Why do I Have to Take a Placement Test?

A question incoming students often ask is, "why do I have to take a placement test?" That's a great question. The purpose of a placement test is to gauge incoming first-year students' math and English proficiency. Placement testing is a requirement at all accredited post-secondary institutions for students who have not clearly demonstrated college-level proficiency in the areas of math and English. 

So why is this important? Before enrolling in college, all students must show that they can read, write, and perform mathematical functions on a collegiate level regardless of their major. Although college graduation requirements range depending on your major, all college students must complete two levels of English composition and at least one college-level mathematics course. Even those transferring college credit from other institutions will have to take a placement test if they haven't passed English composition or a college-level math course.

When a high school student enrolls into college immediately after high school, they bring many academic indicators, including class grades, SAT, ACT, and AP test scores, that can help determine their level of proficiency. At some institutions, these indicators may even satisfy placement testing requirements. 

That said, most incoming undergraduate students will likely have to take a placement test. Even some graduate students must take a placement test if they are pursuing a math-intensive graduate program and have not demonstrated a sufficient level of math proficiency in their undergraduate program.

Placement Tests & Veterans

Most veterans returning to college are many years removed from high school and have not taken any standardized testing other than the ASVAB in the past several years. Because of this, student veterans are more likely to be required to take a placement test if they haven't passed college English or math at an accredited college or university.

The critical thing to understand about placement testing is that it will not determine your admission status. It is not a form of punishment or a way to deter you from your educational goals. Think of it like basic training or boot camp; the military would not deem you combat-ready if you did not demonstrate basic combat skills. An institution of higher learning would not consider you college-ready if you have not demonstrated basic math and English skills.

A placement test simply tells your academic advisor if you're ready to take college-level English or math or if you need to take remedial classes to get you up to speed. Remedial courses do not count toward your graduation, but they are an essential step for most who want to pursue a college degree.

Learn more about how practical degrees and flexible scheduling make GGU the perfect fit for military-connected students.