The Placement Program:  The Department of English and Humanities and the Department of Mathematics use ACT sub scores to place incoming students into first-year English and Mathematics courses.

If the student has not taken the ACT, he/she will be required to take the COMPASS battery of placement tests.  Placement measures in Mathematics, Reading and Writing Skills are components of the COMPASS.

English Placement:  The following chart illustrates the courses that students will be placed into based upon both their English and Reading ACT sub scores.  For practice test information for the ACT go to the following link:  Practice tests

Students who believe they are not prepared for the course they are placed into may opt to take a lower-level course. For example, a student who has a 21 ACT English sub score may choose to take ENGL 0096 instead of ENGL 1101.

Students who believe they are stronger writers than their ACT or COMPASS score indicates may petition (PDF) the Department of English and Humanities for an opportunity to take a writing placement examination. Students are encouraged to confer with a representative from the writing faculty before enrolling in a lower-level course or petitioning to challenge their placement.

 Math Placement:

The following chart illustrates the courses that students will be placed into based upon both their Mathematics ACT sub score:

Students who believe they are not prepared for the course they are placed into may opt to take a lower-level course. For example, a student who has a 17 ACT Math sub score may choose to take MATH 0099 instead of MATH 1010. Students who believe they are stronger Math students than their ACT score indicates may challenge their placement by taking the COMPASS Math.

Students who have taken the SAT should contact Michelle Patrick, Student Assessment Coordinator, for placement information.

Placement Test Schedule
The date, time, and location of the sessions are listed below. An appointment is required for the sessions listed.  Please allow 15 minutes prior to a testing session to locate the building and room designated.  The test lasts approximately 2 hours for all sections. To register for a test session, please contact the Student Success Center at ((740) 351-3594. These sessions are for students that have not taken the ACT or want to meet with Student Assessment Coordinator to file the paperwork to challenge placement.  REMOTE TESTING IS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS LIVING IN CLEVELAND, COLUMBUS, CINCINNATI AND DAYTON. THERE IS A REMOTE TESTING FEE OF AT LEAST $25.00 WITH THE PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITY. CONTACT MICHELLE PATRICK AT 740-351-3592 TO SCHEDULE.

*******ALL SESSIONS BELOW REQUIRE REGISTRATION TO ATTEND********

Please click on the  Online Placement Registration to register for any of the dates below.

 * An evening session can be arranged by appointment only.

** Students requiring special testing accommodations should contact Jim Weaver at (740) 351-3276 and fill out the Request for Placement Testing Accommodations (PDF).

For any further information regarding the Placement Program at Shawnee State University contact the Student Success Center at (740)351-3594 or e-mail us.

Sample Test Information
For Sample Test Information for the Reading, Writing, and Mathematics placement tests go to http://www.act.org/compass/.