Placement Tests

Chemistry 111/112 (General Chemistry I) and 113/114 (General Chemistry II) are required of the following majors: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science

If you are majoring in any other major and taking Chemistry 111 and 112 to fulfill your Lab Science requirement or for a pre-health professional requirement (e.g., premed, predental, pre-physical therapy, etc.) then you must also take the Chemistry Diagnostic Test.

Once you have taken the diagnostic test, the results will appear within 24 hours along with how you need to proceed to enroll in Chemistry 111 and 112 (for enrollment details see: https://myusf.usfca.edu/arts-sciences/chemistry/registration-general-chemistry)

The diagnostic test is to be completed online and is timed. Find a quiet place to work for 45 minutes. You will need a scientific calculator, scratch paper, and a pen or pencil. You will also need to refer to this periodic table. To most accurately assess your readiness for success in General Chemistry do not use a chemistry textbook or online sources when taking the diagnostic test (also if you use these resources you will likely run out of time).

Notes: A score of 4 or 5 on the AP Chemistry exam normally gives you credit for CHEM 111 and possibly CHEM 113 (you may want to take the test anyway to see where you stand. Please speak with a chemistry advisor). Even if you completed a college pre-general chemistry course at USF or another institution you must take the diagnostic test to gauge your readiness.

Take the Chemistry Diagnostic Test

The General Chemistry Preparation course is available to all students and is designed to help prepare you for CHEM 111 General Chemistry I. This course is online and is free.

For access to the course, please complete this form or email Amrita Bhattacharyya (abhattacharyya@usfca.edu)  with your name and USF ID#.

Required of the following majors: Computer Science. All other majors do not need to take the Computer Science Placement Test.

This test is used to place you into the appropriate Computer Science course at USF. Previous college-level coursework will also be used when determining the appropriate course. This is a 60-minute test that will evaluate your knowledge of conditionals, iteration, arrays, functions, object-oriented programming, and other computing fundamentals with multiple-choice questions. No external resources permitted. You may only take this test once, all subsequent scores will not be accepted.

Take the online Computer science Placement Test

Within the Core Curriculum, there is one area we need to review in more detail: CORE A2 Rhetoric and Composition

To complete the Core A2 Rhetoric and Composition requirement, we need to determine which rhetoric and composition course or courses you will be taking.  You will need to complete the Directed Self Placement (DSP) which is a self-assessment and takes between 1–2 hours to complete. First, make sure you have created a myUSF account. Then:

• Log in to myUSF
• On your main dashboard, click the square button that says "Canvas" OR the "Canvas Link" as shown below.

OR

• Click on "Dashboard" in Canvas, and you should see the Directed Self Placement. If you do not see the DSP, please email rhetoricandlanguage@usfca.edu with your 8 digit student ID number.

• Follow the directions within the Directed Self Placement

When you complete the DSP, you'll be instructed to choose which Rhetoric course to register for. 

If you choose RHET 120, you may enroll in this course directly. Completion of RHET 120 fulfills your Core A2 requirement. Please note that RHET 120 is an advanced course designed for students with some prior experience and capability in college-level writing, reading, and research.

If you choose RHET 110, you must also complete RHET 120 (or other selected equivalent course options carrying A2 credit). RHET 120 (or an equivalent course) fulfills your Core A2 requirement.  

If you choose RHET 106, you must also complete RHET 110 and RHET 120 (or other selected equivalent course options carrying A2 credit).  RHET 120 (or an equivalent course) fulfills your Core A2 requirement. 

Transfer students: Many transfer students will take core A2 classes such as RHET 250, or a specialized writing course designed for certain majors or focused on particular fields. Some transfer students choose to start with RHET 110 and then take RHET 120 (or an equivalent course).  Your writing requirement is fulfilled upon successful completion of any Core A2 class.

Foreign language test scores are used to place you into USF language courses. You only need to take this test if you plan on studying a foreign language at USF that you have previously studied.

A foreign language is a graduation requirement for all Arts and Sciences majors and the International Business major.

Note: if you are a native speaker of a foreign language, or have extensive experience with a language other than English language, you may apply for a waiver by completing the Waiver Request Form once you complete a foreign language placement exam in a language we teach (Chinese, Filipino, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish).  Please contact the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at llc@usfca.edu to request the Waiver Request Form or to inquire about getting tested in a language that we do not teach.

You do not have to take a language placement test if you are beginning a new foreign language.

Online Tests

The following are available to take online:

• Chinese
• Filipino
• French
• German
• Italian
• Japanese
• Spanish
• Spanish Heritage

For Chinese, Filipino and Japanese: Take the Online Foreign Language Placement Test  

For French, German, Italian, Spanish, Spanish Heritage: Take the Online Foreign Language Placement Test

Please make sure to Log In with your organization credential (usfca).

Please take these tests prior to registering for your classes. Plan ahead! The results from the French, German, Italian, Spanish, Spanish Heritage placement tests take 2 weeks to record on your account.

On-Campus Tests

The following must be taken on-campus. The format of these tests vary.

Students who have studied American Sign Language before attending USF must schedule individual interviews with faculty in these languages, prior to registration for accurate placement. Contact the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at llc@usfca.edu or (415) 422-2802 to make arrangements.

This test is used to place you into the appropriate math class at USF. It is required for the following courses, unless one of the exceptions below applies to you.

MATH 102: Biostatistics

MATH 105: Mathematics for Educators

MATH 107: Calculus for the Liberal Arts

MATH 108: Precalculus

MATH 109: Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

The Math Diagnostic Test is NOT required for MATH 101 Elementary Statistics, MATH 104 Algebra for Business and Science, or MATH 106 Business Statistics.

Please read the Math Diagnostic Test Information page (see below) before you take the test!

SAT/ACT Exception: If you have submitted to USF an SAT Math score of at least 500 or an ACT Math score of at least 19, then you may register for MATH 102, 105, 107, or 108 without taking the Math Diagnostic Test. You must still take the Math Diagnostic Test for placement into MATH 109.

AP/IB Exception: You do not need to take the Math Diagnostic Test if you have an AP or IB score that qualifies on this page for MATH 109 credit. In addition, if you have an AP Precalculus score of at least 4, you do not need to take the Math Diagnostic Test. Students with AP Precalculus credit should email mathematics@usfca.edu to register for MATH 109 (or any other course in the list above).

College Credit Exception: If you received a grade of C- or higher in a College Algebra course at an accredited college or university, then you may register for MATH 102, 105, 107, or 108 without taking the Math Diagnostic Test. If you received a grade of C- or higher in a Precalculus or Calculus course at an accredited college or university, then you may register for any course in the list above without taking the Math Diagnostic Test.

DO NOT CLICK THE LINK BELOW until you have read the Math Diagnostic Test Information page. Under most circumstances, you will have only one chance to take this test. So, make sure you are fully prepared before you begin.

TAKE THE ONLINE MATH DIAGNOSTIC TEST >>

Math Diagnostic Test Information

The Math Diagnostic Test is an online test with up to 30 open-response questions. The time limit is 3 hours; most students finish within 60-90 minutes. No calculators or other devices are allowed.

The test is given using a system called ALEKS. ALEKS is a web-based program that determines your mathematical strengths and weaknesses by asking a tailored series of questions. The system is adaptive: it decides which question to ask next based on your previous answers.

The goal of this test is to place you into the math class that is right for you. So, be honest! If you were to end up in a class that you’re not prepared for, it could be a difficult and disheartening experience. We want you to thrive at USF. With math, success comes from a strong foundation. That means you should take the test seriously and give it your best effort. Think of it as an opportunity to show what you know and what you can do.

Finally, relax! This is not the kind of test that you could pass or fail. Whatever your score is, you’ll be placed into an appropriate class, and you will have a clear path to reach your goals.

What topics are covered on the Math Diagnostic Test?

The test covers topics from algebra and precalculus, including: linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, polynomials, exponents and roots, graphing, rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, basic geometry, and trigonometry.

Algebra is the most important focus of the test. That’s because a strong algebra foundation is indispensable for success in more advanced math classes.

How should I prepare for the test?

You don’t need to study for the Math Diagnostic Test. It is intended to provide a snapshot of what you can do right now. If you like, you can find an online source of practice problems to brush up on your algebra skills. This might be especially useful if you haven’t practiced algebra since a long time ago.

When you feel ready, make sure you have a 3-hour time window that will be free of distractions. Sit in a quiet place with your computer, a pen or pencil, and scratch paper. Then, click TAKE THE ONLINE MATH DIAGNOSTIC TEST >>

Will I need to download any software to take the test?

The test is given using the Respondus Lockdown Browser. You will be directed to download and install the Respondus Lockdown Browser software before the test begins.

Can I practice getting used to the ALEKS system before starting the test?

Before the test, there is a brief tutorial that shows you how to input different types of answers. You can always return to the tutorial at any point during the test by clicking on the Help button. This will not affect your score.

What if I need a calculator?

The ALEKS interface has a built-in calculator for you to use. Do not use your own calculator.

What if I don’t know the answer to a question?

Since the questions are open-response, you can always answer “I don’t know.” The system will take this into account when deciding which question to ask you next and when calculating your score at the end.

Can I go back and change my answer to a previous question?

No. Once you answer a question, it is done. Onward!

Will the system tell me whether I got a question right or wrong?

Also no. After the test is over, you will get an overall score and a detailed inventory of which skill areas you have mastered and which you still need to work on. But, the system will not tell you about the specific questions you saw during the test.

What score do I need in order to be eligible for the course I want to take?

ALEKS will give you a score from 0 to 100. The minimum scores for different courses are listed on the After the Math Diagnostic Test page (see below). Since the test is adaptive, your numerical score is not computed using a simple formula based on how many questions you answered correctly. Rather, ALEKS uses the questions to assess your mastery levels across a comprehensive list of topics, and then it determines your score based on its best estimate of those levels.

Can I take the test again if I’m not satisfied with my score?

Usually not. There is a limited exception: if you score just below the cutoff for MATH 109, then you have the option to retake the test after completing at least 5 hours of work in the ALEKS learning system. But, most students will only have one chance to take the test. In particular, there are no retakes if your goal is to place into MATH 102, 105, 107, or 108.

What are the next steps after finishing the test?

See the After the Math Diagnostic Test page (see below).

After the Math Diagnostic Test

After taking the Math Diagnostic Test, you should receive a score. By looking up your score in the table below, you can see which math courses you are eligible to take.

The Math Diagnostic Test is for placement into MATH 102, 105, 107, 108, and 109. Registration for MATH 101, 104, and 106 is open to everyone.

I wanted to place into MATH 109, but my score is too low. What should I do?

If you scored in the 68-75 range, you have the opportunity to take the test again after spending at least 5 hours working in the ALEKS Prep and Learning Modules. Based on your answers to the diagnostic test, ALEKS has generated a detailed map of specific areas in which you could improve your skills. With focused practice, you may be able to prepare yourself for MATH 109. We encourage you to work through practice problems in ALEKS for as long as it takes until you think you are ready. The minimum is 5 hours, but you may find that you need 15 hours or even more. Email mathematics@usfca.edu when you are ready for your second test. Afterwards, if your second score is 76 or above, you may register for MATH 109. If your second score is still below 76, then you need to take MATH 108 (Precalculus) to strengthen your skills.

If you scored below 68 (or 61), then you should start in MATH 108 (or MATH 104) to build your foundational skills.

Another option to place into MATH 109 is to take a summer Precalculus course offered by an accredited college or university. If you take and pass such a course with a grade of C- or above, send your official transcript to mathematics@usfca.edu. We will admit you to MATH 109 on a space-available basis.

I wanted to place into MATH 102, 105, 107, or 108, but my score is too low. What should I do?

Our recommendation is to start in MATH 104 (Algebra for Business & Science). A passing grade in MATH 104 will permit you to take any of those courses.

Alternatively, you can take a summer College Algebra course offered by an accredited college or university. Your local community college may offer College Algebra over the summer, or you can take an online class. If you take and pass such a course with a grade of C- or above, send your official transcript to mathematics@usfca.edu. We will admit you to your desired course (among MATH 102, 105, 107, 108) on a space-available basis.