Placement Tests

This summer, there are two different tracks for placement tests. The online option is for incoming students who are first-time admits this fall. The traditional paper-and-pencil (P&P) tests are for ongoing students taking math or foreign language placement tests.

For ongoing students, the following applies:

1. Until further notice, online testing is only available to incoming students.
2. A USC ID is required to take P&P tests.
3. Test dates, times, locations and descriptions can be found at http://sait.usc.edu/testing_bureau/placement_dates.asp.
4. A 60-minute math test and eight, 90-minute foreign language tests will be administered P&P on those dates.
5. The repetition policy for P&P tests has not changed. Students must wait one semester before retaking math tests and six months before retaking foreign language tests.
6. Hard copies of the results are issued through the Testing Bureau (not over the phone), or on students’ OASIS records. Both results are still accessible to advisers. Language and science departments will still be notified by fax.

Incoming 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:

1. 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 Testing Bureau’s scheduled test dates.
2. Students may take any number of the four foreign language online tests, but no test in the same language may be repeated online.
3. 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.
4. 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 Testing Bureau’s scheduled dates.
5. Students will be able to access their online test scores at the Orientation Web site.
6. The placement results from both the online tests and the P&P tests will still be downloaded to OASIS and are accessible to advisers.
7. Students with disabilities must contact the Disability Services and Programs at ability@usc.edu to make arrangements for testing prior to the scheduled test dates.