Placement Tests
There are two options for taking the placement tests:
- The online option is for students who want to test into a foreign language.
- If you wish to test out of the language requirement, then a paper and pencil test is required.
- The traditional paper-and-pencil (P&P) tests are for students taking math, chemistry or foreign language placement tests and want to place into a certain section.
New students entering USC for the first time should be referred to
www.usc.edu/orientation for complete details regarding online placement tests.
Some important information about online tests:
- Students can take the math test and four foreign language tests (French, German, Russian and Spanish) online.
- The four remaining language tests (Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Latin) must be taken P&P on one of the Center for Testing and Assessment’s scheduled test dates.
- Students may take any number of the four foreign language online tests, but no test in the same language may be repeated online.
- Math and foreign language tests may not be repeated online.
- However, all online tests may be repeated during Welcome Week in August on one of the two P&P dates scheduled during that week.
- The online foreign language tests place students in levels one, two and three. Those wanting to place above level three will need to take the P&P test in that language on one of the Center for Testing and Assessment’s scheduled dates.
- Students will be able to access their online test scores at the Orientation website.
- The placement results from both the online tests and the P&P tests will still be downloaded to SIS and are accessible to advisers.
- Students with disabilities must contact Disability Services and Programs at ability@usc.edu to make arrangements for testing prior to the scheduled test dates.
For
continuing students, the following applies:
- Until further notice, online testing is only available to incoming students.
- A USC ID is required to take P&P tests.
- Test dates, times, locations and descriptions can be found here.
- A 60-minute math test and eight, 90-minute foreign language tests will be administered P&P on those dates.
- Students must wait one semester before retaking math tests and six months before retaking foreign language tests.
- Hard copies of the results are issued through the Center for Testing and Assessment, no results over the phone. The results are still accessible to advisers, language and science departments.
Important Information:
- There are no fees for the placement tests.
- Results from the placement tests must be picked up in person at our office in STU 301.
- A picture ID is required. No results are given over the phone.
- Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of the test.
- The test administrations can take up to 2 hours, so plan accordingly.
- If you need testing accommodations, please contact Disability Services and Programs at least one week before the test date.
- For further information about the tests, please contact the Center for Testing and Assessment at (213) 740-7116 or testing@usc.edu.
