Placement Testing General Information

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT?

Placement assessments are designed to help your academic advisor determine which courses will provide the best opportunity for your success. Placement assessment scores will not be used to determine admission to Kent State University or any academic program nor are the results a part of your permanent record.

WHAT SUBJECT AREAS REQUIRE PLACEMENT?

Kent State University currently requires students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in English (Writing), Mathematics, Foreign Language, and Reading (Regional Campus students). Students can demonstrate their knowledge and skills through scores on ACT, SAT, high school GPA and/or specialized placement assessments. The chart below outlines the specific placement method required for each subject. Students without a high school GPA or  ACT/ SAT scores will be asked to complete an alternative assessment.

* The highest ACT or SAT score as well as high school GPA will be used for placement. Students who believe ACT or SAT scores or high school GPA do not accurately reflect their writing ability can complete the Writing Placement Reassessment.

HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT SPECIFIC PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS TO COMPLETE?

Students should log in to FlashLine and view their My Lists tab (top right corner) to view their required placement assessments on the Next Steps checklist.

WHERE DO I FIND THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS?

Students should log in to FlashLine and view their My Lists tab (top right corner) to view their required placement assessments on the Next Steps checklist. Placement assessments can also be found by logging in to FlashLine, and through the left-side navigation menu, selecting Student/Resources/Placement Assessments/Math, then selecting take your ALEKS Math Assessment, or access ALEKS Learning Modules.

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE OF MY CAMPUS VISIT DO I NEED TO COMPLETE THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS? WHAT IF I DO NOT COMPLETE THE ASSESSMENTS PRIOR TO MY CAMPUS VISIT OR MEETING WITH MY ADVISOR?

You will need to complete the placement assessments BEFORE ARRIVING ON CAMPUS for any campus-specific orientation program. 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 these assessments. Students without ACT or SAT scores will have an opportunity to take the Accuplacer WritePlacer and Reading Comprehension assessment on campus prior to their meeting with an academic advisor. Kent Campus students are required to complete their placement assessments no later than 72 hours prior to arrival for Destination Kent State (DKS) or Transfer Kent State (TKS) orientations. Online placement assessments will not be offered during Destination Kent State (DKS), Transfer Kent State (TKS) or during your meeting with an academic advisor.

HOW LONG DO THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS TAKE?

Completion time for placement assessments vary depending on the subject, your knowledge and how many assessments you must complete. Completion time for each assessment typically ranges from 30 to 90 minutes.

IS THERE A COST TO COMPLETE THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT?

Kent State University covers the cost of placement assessments for all students who are required to by their college or course instructor to take them.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS?

The placement assessments evaluate your current knowledge and skills. ALEKS (Mathematics) offers a free trial with practice questions at www.aleks.com. Accuplacer also offers student practice resources through their website at Accuplacer Study Resources.

WHEN WILL I FIND OUT THE RESULTS OF THE ASSESSMENT?

To view your assessment results, log-on to FlashLine, select Student/Resources/Placement Assessments/Math, selecting Take your ALEKS Math Assessment, or access ALEKS Learning Modules, and then choose View Placement Assessment Results. You will be able to see most scores within 24 hours of completing assessments. For more detailed information about the results of the ALEKS Mathematics assessment, select View Mathematics Placement Results (ALEKS). If you choose to take the Writing Placement Reassessment, follow the steps in the Department of English, Writing Program website.

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

Reassessment opportunities are available for ALEKS math assessments and English (Writing).

Prior to reassessment in Mathematics, you are REQUIRED to access the free online Prep for Learning modules. Students who spend at least 18 hours or achieve an 80% mastery of topics are at a higher likelihood of placing higher than those who do not complete the modules. The reassessment may be done at home as well, but this assessment is proctored using Respondus Monitor, which requires a camera and microphone. If you do not have access to this technology, please contact testingservices@kent.edu for alternative options. To learn more about the second assessment please visit the mathematics department website Mathematics Placement | Kent State University

If you have a documented disability and are in need of special accommodations to complete placement assessments, please contact Student Accessibility Services at 330-672-3391 for assistance.WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I REQUIRE A SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION TO COMPLETE MY PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT?

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

You may complete your initial placement assessments from any computer with 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. For information about scheduled testing opportunities on the Kent Campus, please contact Placement and Testing at 330-672-9209 or testingservices@kent.edu. Regional Campus students should contact their campus advising office for more information about testing and assessment opportunities.