UO Placement Testing

Placement Testing at the University of Oregon is required of students registering for courses in Mathematics (see below), Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and Chinese. The placement tests have been designed or reviewed by the respective departments for the purpose of establishing a standard by which to assess all new, incoming students. While the Testing Office is responsible for the administration of the placement exams, questions or concerns with actual course placement should be addressed to the appropriate department. What follows is a brief description of the placement testing that is offered through the Testing Office.

WRITING PLACEMENT

All students are required to complete two (2) terms of Writing in order to receive their degree. This requirement is met by completing WR 121 and either WR 122 or WR 123. Most students will take WR 121 and WR 122. 1st year (Freshman) students are assigned a registration priority for WR 121 based on the first letter of their last name with A-G registering Fall term, H-O registering Winter term, and P-Z registering Spring term. Beginning Fall 2002 the English Dept. has made available special sections of WR 121 for students who believe that they need additional support in developing their writing skills. Please consult with your advisor to determine the appropriate section of WR 121 for your needs. Some students will be exempt from WR 121 based on their SAT-Verbal or ACT-English score. If you have an SAT-Verbal score 710 or higher, or an ACT-English 32 or higher, you are exempt from taking WR 121 and may register for either WR 122 or WR 123.

Some students feel their writing skills to be in advance of what they would learn in WR 121 and/or WR 122. The Composition Dept. makes available at the beginning of Fall, Winter, and Spring terms a waiver exam. Please visit the section on the Writing Waiver exam for more detailed information.

SECOND LANGUAGE PLACEMENT TESTING

French, German, & Spanish The French, German, and Spanish placement tests are un-timed computer adaptive tests that are designed to help a student to determine readiness for 1st or 2nd year language study. Please visit the section on Second Language Testing for more information.These tests on average take 30 min. or less. Japanese Students with previous background in Japanese, as well as those wishing to register above JPN 101, are required to take the Japanese placement test. The test is un-timed and consists of a listening section and reading, grammar, vocabulary and writing section. In addition to the listening and written test, an oral interview with the Japanese program faculty is required. Students will need to contact the Dept. of East Asian Lang. & Lit., 541-346-4041 to set up an appointment for an oral interview. Chinese Students with prior background in Mandarin Chinese, either as native speakers or through prior course work, are required to take a placement exam before enrolling for any Chinese classes. The Chinese placement test is a 3-part 55 min. multiple choice test consisting of a listening, grammar, and reading comprehension section. In addition to the listening and written test, an oral interview with the Chinese program faculty is required. Students will need to contact the Dept. of East Asian Lang. & Lit., 541-346-4034 to set up an appointment for an oral interview.

MATHEMATICS PLACEMENT TESTING

New students receive an initial placement based on their SAT/ACT- Math score.

SAT-Math Score Placement Recommendation 460 or below MATH 070 – Elementary Algebra (ACT-Math: 20 or below)

470 – 540 MATH 095 – Intermediate Algebra (ACT-Math: 21-24)

550 or higher MATH 105 – University Math I or MATH 111 – College Algebra (ACT-Math: 25 or higher)

Students who are satisfied with their placement based on SAT/ACT-Math scores are not required to take a math placement test. If you feel that your SAT/ACT-Math score underestimates your math abilities there is one of 2 versions of the Math Placement Test that you can take to demonstrate readiness for a higher level class. Math placement testing will be available during IntroDUCKtion according to the Placement Testing schedule in your program. Calculators are permitted for the Math Placement Test.

Which Math Placement Test should I take?

Standard Math Placement Test

You take the Standard Math Placement Test if: 1) your SAT-Math score is 540 or below (ACT-Math 24 or below) or, 2) you do not have SAT or ACT scores The Standard Math Placement Test is designed to allow students to place anywhere within the continuum of introductory math classes (100-200 level). Students whose SAT/ACT-Math score has placed them into the developmental classes (MATH 070 or MATH 095) can demonstrate readiness for introductory university level math classes by taking and receiving a qualifying score on the Standard Math Placement Test.

Advanced Math Placement Test

The Advanced Math Placement Test is designed specifically for the student who has an SAT-Math score of 550 or higher (ACT-Math score of 25 or higher) but who believes he/she is prepared to begin taking math at a level higher than MATH 105 or MATH 111. Typically such a student has taken Trigonometry, Elementary Functions, and/or Calculus at the high school level. Exceptions to Math Placement Testing Students with qualifying scores on the AP Calculus exam (AB or BC), or the CLEP Calculus with Elementary Functions exam are not required to take a math placement exam prior to registering for their first University mathematics course. Students who have taken a math course (MATH 095 or higher) at another institution and passed with a C- or higher, are permitted to register for the next appropriate course in their sequence without taking a math placement exam.