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Placement Testing Information

As a new freshman for fall 2013, you are required to participate in the University of Wisconsin System Regional Placement Testing program. You will need to complete placement tests in English and math prior to your assigned Odyssey 2013: The Beginning date.

General Information

  • Your placement test scores will be used to place you in appropriate level college courses.
  • You may take your placement test at a number of participating testing locations throughout Wisconsin. The scores will be available to all UW System schools.
  • You will need to complete your English and math placement tests at least two weeks prior to your assigned Odyssey 2013: The Beginning (freshman orientation and registration). Please see all test options in the chart below.
  • You are required to take the English and math placement tests unless you have completed a transferable college English composition course and/or math course.  Review transferable credits at www.uwsa.edu/tis using the "Credit Transfer Wizard."
  • Foreign language placement testing is optional. Please read the section below that discusses foreign language placement testing for further information.
  • Sample placement test questions can be found here.


Testing Dates and Odyssey at UW Oshkosh

There are numerous test dates during March, April and May at various UW System campuses. You may test at any location, allowing you to test closer to home.

Things to Keep in Mind

  • Students attending Odyssey in May should have taken placement tests in March or April.
  • Students attending Odyssey in June must take placement tests in March, April, May or on June 1st.
  • Placement tests may not be taken on your Odyssey day. 
  • When you arrive to take placement tests, you will be required to show a government-issued photo identification document, such as a driver's license, state-issued ID or passport. Students will not be allowed to test without providing an appropriate photo ID. Information about how to obtain a Wisconsin state identification card can be found here.
  • To request special accommodations due to a disability, please see the section below titled "Special Accommodations" for instructions on how to register for placement tests.
 

Register for Placement Tests Online

Register early for the best selection of testing dates at the UW System Regional Placement Testing Program website.
  • This website lists test dates and locations.
  • You may test at any location listed.
  • When you register online you will receive immediate confirmation of your selected date and location.
  • No confirmation letters are mailed. Please print the confirmation you receive when you register so you can remember your location, parking information and directions.
  • Two test options are available: Paper-and-Pencil Test or Computer-Based Test. Please see the chart below for more information.

Important: Students attending Odyssey in May should not register for May paper-and-pencil testing dates. To change your test date, please use the online registration website: www.testing.wisc.edu.

 

Test Option Details  Cost

Paper and Pencil 
Regional Testing 

  • You must bring a non-graphic calculator and No. 2 pencils.
  • Placement tests must be taken at least two weeks prior to your Odyssey 2013: The Beginning date.

 

$25

Placed on your fall tuition bill.

 

Computer-Based 
Regional Testing 

  • Limited number of dates, times and locations.
  • You must bring a personal laptop computer (with a power cord) to your testing location.
  • Requires an additional fee upon registration.
  • Placement tests must be taken at least 48 hours before your Odyssey 2013: The Beginning date.
  • Registration deadlines: Eight (8) days before Saturday tests and nine (9) days before Sunday tests.

 

$65 total

$25 placed on your fall tuition bill.
$40 due at the time of registration.  

 

Last-Minute Option
Other Testing Sites

$25

Placed on your fall tuition bill.

Additional fees determined by individual sites.

Last-Minute Option
UW Oshkosh

$25

Placed on your fall tuition bill.

Additional $5 per test collected at time of test.


TESTING.WISC.EDU

Your source for:

  • Placement testing dates and locations
  • Registration deadlines
  • Confirmation of your registration (remember to print!)
  • Directions to testing sites
  • Parking information
  • Changing your test date
  • Answers to frequently asked questions

Foreign Language Placement Testing (Optional)

To take the foreign language placement test in French, German or Spanish, you must have two or more years experience in the language in which you wish to test.

There is a possibility for you to earn retroactive credits by taking the UW Oshkosh foreign language course you test into and earning a grade of "B" or better in that course. Retroactive credit for foreign language is a topic that will be explained further to you on your Odyssey 2013: The Beginning date.

Special Accommodations

If you need special accommodations for taking your placement test due to a disability, please do not use the online registration system to sign up for testing.

Instead, have a teacher, high school counselor or principal who has the professional expertise to describe the testing accommodations you will need submit a letter, on your high school letterhead, to:

Tim O' Connor
1025 W. Johnson St.
Madison, WI 53706

Please do not send an IEP.

NOTE: The letter must include:

  • Your full name
  • Your address and telephone number
  • The site at which you wish to take the placement test
  • The name of the UW campus you plan to attend in the fall of 2013
  • Description of testing accommodations needed.

Earning College Credit While in High School?

Learn more:

Questions or concerns?

You will find answers to most of your questions on the www.testing.wisc.edu website. If you have questions or concerns that you did not find answers to on the website, please contact one of the following Admissions staff members: