Oxford students must take placement tests or have their high school transcripts and test scores evaluated to determine the appropriate starting level for some courses. Placement is determined by standardized test scores and transcripts for some subjects like French, Spanish, Latin, Arabic, and biology. For other subjects, students take on-campus placement tests during orientation, including tests for English courses for non-native speakers, and math placement which uses self-placement tests, previous coursework, and an on-campus exam. Students wishing to take chemistry must complete an online placement test by August 1.

1. Course Placement
&
Placement Testing

2. Knowing which courses to take each semester is an
important part of being a college student. You’ll learn more
about how to do this in future modules on curriculum,
advising, and registration.
But for now, you need to know whether you need to take
placement tests, and if so, which ones, and when.

3. Oxford students have many choices when
selecting courses each semester.
However, for some courses, it is necessary to ensure
that you have the appropriate knowledge or skill
level before enrolling in the course you want to
take.

4. Oxford accomplishes this in
several different ways that
vary by academic
discipline.

5. Where possible, we use your high school transcript
and standardized test scores to determine your
appropriate level in a discipline.
This is the case in:
- French, Spanish, Latin, Arabic, Biology;
- English for native speakers with SAT verbal scores at
or above 550, or ACT scores at or above 23.
You and your advisor will be informed at orientation
of the level of course you are eligible to take.

6. In other cases, students must take actual placement
tests, administered on-campus during orientation.
This is the case for:
English courses for non-native English speakers;
Students w/lower than 550 verbal SAT;
Students w/below 23 on the ACT).
You and your advisor will both be notified of your
placement before you register during orientation.

7. Math placement is accomplished through a combination of:
- self-placement based on previous coursework taken
- on-line self-placement tests taken over the summer
- a placement exam taken on-campus at orientation

8. Students wishing to take Chemistry must complete an on-
line placement test by August 1 to determine correct
placement.
The links on the following slides will take you to the Chemistry test and the
required mathematics self-placement tests, as well as to more thorough
explanations of how placement is determined in each curricular area.

9. These links will take you to explanations of the
placement requirements for courses you wish to take
in English, Foreign Language, Biology, Chemistry, and
Mathematics.
Follow the links to the Chemistry exam and math self-
placement tests as needed.

10. Placement Links
 Language Courses
 Mathematics Courses
 Science Courses
 Swim Courses

11. Course Placement
&
Placement Testing
Good Luck!