Academic Placement and Testing

English
Reading
Math
Modern and Classical Languages
Placement Testing
Contacts

English-Mandatory placement into an appropriate writing course (Gens 098, ENG 100, ENG 101) is determined by a student's high school rank and Critical Reading and Writing SAT or equivalent ACT scores.

To place into ENG 101, students must meet two of the following three criteria:

• High School rank percentile of 51 percent or above

• SAT critical reading score of 450 or above

• SAT writing score of 450 or above  

Students who do not meet two of these three criteria must write a placement exam prior to registration for their composition course. The placement test results will determine the entry-level writing course that students will be allowed to take; therefore, it is extremely important that one's best effort be given to this exam.

Reading-Reading placement is determined by a student's SAT/ACT score and/or transfer credit. Students who do not have an SAT/ACT score or who have less than 10 hours of transfer credit will need to take the reading placement test. Placement results will determine the entry-level reading course students will need to take (Gens 099 and Gens 151).  

Mathematics-All students who earn four-year degrees from USI are required to complete the mathematics component of the University Core Curriculum. Placement procedures are based on evidence that shows students who enter math courses at the appropriate level are more likely to succeed in completing their mathematics requirement(s) in a timely manner.  

New Students - All students who are not exempt from placement testing (see criteria below) are required to take the mathematics placement test prior to enrolling in a math course at USI. The placement test results will determine the entry-level math course students that students will be allowed to take; therefore, it is extremely important that one's best effort be given to this exam. 

Transfer Students-All students entering USI without transfer credit to satisfy the mathematics component of the University Core Curriculum must take the math placement prior to enrolling in a math course at USI. (Intermediate Algebra does not satisfy the mathematics component of the UCC.) . 

Adult Students - The Department of Mathematics requires all nontraditional students take the placement test prior to enrolling in a math course at USI. Placement tests do not affect admission to the University; they are used only for placement into USI math courses. Starting in the correct course will help you succeed academically, which ultimately will save you time and money. 

Exemptions from Placement Testing - Some students may be exempt from taking the math placement test based on the following: 

• Math SAT score of at least 640 or Math ACT score of at least 29

• Math SAT score of at least 600 or Math ACT score of at least 26 AND High School GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). 

With the assistance of an advisor, students who are exempt from placement testing may select the math course which best meets the requirements of his or her program of study. 

Modern and Classical Languages-Placement tests are strongly recommended for students who studied French, German, Spanish, Japanese, or Latin in high school for the benefit of enrolling in a course ranging from the second to the fifth semester of language study.  Students earn credit for all preceding courses if they achieve a grade of B or better in the course in which they are placed. Students requesting Japanese or Latin placement should contact the Department of Modern and Classical Languages (812/461-5203); French, German, and Spanish placement tests are given by Academic Skills (812/464-1743).

Placement Testing
Any required placement testing must be completed prior to advising and registration process. This may be accomplished by either coming to campus prior to the day of orientation (preferred) or on the day of orientation. 

• If testing prior to the day of orientation, testing is done on a walk-in basis in Education Center 1111 and is available at the following times (CST):
  Monday-Thursday     9 a.m.-3 p.m.
  Friday                      9 a.m.-2 p.m.

• If testing on the day of orientation you will report to the Education Center Lobby on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 7:45 a.m.

• Indicate on your orientation reservation form when you plan to take any required placement tests.

• Allow plenty of time for each placement tests: math (30-60 minutes), writing (45 minutes), reading (30 minutes), and foreign language (30 minutes).

• USI Student ID number and photo identification are required to test. 

• Student with disabilities requesting special accommodations: 
  -Must be registered with the Counseling Center (812/464-1867),
  -Must schedule an appointment with Academic Skills (812/464-1743) at least two weeks prior to the date you wish to take your placement test. Documentation must be received in Academic Skills before the appointment date. 

Contacts
For further details about academic placement and testing, visit www.usi.edu/acadskil/placement.asp or contact one of the following:

Academic Skills                          812/464-1743 or acadskil@usi.edu
English                                       812/465-7128 
Mathematics                               812/465-1689 
Modern and Classical Languages  812/461-5203 
Reading Placement                      812/464-1743

For more information, contact us:

Office of Student Development Programs
University of Southern Indiana
8600 University Blvd.
Evansville, IN 47712
toll free: 1 (800) 350-7830
local: 1 (812) 465-7167
e-mail: orientation@usi.edu