Subject: 5 – 6
  • ACT Writing Sub-score: 5 – 6
  • ACT English: 16 – 21
  • SAT Writing/Language: 19 – 24
  • High School GPA: 2.00 - 2.49
  • EdReady WP Score: 56 - 70                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

WRIT 001 / WRIT 101W – Co-Req Support for WRIT 101W

  • Offered only through Gallatin College MSU
  • (F, Sp) The College Writing Co-req course (WRIT 001) supports college writing students on all core literacy skills needed to be successful college level reading and composition students. Students must complete WRIT 101 with at least a C- to pass this course. The course introduces students to critical reading practices on assigned College Writing non-fiction texts, fosters students’ critical thinking based on textual analysis, and engages students in composition processes: pre-writing, drafting, revision, and editing. Composing in-class paragraphs gives students practice with the writing process and engages students with the WRIT 101W course material.
  • Five (5) Credits; Lecture
  • Four (4) days per week (three credits large class; two credits small group)
  • Register for both WRIT 001 and corresponding WRIT 101 section

Level 300

  • ACT English Language: 18+
  • ACT Combined English/Writing: 18+
  • ACT Writing Subject: 7 – 10
  • ACT Writing Sub-score: 7 – 10
  • ACT English: 22 – 27
  • SAT Writing/Language: 25 – 37
  • High School GPA: 2.50 - 3.89
  • EdReady WP Score: 71 or higher

 

WRIT 101W – College Writing I

  • Studies the nature and practice of reading and writing as human interaction, with particular attention to elements of writing process and craft, to present new conceptions of writing as students enter the university writing environment.
  • Three (3) Credits; Recitation

Level 400

  • ACT Writing Subject: 11+
  • ACT Writing Sub-score: 11+
  • ACT English: 28+
  • SAT Reading/Writing: 750+
  • SAT Writing/Language: 38+
  • SAT Essay Total: 22+
  • SAT Essay Writing: 7+
  • AP English Lang/Comp: 4
  • IB English A: Lang & Lit HL: 3
  • HS GPA 3.9 or higher
 Exempt from Writing (W) Core Requirement