Orientation & Testing

Mathematics Placement Testing: 75 minutes

The Math Skills Assessment is an important placement tool.  Because most undergraduate programs at Ohio State require some work in mathematics, all entering students are required to take the Mathematics Skills Assessment unless they are receiving transfer credit for a specific Ohio State math course or received a score of 3, 4 or 5 on the AB or BC Advance Placement (AP) Calculus exam while in high school.  No course credit will be given, nor will any math requirements for your chosen major be fulfilled from the Math Skills Assessment.

Freshmen
There are two versions of the Mathematics Skills Assessment: Test B and Test D.  If you have an ACT math score of 24 or lower OR an SAT math score of 560 or lower, you will take Test B.  If you have an ACT math score of 25 or higher OR an SAT math score of 570 or higher, you will take Test D.  If you did not take either test or did not request that your ACT/ SAT scores be sent to Ohio State at the time of testing, you will take Math B.

Transfer Students
The requirement to test is determined by whether or not you have transfer credit for a specific math course.  If you do not have math transfer credit, you will take Test B.

The assessment can be taken at the on-campus testing session (Step #4) or online, following the online instructions below:

The computer will automatically select the correct test.  If you do not have Internet access, you may be able to take the assessment at a high school or public library in your vicinity.  Please provide yourself with an environment that will give you uninterrupted time and an atmosphere conducive for working math problems.  Before taking the assessment, you will be asked to specify the math courses you completed in high school and the semester grade you received for each.  Please have your high school math courses and grades available before taking the assessment, so that you are able to provide accurate information.  Since your score on the math assessment determines your beginning placement level in math and science courses, you are encouraged to review the appropriate topics prior to taking the test.  Sample problems, exam topics, and additional information can be found at the Department of Mathmatics website.

Online Math Skills Assessment Instructions:

Establish a web connection to https://buckeyelink3.osu.edu/secure/math

• Netscape version 4.06 or higher or Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher is required.
  
  
• You may use either an IBM-compatible PC or Mac.
  
  
• Many students experience difficulty using AOL and some free services.  We recommend that you switch to a different browser and do not use the AOL browser for the assessment.

Log-in using your OSU Internet Username (lastname.#) and password.  Thoroughly read the Mathematics Skills Assessment instructions, specifically noting the following:

1. You may use scratch paper, pencil, and a scientific or graphing calculator (you should not use a calculator with a computer symbolic algebra or QWERTY keyboard, such as the TI89 or 92).
   
   
2. The test is timed for 75 minutes and the time remaining will be updated after you answer each question.  Please note that the time continues to run even if you log off your computer or if you have computer problems.
   
   
3. The test is entirely multiple-choice with only one correct answer.  Partial credit is not given.
   
   
4. If you experience computer or web browser problems during the test, return to the site https://buckeyelink3.osu.edu/secure/math.  If your testing time has not expired, you should be able to continue where you left off.  If the test reverts to question 1, scroll forward to where you left off, because your answers have been saved.  If this does not work, please call the Office of Testing at 614-292-2241 (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., M-F) or e-mail testing@exchange.ureg.ohio-state.edu.  Do this immediately, as it is more difficult to correct problems later.

After completing the assessment and pressing “Grade Test Button,” you will be given a math course code that indicates your placement level and a link for more information about math placement.  Scoring high enough on Test B will allow you to take Test D (pre-calculus).  Also, in some cases, the assessment will not be able to give you a math placement level.  If this happens, you will be given a placement level “U” (undetermined) instead of a math course code. 

If you qualify for Test D or if your placement level is “U” (undetermined), you MUST phone 419-755-4203 to register to take the math skills assessment at the on-campus testing session (Step #4).

English Placement Testing: 90 minutes

Freshmen
Some course credit in English composition is required in all undergraduate programs at Ohio State.  Your ACT or SAT scores initially determine when you will take the English placement test.  Scores must be sent directly to OSU from the testing company. 

You are required to take the English Test if any of the following apply:

• You have not taken the ACT or SAT.
• Your ACT English score (EN) is 18 or below.
• Your SAT verbal score (VB) is 450 or below.
• Your ACT or SAT score is more than 3 years old.
• You have not had four units of high school English.
• You graduated from high school with a GED.

Transfer Students
Course credit in English composition is required of all undergraduate programs at Ohio State.  Refer to your Transfer Credit Report (represents OSU’s evaluation of your transfer courses) and the following additional information to determine whether you are required to take the English placement test.  The requirement to test is determined by whether or not you have transfer credit in English Composition, how much credit you have, and ACT or SAT scores if the test was taken and recorded less than three years ago. 

You are required to take the English Test if any of the following apply:

• You have less than four quarter-hours of transfer credit in English composition (excluding remedial courses) and do not have ACT or SAT scores less than three years old.
• You have less than four quarter-hours of transfer credit in English composition and a recent (less than three years) ACT English score (EN) of 18 or lower or an SAT verbal score (VB) of 450 or lower.

You do not have to take the English Test if any of the following apply:

• You have or expect to receive transfer credit of four or more quarter hours in English composition (excluding remedial courses)
• You do not have four or more credit hours of transfer credit in English Composition but have a recent (less than three years old) ACT English score (EN) of 19 or higher or an SAT verbal score (VB) of 460 or higher.

Foreign Language Placement Testing

You are REQUIRED to take a foreign language test if you studied a foreign language for at least two years in high school.  You must test in the foreign language used to satisfy Ohio State’s language admissions requirement.  Foreign Language Testing is used to determine at which course level you will start if you plan to study the same foreign language you studied in high school.  Please note:

• If you intend to study a different language at Ohio State, or if your academic program does not require foreign language course work, you are still REQUIRED to test in the language you used to satisfy the admission requirement.
• If you are testing in Spanish, French, or German, you will take a computer-based placement test.
•  If you are planning to test in a language other than those mentioned, you must make arrangements for testing with your academic advisor.

You are NOT REQUIRED to take a language test if one of the following applies to you:

• You have college credit for a foreign language.
• You have graduated from high school more than five years ago.
• You have never formally studied a language or had less than two years of the same language in high school.