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Ask A Question about Placement Assessments

 


WHAT SUBJECT AREAS REQUIRE PLACEMENT?

 

Kent State University currently requires students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in English (Writing), Mathematics, Foreign Language, Chemistry Reading and Study Strategies. Students can demonstrate their knowledge and skills through scores on ACT, SAT, and/or placement assessments. The chart below outlines the specific placement method required for each subject area. Students without ACT or SAT scores will be asked to complete an alternative assessment. Subject Area
Placement Method
English (Writing)
* ACT English or SAT Writing scores
Foreign Language
 		Placement Assessment through WebCape
Mathematics Placement Assessment through ALEKS Math
Reading and Study Strategies
ACT reading or SAT Critical Reading scores
Chemistry Placement Assessment through ALEKS Chemistry

* Students who believe ACT or SAT scores do not accurately reflect their writing ability can submit an essay. The highest ACT or SAT score will be used for placement.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT?

Placement assessments are designed to help academic advisors and students determine which courses will provide the best opportunity for success. Placement assessment scores will not be used to determine admission to Kent State University or any academic program.

 

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE OF MY CAMPUS VISIT DO I NEED TO COMPLETE THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS?

Students will need to complete the placement assessments BEFORE ARRIVING ON CAMPUS TO ATTEND Destination Kent State.

 

WHAT IF I DO NOT TAKE THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS PRIOR TO DESTINATION KENT STATE OR THE MEETING WITH MY ADVISOR?

Online placement assessments will not be offered during Destination Kent State or during your meeting with an academic advisor. Failure to complete online placement assessments prior to your campus visit will result in a delay in registering for those courses that require the completion of online assessments. Students without ACT or SAT scores will have an opportunity to take COMPASS on campus prior to their meeting with an academic advisor.

 

WHO DO I CALL IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS?

General questions about placement assessments should be directed to the department. Contact information for each department can be found below.

Technical assistance with any online placement assessments is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by contacting the Helpdesk  at http://support.kent.edu or 330-672-HELP (4357).

Subject

English
Foreign Language
Mathematics
Chemistry

CAN I FAIL THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS?

No. Placement assessments are not reported as a pass or fail grade, rather the assessments are used as a demonstration of a student's current knowledge and skill for specific subject areas such as English (Writing), Mathematics, Foreign Language, Chemistry, Reading and Study Strategies.

CAN I STUDY FOR THE ASSESSMENT? ARE THERE ANY STUDY GUIDES FOR THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS?     

Placement assessments evaluate a student's current knowledge and skills so there is no need to study. The Mathematics Placement Assessment through ALEKS does, however, offer a free trial with practice questions at www.aleks.com.

ARE TRANSFER STUDENTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS?

Transfer students who have not completed college coursework and/or receive credit through PSEOP (Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program), Dual Enrollment and/or IB (International Baccalaureate) or received a 3 or higher on an AP (Advanced Placement) exam are only exempt from taking an associated placement assessment if a course was taken within the last 24 months and is considered college-level. To determine if the completed English (Writing), Foreign Language, and/or Mathematics course is college-level, please review course equivalencies on the U.Select website https://www.transfer.org/uselect/login.htm.

WHAT IF I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AP (ADVANCED PLACEMENT) SCORES BEFORE IT IS TIME TO COMPLETE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS?

Students are required to earn a 3, 4, or 5 on the appropriate AP exam to receive college credit. If students have not received scores within 2 weeks of their Destination Kent State visit or meeting with their academic advisor they are required to complete placement assessments. For more information about AP exams and scores, visit the Kent State Honors College website.

CAN I BE EXEMPT FROM PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT IF I HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED COLLEGE COURSES IN ENGLISH (WRITING),

Students who have earned college-level credit within the last 24 months from an accredited college/university for an English (Writing), Foreign Language, and/or Mathematics course through PSEOP (Post-Secondary Enrollment Options program), Dual Enrollment and/or IB (International Baccalaureate) or received a 3 or higher on an AP (Advanced Placement) exam are exempt from taking an associated placement assessment. Students awaiting AP exam scores that are not received within two weeks of their scheduled Destination Kent State visit must complete placement assessments.

Transfer students who did not complete college coursework and/or receive credit through the programs listed above for English (Writing), Foreign Language, Chemistry and/or Mathematics are only exempt from taking an associated placement assessment if the course was taken within the last 24 months and is considered college-level. To determine if the completed course is college-level, please review course equivalencies on the U.Select website(https://www.transfer.org/uselect/login.htm).

WHERE DO I FIND THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS?

Foreign Language, Mathematics, and Chemistry require online placement assessments. All online placement assessments can be found online by logging on FlashLine (flashline.kent.edu). ACT, SAT, and/or COMPASS scores are used for English (Writing), Reading and Study Strategy course placement. Any student who does not believe the ACT, SAT, or COMPASS scores is an accurate reflection of their writing ability can submit a challenge writing sample online through the Department of English.

WHERE CAN I TAKE THE ASSESSMENTS IF I DO NOT HAVE A COMPUTER OR INTERNET ACCESS AT HOME?

Placement assessments can be completed from any area that provides public computer and internet access such as a public library. If you are in high school, you might also consider talking to your school guidance counselor to arrange a time to complete assessments at school.  You may also take the placement assessments in the Exploratory Advising Center on the Kent Campus.  Please call 330-672-3676 to schedule an appointment to take your placement assessments with the Exploratory Advising Center.

WHEN WILL I FIND OUT THE RESULTS OF THE ASSESSMENT?

To view assessment results, log-on to FlashLine, and in the Placement section/channel, click on the heading titled "View Placement Assessment Results". Students will be able to see scores within 24 hours of completing assessments. For more detailed information about the results of the Mathematics placement assessments (ALEKS), click on the link titled, "Mathematics Placement Results". Students who choose to submit a challenge writing sample will be notified of the results according to the Department of English challenge schedule.

HOW DOES THE UNIVERSITY USE THE RESULTS?

The results of placement assessments are used to help you and your advisor select the appropriate courses for your first semester as a Kent State student. Placement assessment results are not a part of your permanent record and are not used to evaluate course performance or degree completion.

ARE THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS MULTIPLE CHOICE?

Foreign Language placement assessment is the only online multiple choice assessment. The COMPASS assessment is also multiple choice, however, it is only required of students who do not have ACT or SAT scores.

WHAT IF I DID NOT TAKE THE ACT OR SAT OR DID NOT TAKE IT WITHIN THE LAST 3 YEARS?

Students who do not have ACT or SAT scores or did not take these tests within the last 3 years will need to complete COMPASS on-campus. COMPASS assessments are offered in English (Writing) and Reading.

MAY I RETAKE ONE OR ALL OF THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS IF I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH MY SCORE OR COURSE PLACEMENT?

Placement assessments are offered online  through FlashLine to enable students to select a location, day, and time that would result in an accurate reflection of their knowledge and skill. Reassessment opportunities are available for the Foreign Language and Mathematics placement assessment. The highest score available in Mathematics at the time of registration will be used to select the appropriate course. For Foreign language the most recent score will be used.

Prior to reassessment in Mathematics, students are required to complete a free online Learning Module. The reassessment will take place on a Kent State campus. Foreign Language reassessments are possible as often as the student is interested in repeating the assessment. Students can also take the Foreign Language placement test in another language.  

Subject Retake available
Additional Information
English (Writing)
 No  
Foreign Language
 Yes  
Mathematics Yes Retake available after the completion of Learning Module
Chemistry No

I TOOK THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT AS A POST-SECONDARY STUDENT (OR AT ANOTHER UNIVERSITY/CAMPUS). CAN I BE EXEMPT FROM TAKING THE ASSESSMENTS?

Placement assessments from other colleges or universities are not accepted. Students who completed a placement assessment and/or completed a course in that subject area on any Kent State campus within the last year are exempt from retaking that assessment.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO "TEST OUT" OF TAKING A COLLEGE CLASS BY USING MY PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT SCORES?

Placement assessments are used as a guide for students and advisors in selecting appropriate courses for the first semester. Regardless of course placements, students will need to earn the appropriate number of college credits for graduation. Students with prior college-level knowledge can decide to test to receive college credit through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or Credit by Exam (CBE).

HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT SPECIFIC PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS TO COMPLETE?

All new students will receive communication outlining the specific placement assessments they will need to complete. Communication will be sent prior to advising and course registration at Kent State. Students who have completed college coursework in the subject areas that require placement should review exemption information provided above.

CAN MY CLEP (College Level Examination Program) REPLACE MY PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENT?

CLEP exams can be taken for a number of subjects and used to meet college course requirements. Students who complete the Foreign Language Placement Assessment through WebCape will receive a recommendation to consider taking a CLEP exam if their score falls into a specific range. Students should contact the Career Services Center at 330-672-2360 to find out more information about CLEP and eligibility. Transfer students who have previously completed CLEP exams at another college or university are exempt from taking the associated placement assessment.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I REQUIRE A SPECIAL ACCOMODATION FOR PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS?

Students who have a documented disability and are in need of special accommodations to complete placement assessments should contact Student Accessibility Services at 330-672-3391 for assistance.

IS THERE A COST TO COMPLETING THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS?

Kent State University covers the cost of placement assessment for all new students. The cost to complete a Learning Module and one reassessment in Mathematics and unlimited reassessments in Foreign Language are also covered by the University.

HOW LONG DO THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS TAKE?

Completion time for placement assessments vary depending on the subject, student's knowledge and how many assessments the student must complete. Completion time for each assessment ranges from 30 to 90 minutes. Placement assessments are offered online to enable students to take them when they are well rested and alert. The chart below provides approximate completion times for each assessment and for the online Writing essay challenge.

Subject Approximate Completion Time
Mathematics 60-90 minutes (students may take short breaks during this assessments)
Foreign Language
 30 minutes
*English (Writing) Essay Challenge
 6 days (students are allotted 3 days to read the prompt and related materials and an additional 3 days to write the essay)

*Students are placed using ACT or SAT scores. If student does not believe the ACT or SAT score accurately reflects their writing ability they may choose to submit a challenge to the Department of English.

 

MATHEMATICS PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT (ALEKS)

For more information and sample Mathematics Placement Assessment (ALEKS) questions, visit the Department of Mathematical Sciences website.

CAN I USE A CALCULATOR FOR THE MATHEMATICS ASSESSMENT?

Students are only allowed to use the online calculator provided through the Mathematics Placement Assessment (ALEKS). The calculator will be available on the problems requiring its use.

 

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IF I AM UNABLE TO LOG INTO MY MATH ASSESSMENT?

If you are unable to access your ALEKS Mathematics placement assessment because it has been more than 48 hours since you first logged in to the assessment, please contact the HelpDesk at 330-672-HELP.

 

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IF I AM HAVING TROUBLE DOWNLOADING THE ALEKS PLUG-IN?

Please contact ALEKS support at 714-619-7090.

 

WHAT IS THE MATH EMPORIUM?

For more information about the Math Emporium visit the Department of Mathematical Sciences website.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT (WebCape)

For more information about Kent State Foreign Language courses and placement assessment, visit the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies website.

WHAT IF I TOOK ONE LANGUAGE IN HIGH SCHOOL BUT WANT TO TAKE A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE IN COLLEGE?

Students will be directed through a placement flowchart to determine if it is appropriate in this situation and others for them to complete a placement assessment. The flowchart is available in FlashLine.

 

THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT IS NOT REQUIRED FOR MY MAJOR, BUT I WANT TO TAKE A LANGUAGE COURSE AT KENT STATE.

Complete the online placement assessment for Foreign Language for the language you would like to take.

KENT STATE OFFERS SPANISH, FRENCH, RUSSIAN AND GERMAN AS PART OF THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT OPTIONS. I WANT TO TAKE A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE TO SATISFY MY REQUIREMENT. WHAT SHOULD I DO IN ORDER TO TAKE THE ASSESSMENT FOR THE LANGUAGE I WANT TO STUDY AT KENT STATE?

Placement assessment procedures for courses other than Spanish, French, Russian and German can be found on the Department of Modern and Classical Languages Studies website.

ARE THERE PRACTICE TESTS OR SAMPLE QUESTIONS I CAN REVIEW PRIOR TO THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT?

NO.

READING AND STUDY STRATEGIES PLACEMENT AND COURSE INFORMATION

For more information about Kent State Reading and Study Strategy courses and placement, visit the Academic Success Center website.

ENGLISH (WRITING) PLACEMENT AND COURSE INFORMATION

For more information about Kent State writing courses and placement, visit the Department of English website.

CHEMISTRY PLACEMENT AND COURSE INFORMATION

For more information about Kent State chemistry courses and placement, visit the Department of Chemistry website.

MY DESTINATION KENT STATE APPOINTMENT DATE IS BEFORE JULY 1.  CAN I STILL ATTEND EVEN THOUGH I WILL NOT HAVE COMPLETED MY CHEMISTRY PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT?

Yes!  If your Destination Kent State appointment is before July 1, you do not need to complete your Chemistry assessment before you attend.  Your advisor will talk to you about the Chemistry Assessment.

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