Testing Services

The Testing Center promotes student learning experiences by following established procedures for administering tests in a professional and standardized manner. 

We support students, Kent State University faculty, and test sponsors, both domestic and abroad, by managing tests promptly, fairly, and accurately. Our center has committed to the National College Testing Association’s Professional Standards and Guidelines.

Testing Services provides:

• ALEKS placement testing (may be taken online from home)
• ALEKS reassessment (must be taken at the Testing Center)
• ACCUPLACER Reading and Writing placement testing
• Foreign Language placement testing
• Music Theory placement testing
• CLEP - College Level Examination Program
• Residual ACT Assessment
• Readers and scribes for students with disability accommodations
• Proctoring for missed and make-up exams

ALEKS and ACCUPLACER Placement Testing

Students must be admitted in order to take Kent State University placement tests.

Most new students to Kent State University will be required to take the ALEKS placement test for mathematics. ALEKS is a powerful artificial intelligence-based (AI) assessment software product that zeroes in on the student's mathematical strengths and weaknesses, reports its findings, and then, if necessary, provides a learning module to improve the student's knowledge and skill.

The ALEKS math placement test can be taken online from home through FlashLine. Students who wish to take ALEKS math placement at the Academic Success Center are welcome to do so during walk-in testing hours.

New students who have current ACT scores will be placed in reading and writing courses according to ACT reading and English subscores.

New students who do not have current ACT scores must take ACCUPLACER reading and writing and ALEKS math.

ALEKS and ACCUPLACER test results are used by academic advisors to determine proper course placement.

• Photo ID required for testing. Appointments are not required for testing.
• ALEKS and ACCUPLACER are administered at no charge.
• ALEKS Math placement may take up to 90 minutes to complete.
• ACCUPLACER Reading and Writing averages 90 minutes to complete.
• Arrive at least two hours prior to closing to allow plenty of time to complete placement testing. If you are taking ACCUPLACER and would like to take ALEKS Math on campus, you should allow yourself 3.5 hours. If you need additional time, the ACCUPLACER test can be taken in parts. It is best to complete ALEKS Math in a single sitting.
• For more information on ALEKS Math, log into FlashLine > Student > Resources > Placement Assessments.
• ACCUPLACER practice site: accuplacer.collegeboard.org/students/prepare-for-accuplacer. Students should choose "Next-Generation Reading Sample Questions" to practice reading and "WritePlacer Guide with Sample Essays" to practice for writing.

ALEKS / ACCUPLACER / Gates-MacGinitie Reading 
Testing Hours

Sign-in at least two hours prior to closing. All testing must end at the closing time listed below.

May 20 - July 26
Monday - Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Wednesday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

July 29 - Dec. 6
Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Dec. 9 - 13: NO PLACEMENT TESTING
No ALEKS, Accuplacer or Gate-McGinitie testing available this week for incoming students.

Office Closings

• The Academic Success Center will be closed May 27, July 4, Sept. 2, Nov. 11, Nov. 28 and Nov. 29. The office will close at 5 p.m. on Oct. 10 and Nov. 27. 

Testing Center Guidelines

• All students and test candidates must present a valid photo ID for all tests at the time of test administration.
• Cell phone and smart watch use is NOT permitted in the testing room. These items must be stored. Lockers are provided.
• If test takers wish to wear a hat or jacket (or similar outer garment), staff must inspect it before the test taker enters the testing room.
• Test takers must sit where the proctor indicates.
• NO talking is permitted in the testing lab.
• Test takers should use the restroom before beginning a test. Breaks are discouraged unless this is an approved accommodation.
• Test takers must hand tests to a proctor after completing testing. After testing online, test takers must let a proctor know they have finished.

We reserve the right to conduct random checks within the testing room to ensure that no unauthorized materials are accessed during testing.