WHAT ARE THE PLACEMENT TESTS?
The University of South Carolina gives two placement
tests: mathematics and foreign language. These
tests are not "pass/fail" but are designed to place you in
an appropriately challenging level of math and foreign
language courses. No knowledge of calculus is required for
math tests; calculators are neither needed nor allowed.
DO I HAVE TO TAKE PLACEMENT TESTS?
All students are requested to take the math placement test, regardless of previous credit or AP/IB scores.
The need for placement testing in foreign language is determined by 1) your
college or school of enrollment (e.g. Arts and Sciences,
Nursing, etc.) and 2) the college-level course work you have
already completed (i.e. AP or transfer credit). Refer to
http://orientation.sc.edu/chart.htm for the specific
requirements of your major.
WHEN ARE PLACEMENT TESTS OFFERED? DO I HAVE TO SIGN UP AHEAD
OF TIME?
Math placement tests are available year round as they are online. No pre-registration is required; simply logon at https://assess.math.sc.edu using your Network Username and password. Summer administrations of placement
tests in French, German, Latin, and Spanish will occur at 3:30, 4:00, 4:30, and 5:00 PM in Room 401
of the Welsh Humanities Classroom Building. Pre-register for the
appointment time of your choice by sending an email to FLplacement@sc.edu that includes the following information:
Your full name
Your VIP ID
The date and time you are requesting Remember that placement testing should be done BEFORE attending Orientation.
WHERE DO I GO? WHAT DO I BRING?
Math
placement tests are online and may be accessed from the convenience of
your home or anywhere where you will have uninterrupted internet access
for the full 90 minute test session. Summer administrations of the foreign
language tests will occur at 3:30, 4:00, 4:30, and 5:00 PM in Room 401
of the Welsh Humanities Classroom Building. Make sure to arrive early
and bring a drivers license or other photo ID.
WHEN WILL I GET MY SCORES?
Your
scores will be viewable on VIP under the "Academic" menu about 24 hours
after you take the exam. You will also receive a printout of your
placement test scores during your Orientation session. You will then
meet with your advisor to schedule appropriate classes based on your
scores and your program requirements.
WHAT IF I MISS THE PLACEMENT TESTS?
If you do not have placement scores when you come to
Orientation, you will not be able to register for a math or
foreign language class for your first semester. At
Orientation, you will receive information about make-up
dates for placement testing.
WHAT IF I'VE STUDIED MORE THAN ONE LANGUAGE?
If you have studied more than one language in high
school, you may choose the language in which you would like
to test (probably the one in which your skills are
strongest). If you desire to further your studies in either
(or both) languages, you may have to take another test the
week prior to the start of classes to determine at which
level you may begin; this must be set up directly through
the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, not the Orientation and Testing
Office.
WHAT IF IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME (OR NEVER) SINCE I'VE STUDIED
A FOREIGN LANGUAGE?
If it has been 5 years or more since you have studied a
foreign language, or if you have never taken a foreign
language, you will be required to start at the beginning
level. In that case, you do not need to take the foreign
language placement test; instead you will complete a Course Placement Form with your advisor. The University of South Carolina
requires "proficiency" in a foreign language, but we have many options
to choose from other than the most common Spanish, French, German, and
Latin. For example, you may also elect to study Arabic, Chineses, Italian, Japanese,
Portuguese, or Russian. This is something you may want to
discuss with your advisor on your Orientation date to choose the option
that will work best for you.
WHAT IF I AM A NATIVE SPEAKER OF ANOTHER LANGUAGE OR STUDIED
A LANGUAGE NOT TAUGHT HERE?
Since USC does not offer placement tests in languages not
taught at the University, you have the following options to
fulfill your language proficiency requirement:
-
You may elect to take courses in another language in
order to fulfill your proficiency requirements. You may obtain verification of your fluency from a
faculty member on campus who is also fluent in the language
in question. In most cases, you must seek out such a faculty
member on your own; the university does not make this
arrangement for you. This faculty member should write a
letter on letterhead to Dr. William Edmiston, chair of the
Department of Languages, Literature, and Culture, confirming
your ability to read, write, and speak the language. Dr.
Edmiston will then endorse that letter and forward that
endorsement to your college of enrollment. The Department of Languages, Literature, and Cultures has
an agreement with New York University whereby you may take a
proficiency exam through NYU at your own expense ($215).
Contact Dr. Edmiston (803.777.9734) to obtain a registration
brochure.
WHAT IF I HAVE AP or IB SCORES?
If you do not have your AP or IB scores in hand when you come
to take your placement tests, you should go ahead and take
the placement tests or you may be unable to register for
math or foreign language classes your first semester. When
you meet with your advisor during Orientation, you can
discuss the possibility of AP or IB credit and decide upon the
best course of action to take.
If you have previous AP scores, you should bring a copy(ies)
with you to Orientation. You should also make sure that USC
(institution code 5818) is a designated recipient of
official score reports. These will appear on your transcript
sometime during your first semester. |
