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5.1: Initial Placements
When a student is admitted to NS, the University determines their initial placement into math and English Composition courses based on a review of appropriate materials. The NSHE Handbook (Title 4, Chapter 16, Section 1.2.c) allows students to complete additional placement testing to improve their initial placement.
NS does not charge students for placement testing.
The University follows the benchmarks in the NSHE Handbook (Title 4, Chapter 16, Section 1.2) for determining college-ready math and English Composition placements.
5.2 Math Placement
NS uses three methods for making initial placements into math courses:
1. The default placement is MATH 120E/20 or MATH 126E/26, depending on major. Students should speak to an advisor about which course is appropriate for their degree.
2. Incoming students are strongly encouraged to submit SAT or ACT math scores. An appropriate score can change their placement from the default placement to MATH 120, MATH 126, or MATH 181, depending on major; required scores are published in the academic catalog.
3. Transfer students who have successfully completed a college-level math course at another institution will be placed into a math course after review of their official transcripts and evaluation of course equivalency.
5.2.1 Raising Initial Math Placements
Students can use EdReady to attempt to place into a math course above their initial placement. EdReady is a free learning platform that allows students to refresh and strengthen their math knowledge. Students are encouraged to begin EdReady as soon as they are admitted. EdReady goals for MATH 120 and for MATH 126 are available in the directions on the NS EdReady website.
EdReady scores must be submitted to mathplacement@nevadastate.edu at least 5 days before the start of the term; while their placement can be changed, the University cannot guarantee that a seat will be available in the appropriate course.
5.3 English Composition Placement
NS uses these methods for making initial placements into English Composition courses:
1. First-year students are strongly encouraged to submit ACT English or SAT Evidence-Based Reading/Writing scores. There is no minimum score to enroll in ENG 100. Students who meet the placement thresholds will be placed into ENG 101 or ENG 102. Required ACT and SAT scores are published in the NS academic catalog and Title 4, Chapter 16 of the NSHE Handbook.
2.Transfer students who have successfully completed an English Composition course at another NSHE institution will be placed into a Composition course based on their transfer course.
3. Transfer students who have successfully completed an English Composition course at a non-NSHE institution must contact the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar will oversee evaluation of the student’s coursework for appropriate placement.
4. Students who do not submit ACT or SAT scores may take the Directed Self-placement Survey. Students who do not submit ACT or SAT scores and do not take the Directed Self-placement Survey will be placed into ENG 100 or 116.
a. The Directed Self-Placement Survey is for initial placement only. Once a student enrolls in, and starts, an English Composition course, only successfully completing that course will allow the student to enroll in the next course in the Composition series; the Directed Self-placement Survey will not be accepted in place of a passing grade in a prerequisite Composition course.
b. Students must complete the Directed Self-placement Survey no later than the first day of classes for their first semester of composition. However, they are encouraged to complete the DSP Survey as early as possible, as last-minute changes may be limited if course sections are full.
5. While NS no longer offers Accuplacer as a placement method, students with existing Accuplacer scores can submit them for placement. They should contact the Academic Advising Center for information about required scores.
5.3.1 Raising Initial Composition Placements
Students who receive an initial placement based on ACT or SAT scores or transfer credits can use the Directed Self-placement Survey to place into a higher Composition course. The survey allows students to assess their knowledge and skills and self-select the level of English Composition they want to enroll in. The following restrictions apply:
1. Students may use the Directed Self-placement Survey before the start of their first term at NS. Once their first term at NS has begun, this option is no longer available.
2. Students who place themselves into a course cannot change their placement to a higher-level course once the self-placed course has begun.
3. After completing or withdrawing from a self-placed English Composition course, a student may enroll in a lower-level Composition course.
5.4 Spanish Language Placement
The default placement for Spanish coursework is SPAN 113: Elementary Spanish I. No placement exam is required to enroll in SPAN 113. Heritage speakers who have regressed in Spanish reading and writing skills may self-place into SPAN 226.
5.4.1 Raising Initial Spanish Placement
Students who wish to place into a higher course may take a placement exam to determine their appropriate placement. Placement exams are available to NS students in the Spanish Language Placement Canvas shell.
1. Students may take each level of the test or take the specific test they believe is suitable for their level of mastery. A score of 75% or higher is required to pass a level.
2. NS offers six placement exams, corresponding to SPAN 113, 114, 213, 214, 301, and 302. Placement will correspond to the lowest level exam passed. For instance, if a student passes the exam for SPAN 213 but does not pass the exam for SPAN 214, the student will be placed into SPAN 213.
3. Placement exams are for course placement purposes only. Students do not earn credits for passing an exam.
4. Students are encouraged to complete the Spanish Language Placement exam as early as possible. Course changes depend on the availability of seats in the appropriate course, and may not be possible in the upcoming term if all seats are full.
5.5 Related Information
- English Self-Placement information
- EdReady information
- NS Placement Testing page
- NSHE Handbook Title 4, Chapter 16, Section 1
- Spanish Language Placement Canvas page
5.5.1 Revision History
- Approved by Dr. Vickie Shields on 9/09/2020 and President Bart Patterson on 11/10/2020.