Transfer Course Placement Testing
As part of your initial course registration experience at Saginaw Valley State University, you may be required to take one or more Course Placement Tests. Course Placement Tests are used to determine which, if any, Basic Skills Courses in reading, writing, and mathematics you must enroll in. Listed below are brief descriptions of each test.
Note: Placement or exemption in Basic Skill Courses is determined by Course Placement Test results and ACT scores. For transfer students, placement into or exemption from these required courses also may be determined by the results of the Transfer Evaluation Report (TER). Review of high school GPA, ACT scores, and transfer credits are based upon records received by the Office of Admissions and evaluated prior to the testing date.
Please note: Credits earned in courses numbered below the 100 level will not apply toward graduation and grades for these courses are not included in a student's overall grade point average. However, these credits may be applied when determining a "full load" for financial aid and/or freshmen athletic eligibility.
Students admitted under a provisional or probationary status may be required to enroll in these courses during their first semester as a condition of their admission.
1. Writing Sample
Placement into or waiver of English 080 (Writing Skills) and English 111 (Elements of Composition I)
Time: 40 minutes
- Scrap paper is included for constructing a rough draft.
- Students pick one of two topics and write an essay.
- Students' writing is critiqued on style, grammar, punctuation, spelling, paragraph structure, sentence structure, etc.
Placement:
Members of the English department read and evaluate essays. Based on their consensus, they then place the student into the appropriate course.
2. Reading
Placement into or waiver of English 082 (Fundamentals of College Reading and Learning), English 103 (College Reading and Learning) or English 104 (Strategies for Academic Success).
Students whose overall High School GPA is 3.00 or higher and whose ACT Composite Score is 22 or higher are exempt from reading courses and will not have to take the Reading Test.
Transfer Credit/GPA Reading Waiver (source will appear as ‘TER')
| Credits Completed * | GPA |
| 30-40 | 3.25 |
| 45-59 | 3.00 |
| 60 or More | 2.75 |
* Courses in progress not included
Time:
Part I: 15 minutes-80 vocabulary questions
Part II: 20 minutes-38 reading and comprehension questions
(2 pts. each)
Total points possible: 156
Placement into Reading classes based on the following National Percentiles:
| English 082 | 17th %ile and below (62 pts. and below) |
| English 103 | 18th %ile - 39 %ile(63 - 82 pts.) |
| English 104 | 40th %ile - 57 %ile (83 - 97 pts.) |
| Waiver | 58th %ile and above (98 pts. +) = 12th grade reading level |
3. Mathematics Placement Test
Placement into or waiver of Math 081 (Basic Mathematical Skills), Math 082 (Beginning Algebra)
Students with an ACT Math sub-score of 17 or lower are required to complete the course Math 081 (Basic Math Skills) and will not take the Mathematics Placement Test. Those who believe this placement is incorrect should contact the Math Resource Center (989-964-4648 or mathtutor@svsu.edu) for review materials and possible testing for higher placement.
Students with an ACT Math sub-score of 27 or higher are exempt from courses Math 081 (Basic Math Skills) —103 (Intermediate Algebra) and will not take the Algebra Placement Test. Students will enroll in a math/statistics course appropriate for their degree requirements (students interested in math, science, technical, or engineering degree programs are encouraged to complete the Calculus Readiness Test).
Students with anACT Math sub-score of 18-26 will complete the Mathematics Placement Test. Any student wishing to review for the math placement exam can receive review materials from the Math Resource Center by calling 989-964-4648, or emailing to mathtutor@svsu.edu.
Time:
45 minutes (32 questions)
- Scrap paper is included in tests.
- A scientific calculator is provided at the time of testing.
- Please see enclosed flyer for concepts and sample questions.
Placement based on the following scores:
| 00-10 correct | Math 081 |
| 11-13 correct | Math 082 |
| 14-17 correct | Math 103 |
| 18-27 correct | College algebra-level course pertaining to your major |
| 28-32 correct | May take Calculus Readiness Test |
4. Calculus Readiness Test
Placement into Math 161
Students may qualify to take this test with either an ACT Math sub-score of 27 or by scoring 28 or higher on the Mathematics Placement Test
Time:
30 minutes
- Scrap paper is included in test.
- A scientific calculator is provided at the time of testing.
Placement based on the following scores:
| 0-3 correct | Take Algebra Placement Test |
| 4-10 correct | College Algebra - Level course pertaining to your major |
| 11-16 correct | Placement - 140 |
| 17+ correct | Placement - Math 161 |