University Readiness Standards Download to print

The Ohio Board of Regents established uniform statewide standards and college testing thresholds for remediation-free status for undergraduate students. Students meeting these standards and thresholds are deemed remediation-free and will be eligible to enroll in college-level courses in the respective subjects. These standards and thresholds do not replace Kent State’s placement assessment policies.

* Not applicable at Kent State University.

PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT POLICY

Kent State University uses ACT/SAT and/or placement assessment(s) to determine appropriate course placement in mathematics, English, foreign language, general chemistry and reading and study strategies. Any required placement assessments must be completed before a student registers for classes. This is to ensure student readiness and correct course selection. Students who are required to complete the chemistry ALEKS assessment will do so after registering for CHEM 10060. Any student required to attend a campus-specific orientation program (e.g., Destination Kent State: Advising and Registration), may be required to complete all appropriate assessments prior to the orientation program.

Students who earn college credit before enrolling at Kent State may be exempt from taking some or all placement assessments. Students must submit their college transcript(s) for review and consideration of transfer credits.

Most assessments are accessible online. Students will be provided with information about assessments that are required and how to access the assessment either by e-mail, Next Steps Checklist or some other form of communication.

ACT/SAT scores can be used for placement in mathematics and English for two years from the date of testing until the first day of classes. Placement assessment scores such as provided through ALEKS and WebCape can be used for one year from the date of testing until the first day of classes. Students must reassess after a year to ensure proper placement.

English Placement

All undergraduate degree programs require successful completion of the Kent Core Composition requirement. Placement into the appropriate starting course in the sequence is determined by ACT English or SAT Writing scores. In the event a student does not have ACT/SAT scores, the student will take the COMPASS assessment (on site only). Students enrolled at a Kent State regional campus and who do not meet the university readiness standards will be required to enroll in and earn a minimum C grade in ENG 01001 and a minimum C- grade ENG 11002 before they can enroll in ENG 21011.

Mathematics Placement

All undergraduate degree programs require the successful completion of the Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning requirement. The course that will fulfill this requirement is based upon the student’s major. Placement into the appropriate course(s) is determined by ACT/SAT scores and, in many cases, the ALEKS math placement assessment score. Each student will be instructed through his/her Next Steps Checklist whether the ALEKS math assessment is required. The need for assessment is based upon the student’s program at the start of classes. Upon completion of the initial online ALEKS assessment, all students are strongly encouraged to complete the online ALEKS Learning Modules, available at no charge. Mastering learning module content may result in a higher level placement when the student takes a proctored reassessment.

Foreign Language Placement

Students in a program requiring a foreign language must complete a foreign language placement questionnaire online in FlashLine via a link provided on the student’s Next Steps Checklist. Completion of the questionnaire will determine if the student will need to complete the foreign language assessment.

All students should begin foreign language study at the appropriate level of proficiency, which may be established in one of several ways: university-approved proficiency examination, placement test, College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or Kent State’s Credit-By-Examination (CBE). In cases of languages for which no examiner or examination is available, proficiency can be established (no credit awarded) through appropriate documentation of high school coursework in the native land and language. Credit hours exempted by any of these means still are required for graduation but may be applied toward coursework in the student’s major or minor or as electives.

The term “native language” refers to the language of students who have been born, raised and educated in another culture and who can be expected to use that language not only easily but accurately as well. “First language” refers to the language of students who may have been born and spent their early years abroad or who have been raised in a particular ethnic community in this country; while they may speak the language with some ease, a lack of consistent formal training limits the accuracy of their usage.

A student with a native language other than English may not register for or receive credit in coursework on the elementary or intermediate level in that language or a closely related one as determined by the chair of the appropriate department. Such students may, however, receive credit for coursework successfully completed above the Intermediate II level.

Students with a first (not native) language other than English may be permitted to enroll in, and receive credit for, coursework on the elementary and/or intermediate level. Permission will be granted on a case-by-case basis by the chair/director of the appropriate department/school after evaluation of the student’s skills in that language.

General Chemistry Placement

All students registered for CHEM 10060 General Chemistry I must complete the ALEKS chemistry assessment prior to the start of the semester. Directions will be provided through the student’s Next Steps Checklist and via e-mail. Students will be given access to this assessment for the six weeks prior to the start of classes each term (fall, spring, summer). Any student not completing the assessment with 100 percent mastery of the basic chemistry knowledge being assessed will be de-registered from the class and the related laboratory course, CHEM 10062.

Reading and Study Strategies Placement

Kent State University regional campuses offer two courses to help students develop reading and study strategies to successfully complete college-level coursework—US 00003 Reading Strategies for College Success and US 00006 Study Strategies for College Success. A student placing into US 00003 must take US 00006 the following term.