WHAT ARE THE PLACEMENT TESTS?
The University of South Carolina gives two placement
tests: mathematics and foreign language (French, German,
Latin, and Spanish). Each test is about an hour long. 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?
The need for placement testing 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?
Placement
tests are given the day immediately before each Summer
Orientation session (including Sundays and holidays).
Placement tests for August and January Orientation sessions
will occur just prior to your scheduled orientation. Please
check your confirmation when you register for Orientation
for the exact date and time for placement testing.
You do not need separate registration for placement testing.
WHERE DO I GO? WHAT DO I BRING?
April and Summer Administrations : Placement tests will
begin at 3:00 p.m. at the Moore School of Business (corner
of Barnwell and Pendleton). Report no later than 2:45 p.m.
and make sure to bring a drivers license or other photo ID
and sharpened number two pencils. You should also know your
social security number so you can put it on your answer
sheet(s).
August and January Administrations : Placement tests will
begin at 11:00 a.m. at the Moore School of Business (corner
of Barnwell and Pendleton). Report no later than 10:45 a.m.
and make sure to bring a drivers license or other photo ID
and sharpened number two pencils. You should also know your
social security number so you can put it on your answer
sheet(s).
WHEN WILL I GET MY SCORES?
You will receive 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. Additionally, your scores will appear
under the “Academic” menu on VIP.
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 Language department, 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 portion of the placement test because you already
know where you will start. 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 or French. For example, you may elect to study
Portuguese, German, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, or even
Swahili! 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 SCORES?
If you do not have your AP 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 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. |
