Placement Tests
Many placement tests can be taken online prior to coming to campus. Please take them before you register for classes.
To learn how to navigate the Banner Self-Service interface to access registration, your degree evaluation, placement test scores, holds, class schedule, and more, please review the Banner Self-Service Student Guide.
Please read the following carefully to determine which exams you need to take.
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.
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. Do not take this test if you are a native or near-native speaker. Instead, please email the language department to register for the waiver test administered once a semester.
A foreign language is a graduation requirement for all Arts and Sciences majors and the International Business major.
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.
Please note: Since USF is phasing out ASL instruction, first semester ASL will no longer be offered. Students who have previously studied American Sign Language should schedule an interview with the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures to determine if they can complete their language requirement by Spring 2026. Please email llc@usfca.edu or call (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 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 or Precalculus course at an accredited college or university, 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.
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 >>
What are the next steps after finishing the test?
See the After the Math Diagnostic Test page.
Note: If you are a student with a disability who will need accommodations for the placement tests, please apply to Student Disability Services and email sds@usfca.edu one week before the scheduled test date.
More Questions? For foreign language placement test questions, please call Languages, Literatures and Cultures at (415) 422-2802 or email llc@usfca.edu. For computer science test questions, email Tonya Miller at miller@usfca.edu. For math test questions, email mathematics@usfca.edu. For Directed Self-Placement, call (415) 422-6243 or email rhetoricandlanguage@usfca.edu.