AU 2013 Orientation & Placement Testing
Welcome New Buckeyes!
Ohio State Mansfield's Orientation will be your first real taste of life as a Buckeye. Orientation will help you begin to feel at home on the Mansfield campus and help you become familiar with the wide range of academic opportunities available at OSU Mansfield.
OSU USERNAME ACTIVATION
It is very important that you activate your OSU username. All students receive an Ohio State Username for accessing Ohio State services, such as Buckeye Link, Buckeye Mail, Carmen, OSU Wireless, and university computers.
Manage your Ohio State Username (lastname.# format) and password at my.osu.edu. You will need to change your password every 90 days.
Buckeye Mail is the official e-mail service for Ohio State student. Check your e-mail by logging in to Buckeye Mail. Your OSU email address is your Windows Live ID login. Your Ohio State Username forms your official e-mail address (lastname.#). Your Ohio State e-mail will be used by the University for all official correspondence about grades, course schedule, financial aid, housing, and more! Check your e-mail at least once a week prior to starting classes (daily during the semester).
Questions regarding username activation or e-mail should be directed to the IT Service Desk at 614-688-4357
IMPORTANT: When activating your OSU e-mail account, we recommend that you DO NOT forward your OSU e-mail to another account (AOL, yahoo, gmail, hotmail, etc.)
PLACEMENT TESTING
DATES (all Thursdays): June 6, June 20, June 27, July 11, July 25, August 1, August 8
Placement tests in English, Mathematics, and Foreign Language help to determine the appropriate first course for you to take in Ohio State’s course sequence in these academic areas. All are important placement tools. You will not be able to schedule writing or math-related courses without placement test scores. All placement testing MUST be completed prior to your orientation/scheduling program.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
ACT/SAT scores, Advanced Placement (AP) Credit, or any college-level coursework you have completed will determine your placement testing requirements. These must be posted in the OSU system.
ACT/SAT scores printed on high school transcripts, photocopied test results, or unoffficial transcripts are not acceptable. ACT/SAT scores and AP credit must be sent electronically from the Testing Company to The Ohio State University.
Official transcripts from the college and/or univeristy you attended must be mailed directly to: The Ohio State University, Undergraduate Admissions, 1350 Lincoln Tower, 1800 Cannon Dr, Columbus, OH, 43210-1200.
Students with disabilities may request services through the online registration form or contact Michelle McLane, Disability Specialist, by phone at 419-755-4304 (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to make alternate arrangements for taking the Math Skills Assessment, English placement test, and Foreign Language placement test. This includes students with disabilities who may need extended time, as well as students who need a scribe, a reader, an interpreter, or other support services. Documentation must be provided to determine eligibility before authorization can be given for accommodations.
ENGLISH PLACEMENT TESTING
Some course credit in English composition is required in all undergraduate programs at Ohio State. No course credit will be given, nor will any English requirements for your chosen major be fulfilled from the English placement test. You are not required to take the English placement test if you have an AP score of 3 or higher in English Composition or college credit for English 1110 (the first year composition course required for all undergraduate students).
The English placement test can only be taken at the on-campus testing session.
Freshmen
You are required to take the English Test if any of the following apply:
1. You have not taken the ACT or SAT.
2. Your ACT English score (EN) is 18 or below.
3. Your SAT verbal score (VB) is 450 or below.
4. Your ACT or SAT score is more than 3 years old.
5. You do not have four units of high school English.
Transfer Students
Refer to your Transfer Credit Report (represents OSU’s evaluation of your transfer courses) and the following additional information to determine whether you are required to take the English placement test.
You are required to take the English Test if any of the following apply:
1. You have less than four hours of English composition credit or were admitted with an admission condition in English.
2. You have a recent (less than three years old) ACT English score (EN) of 18 or lower or an SAT verbal score (VB) of 450 or lower.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE PLACEMENT TESTING
Foreign Language placement testing is REQUIRED if you studied a foreign language for two or more years in high school unless you have an AP score of 3 or higher or college credit for a foreign language, or graduated from high school more than five years ago. You must test in the foreign language used to satisfy Ohio State’s language admissions requirement. Foreign Language placement testing is used to determine at which course level you will start if you plan to study the same foreign language you studied in high school.
The Foreign Language placement test can only be taken at an on-campus testing session.
Please note:
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- If you intend to study a different language at Ohio State, or if your academic program does not require foreign language course work, you are still REQUIRED to test in the language you used to satisfy the admission requirement.
- If you are testing in Spanish, French, or German, you will take a computer-based placement test. If you are testing in Latin, you will take a paper/pencil test.
- If you are planning to test in a language other than those mentioned, you must make arrangements for testing with the Foreign Language Lab on main campus by calling 614-292-4361.
MATHEMATICS PLACEMENT TESTING
Because most undergraduate programs at Ohio State require some work in mathematics, you are REQUIRED to take the Mathematics Skills Assessment unless you have an AP score of 3 or higher on the AB or BC Advance Placement (AP) Calculus exam or have college credit for a specific Ohio State math course. No course credit will be given, nor will any math requirements for your chosen major be fulfilled from the Math Skills Assessment.
The assessment can be taken at the on-campus testing session OR online, following the "Online Mathematics Skills Assessment Instructions" (see below). Please note that if you register to take the assessment online, THE TEST CAN BE TAKEN AT ANY TIME BUT NO LATER THAN TEN DAYS BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED ORIENTATION.
Before taking the assessment either on line or at an on-campus testing session, you will be asked to specify the math courses you completed in high school and the semester grade you received for each. Please have your high school math courses and grades available before taking the assessment, so that you are able to provide accurate information.
Since your score on the assessment determines your beginning placement level in math and science courses, you are encouraged to review the appropriate topics prior to taking the test. Sample problems, exam topics, and additional information can be found at the OSU Department of Mathematics website.
Freshmen
There are two versions of the Mathematics Skills Assessment: Test B and Test D.
* You will take Test B if you have an ACT math score of 24 or lower OR an SAT math score of 560 or lower.
* You will take Test D if you have an ACT math score of 25 or higher OR an SAT math score of 570 or higher.
If you did not take the ACT or SAT or did not request that your ACT/ SAT scores be sent to Ohio State at the time of testing, you will take Math B.
Transfer Students
The requirement to test is determined by whether or not you have transfer credit for a specific math course. If you do not have math transfer credit, you will take Test B.
Online Mathematics Skills Assessment Instructions
The computer will automatically select the correct test. If you do not have Internet access, you may be able to take the assessment at a high school or public library in your vicinity. Please provide yourself with an environment that will give you uninterrupted time and an atmosphere conducive for working math problems.
After completing the assessment and pressing “Grade Test Button,” you will be given a math course code that indicates your placement level and a link for more information about math placement. Scoring high enough on Test B will allow you to take Test D (pre-calculus). Also, in some cases, the assessment will not be able to give you a math placement level. You will be given a placement level “U” (undetermined) instead of a math course code. If you qualify for Test D or your placement level is “U”, you MUST call 419-755-4203 and register to take the math skills assessment at the on-campus testing session.
Important Note: While you may use a calculator, as noted below, you may not use other resources or assistance from others. If you do, you may be placed in a math or science course that is inappropriate for you. Starting in a course for which you are not prepared could result in you receiving a lower grade and possible failure. Also, your academic standing at the university could be affected, which could, in turn, affect scholarships, financial aid, and admission into your desired academic program.
Getting Started:
- Establish a web connection to the Mathmatics Skills Assessment.
- Netscape version 4.06 or higher or Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher is required.
- You may use either an IBM-compatible PC or Mac.
- Many students experience difficulty using AOL and some free services. We recommend that you switch to a different browser and do not use the AOL browser for the assessment.
- Log-in using your OSU Username (lastname.#) and password. Thoroughly read the Mathematics Skills Assessment instructions, specifically noting the following:
- You may use scratch paper, pencil, and a scientific or graphing calculator (you should not use a calculator with a computer symbolic algebra or QWERTY keyboard, such as the TI89 or 92).
- The test is timed for 75 minutes and the time remaining will be updated after you answer each question. Please note that the time continues to run even if you log off your computer or if you have computer problems.
- The test is entirely multiple-choice with only one correct answer. Partial credit is not given.
- If you experience computer or web browser problems during the test, return to the Mathmatics Skills Assessment site. If your testing time has not expired, you should be able to continue where you left off. If the test reverts to question 1, scroll forward to where you left off, because your answers have been saved. If this does not work, please call the Office of Testing at 614-292-2241 (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday) or e-mail the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Do this immediately, as it is more difficult to correct problems later.
ORIENTATION/SCHEDULING
DATES (all Tuesdays): June 25, July 2, July 16, July 30, August 6, August 13
IMPORTANT NOTE: Your first semester Statement of Account will show a $50 orientation fee, which covers administrative costs.
Ohio State’s orientation program is designed to get new Buckeye’s off to a strong start! Orientation/Scheduling is an all-day (9:00 a.m. 'til 4:00 p.m.). Lunch is included in the program. The program is REQUIRED for freshmen and transfer students with less than 30 semester or 45 quarter hours of college-level courses. Students are expected to participate in all orientation activities. Parents or other adult family members are encouraged to attend with you (limit 2). Transfer students with more than 30 semester or 45 quarter hours of college-level courses schedule classes at an individual scheduling appointment with their assigned academic advisor. Placement testing, if needed, must be completed prior to your appointment.
During orientation you’ll have the following opportunities:
- Receive information about the many campus resources available to Ohio State students.
- Learn what is expected of you as an Ohio State student both in and out of the classroom.
- Attend a group academic planning and advising session.
- Schedule classes for your first semester (PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR USERNAME AND PASSWORD. Both are required to sign on a computer and to schedule your classes.)
- Become more familiar with campus
- Complete university business, such as getting your BuckID card and consulting with Student Financial Aid
- Connect with other students who are starting at Ohio State
Students with disabilities who have questions concerning access or accommodations for a disability at Orientation may request services through the online registration form or contact Michelle McLane, Disability Specialist, by phone at 419-755-4304. A two-week notice prior to your visit will generally allow us to provide seamless access.
REGISTRATION
Freshmen and transfer students with LESS THAN 30 semester or 45 quarter hours of college-level courses MUST REGISTER ONLINE. You can register below upon receipt of your Orientation instructions letter, which is mailed beginning the last week of April to all new students having paid their acceptance fee. Your OSU Username MUST be activated! Placement testing and Orientation program dates will be selected during the online registration. Times and locations will be provided, as well. An online registration confirmation with follow upon submission, followed by an e-mail confirmation to your OSU e-mail address.
Transfer students with MORE THAN 30 semester or 45 quarter hours of college-level courses MUST REGISTER BY PHONE. Please call 419-755-4203.