Placement Assessment 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.

ARE TRANSFER STUDENTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS?

If you have completed equivalent college coursework within the last 24 months you may be exempt. To determine if the completed Chemistry, English (Writing), Foreign Language, and/or Mathematics course will transfer as a direct equivalent course, please review course equivalencies on the Kent State Transfer Credit Guide .

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

If you have not received scores within 2 weeks of your campus visit or meeting with your academic advisor you must complete the placement assessments. For more information about the awarding of credit for AP scores, please contact the Credit Transfer office at 330-672-8950.

WHAT IF I DID NOT TAKE THE ACT OR SAT OR DID NOT TAKE IT WITHIN THE LAST 2 YEARS?

If you do not have a high school GPA or ALEKS/ACT/SAT scores and you did not take these tests within 2 years to the date of the first day of classes of the applicable starting term, you will need to complete the the ALEKS math placement and a Reading Comprehension assessment on a Kent State campus.

I TOOK THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT AS A COLLEGE CREDIT PLUS STUDENT (OR AT ANOTHER UNIVERSITY). CAN I BE EXEMPT FROM TAKING THE ASSESSMENTS?

Placement assessments from other colleges or universities are not accepted. Accuplacer Writeplacer and/or Reading Comprehension scores will be accepted from another institution if the score is from within 2 years to the date of the first day of classes of the applicable starting term. If you completed a placement assessment and/or completed a course in that subject area on any Kent State campus within the last year you 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 you and your advisor to select appropriate courses for your first semester. Students with prior college-level knowledge can decide to test to earn college credit through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Credit by Exam (CBE), or Retroactive Credit.

CAN MY CLEP EXAM SCORE REPLACE MY PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENT?

CLEP exams can be taken for a number of subjects and used to meet college course requirements. After completing a placement assessment, you may receive a recommendation to consider taking a CLEP exam if your score falls into a specific range. Students can contact Placement and Testing at 330-672-9209  or testingservices@kent.edu for more information about CLEP exams and credit eligibility. Students should always consult with their academic advisor or college advising office to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements to earn credit through CLEP.

The ALEKS placement assessment can be taken online at a time and location of your choice through Flashline. You are expected to take the ALEKS placement assessment without assistance. If you complete the assessment with assistance, there is a strong chance you will perform poorly in your mathematics course and have to pay tuition and fees to re-take it. 
See the Benefits of the Aleks Assessment

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

CAN I USE A PERSONAL CALCULATOR FOR THE MATHEMATICS ASSESSMENT?

You 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 ALEKS MATH ASSESSMENT OR IF I AM HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES?

Please contact Placement and Testing at 330-672-9209 or testingservices@kent.edu. Please be sure to leave a detailed voice message with your name and Kent State student ID number (811xxxxxx).

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

You will be required to take a foreign language placement assessment. To access the assessment, please log in to FlashLine, select Student/Resources/Placement Assessments/Foreign Language and then select Take the Foreign Language Placement Assessment

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

Complete the foreign language online placement assessment for the language you would like to take. Your academic advisor or college/campus advising office can assist you with understanding your course placement.

KENT STATE OFFERS SPANISH, FRENCH, GERMAN, ITALIAN, CHINESE, AND RUSSIAN 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 other languages can be found on the Department of Modern and Classical Languages Studies website.

For more information about Foreign Language courses, please visit the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies website.

You will be placed according to your ACT, SAT, high school GPA or WritePlacer scores. If you do not believe these scores accurately reflect your writing ability, you may choose to complete the Writing Placement Reassessment.

For more information about Kent State English courses, please visit the Department of English website.

Please contact Placement and Testing at 330-672-9209 or testingservices@kent.edu for general placement assessment questions or for technical support.

Technical assistance with online placement assessments is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by contacting the Helpdesk at 330-672-HELP (4357) or through this website: KSU Technical Support