Placement Testing
Placement Testing/Assessment
Students seeking admission to a degree or certificate program must show evidence of English and math placement. This may be completed through recent ACT/SAT test scores, college coursework, or by taking Cincinnati State’s Placement Assessment for mathematics, writing and reading. Academic advisors use these documents to ensure students begin their academic career at Cincinnati State at an appropriate level as college course prerequisites are enforced. Students may be required to enroll in one or more Academic Foundations course identified through placement assessment.
Cincinnati State’s Placement Assessment, ACCUPLACER Next Generation, may be completed at the Clifton or Middletown campus locations, in addition to online or at an approved proctored location. Check the Placement Test section of the College website to schedule a testing appointment and to review sample questions for test preparation.
Other guidelines for placement assessment:
- Your Cincinnati State Application for Admission is required prior to placement assessment.
- A photo ID is required at time of test administration. All IDs must be current.
- There is no charge for first-time assessment.
- There is a $5 parking fee at the Clifton campus garages.
- Plan on approximately 2 hours for testing in all three sections.
- The WritePlacer and WritePlacer ESL portion of the assessment is a timed 60-minute essay.
- The reading and math portions are not timed.
- Personal calculators and Windows system calculators are not allowed. An online calculator will appear for appropriate math questions.
- Pencil and paper will be provided.
- Group testing must be pre-arranged by the Office of Admission; please call (513) 861-7700 for details.
- Students taking Cincinnati State’s Placement Assessment will also be encouraged to complete the Smarter Measure (keyboarding) assessment for placement into specific courses.
Placement Testing Accommodations
If you are a student who has disabilities or believe you have disabilities, we encourage you to contact the Cincinnati State Office of Disability Services at (513) 569-1775 prior to testing.
English as a Second Language Assessment
If English is not your first language, we encourage you to take Cincinnati State’s ESL test, which includes listening, reading, WritePlacer ESL (if required) and math. Please reference the below charts for waivers and placement recommendations.
Placement Assessment Waivers
Cincinnati State’s Placement Assessment will be waived for admission if an applicant has:
- taken the ACT or SAT test within the past two years, or
- taken the COMPASS or ACCUPLACER assessment within the past five years, or
- successfully completed and transferred a college-level courses in math and/or English composition at a regionally accredited institution.
- Test scores and transcript(s) must be submitted to the Office of Admissions. Request ACT scores via www.ACTstudent.org (ACT School Code: 5570). Request SAT scores via collegeboard.org (SAT School Code: 1984).
Note that some programs and courses require specific test scores higher than the score indicated below.
The following chart describes Cincinnati State Placement Assessment waivers and course recommendations:
| Assessment | Score | Course Placement | Admission and Placement Assessment Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT English | 18 or higher | ENG 101 | Reading and Writing Waived (the higher of the English and Reading scores determines placement) |
| ACT Reading | 21 or higher | ENG 101 | Reading and Writing Waived (the higher of the English and Reading scores determines placement) |
| ACT Math | 22 or higher | College Level | Math Waived |
| SAT Writing & Language | 430 or higher | ENG 101 | Reading and Writing Waived (the highest of the Writing and Reading scores determines placement) |
| SAT Reading | 450 or higher | ENG 101 | Reading and Writing Waived (the highest of the Writing and Reading scores determines placement) |
| SAT Writing & Reading | 480 or higher | ENG 101 | Reading and Writing Waived (the highest of the Writing and Reading scores determines placement) |
| SAT Math | 520 or higher | College Level | Math Waived |
| COMPASS Writing | 69 or higher | ENG 101 | Reading and Writing Waived (the higher of the Writing and Reading scores determines placement) |
| COMPASS Reading | 88 or higher | ENG 101 | Reading and Writing Waived (the higher of the Writing and Reading scores determines placement) |
| COMPASS Algebra | 52-100 | College Level | Math Waived |
| COMPASS College Algebra | 0-100 | College Level | Math Waived |
| COMPASS Trigonometry | 0-100 | College Level | Math Waived |
| ACCUPLACER Classic Writing | 5 or higher | ENG 101 | Reading and Writing Waived (the higher of the Writing and Reading scores determines placement) |
| ACCUPLACER Classic Reading | 80 or higher | ENG 101 | Reading and Writing Waived (the higher of the Writing and Reading scores determines placement) |
| ACCUPLACER Classic Math | 60 or higher | College Level | Math Waived |
| ACCUPLACER Next Gen Writing | 5 or higher | ENG 101 | Reading and Writing Waived (the higher of the Writing and Reading scores determines placement) |
| ACCUPLACER Next Gen Reading | 250 or higher | ENG 101 | Reading and Writing Waived (the higher of the Writing and Reading scores determines placement) |
| ACCUPLACER Next Gen Quantitative | 275 or higher | College Level | Math Waived |
Placement Assessment Requirements and Recommendations
Applicants who have taken the ACT or SAT test within the past two years, or the COMPASS or ACCUPLACER assessment within the past five years, may use those scores for admission and in some cases for placement into academic foundations-level courses (below 100 level).
Cincinnati State’s Placement Assessment is required for applicants who:
- do not have an approved recent test score on file, or
- if approved test scores (ACT/SAT/COMPASS/ACCUPLACER) in English, writing, reading or math do not have a course placement.
Applicants may choose to take Cincinnati State’s Placement Assessment if the scores submitted for admission place them into an academic foundation-level course. Preparing for and taking Cincinnati State’s Placement Assessment would permit students the opportunity to test for a higher course placement.
Applicants who feel additional review would be beneficial are encouraged to seek academic assistance through the Educational Opportunity Center in Room 133, Main Building (Clifton Campus) to get free help preparing for the Placement Assessment.
PLEASE NOTE: Some degree programs require specific test scores and applicants should discuss additional assessment needs with their academic advisor and should complete that assessment prior to registering for classes.
Students should work with their academic advisor to determine course placement based on test scores.
Smarter Measure Assessment
Smarter Measures is a keyboarding assessment tool. The results assist advisors with placement into courses that require keyboarding skills. Students taking Cincinnati State’s Placement Assessment are encouraged to complete the Smarter Measure assessment.
Microsoft Office Specialist Exam
The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification is for individuals looking to increase their competence, productivity, and credibility with their colleagues and clients in today's competitive job market, by demonstrating proficiency using Microsoft Office software programs.
This test is open to the public and is administered in the Testing Center at the Clifton Campus. Students interested in this certification should:
- create an account and purchase a test voucher through Certiport for the desired test
- complete the Proctor Fee Payment Form and take it to the Cashier's window (ATLC Building 2nd floor)
- register for a test day and time