Congratulations on finishing high school and choosing AUS! Are you ready for your first assignment? I'm guessing it's not what you are most excited about, but placement tests are an important step toward accomplishing your goals. At this point, you may be wondering... What are placement tests? Do I need to study for them? Which ones do I take? Dr. Mehvash joins us on the show to answer these questions and more! Listen to our 10-minute chat for tips that will set you up for success on these upcoming assessments.
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Host: Welcome to FYE Chats, an AUS podcast. I’m your host, Erica Payne. College is a BIG transition that can be a little overwhelming. We invite you to listen in on candid conversations with the AUS community because we want to see you THRIVE as you begin your First Year Experience.
On this week’s show, we’re going to chat with Dr. Mehvash Ali about the best ways to prepare for placement tests.
Host: Dr. Mehvash is the director of the Academic Support Center and First Year Experience. I’ve gotten to witness firsthand her passion for helping students succeed and enjoy their college experience!
Host: Mehvash, thank you so much for joining us today.
Guest: Thank you for inviting me.
Host: We’d love to learn a little more about your department
Guest: Broadly speaking, the Academic Support Center assists students in achieving academic success. I have a wonderful team of advisors and peer advisors. We offer a variety of Student Success Workshops and also coordinate academic accommodation for students with disabilities. We help students explore majors they may be interested in. In particular we work very closely with first-year students.
Host: Great! Sounds like a busy department.
Guest: Yes, we are.
Host:Now, I’m going to jump right into the serious stuff. Ok. All of the talk about placement tests can be nerve-racking. What are placement tests and why do new students have to take them?
Guest: First year students at AUS come from many different countries and educational backgrounds. The placement tests are used to test their knowledge and level of preparedness for first year courses in Math, Writing, and Physics. Student scores on the placement tests determine whether they can go directly into the first college level (or what we call 100- level) course in these subjects or if they need to go through preparatory courses to be ready for the content level of the first year courses.
There are situations in which students can be exempted from having to take the placement tests and these are noted in the UG catalog and the placement test website.
Host: Okay, so now that we understand a little bit about what they are. How will a first-year know which placement tests to take?
Guest: All students need to take the writing placement test. The major you have selected determines which other placement tests you will need. For example, most engineering students with the exception of computer science majors will need to take the physics placement test. There is a really handy table on the AUS placement test website that clearly tells you which placement tests are needed for your particular major.
Host: That sounds pretty clear! Here’s a trickier question.Which tests should a student take if they haven’t decided on their major yet?
Guest: I knew you were going to ask that question. Students can take the placement tests in the general area that they are interested in. For example, if they know that they are generally interested in a business major, they can take the writing placement test and the business math placement test. This will allow them to take the appropriate courses to work towards any business major. If they really don’t know the general area of interest for majors, they are welcome to come and see me at the academic support center either before or during orientation so that we can discuss the options for majors. Based on that conversation, I can guide them towards the appropriate placement test.
Host: I’m sure that would be a helpful meeting. These tests sound pretty important. Oh yes, they are. What happens if a student doesn’t do well on a placement test?
Guest: Students who don't attain the placement scores necessary to register directly in the 100-level courses have to pass the relevant preparatory course before they can take the first level of college courses in that subject area. These prep courses are 00-level courses and are in addition to the courses that students need for graduation.
Host: I guess those courses could build a helpful foundation, for students who still need to grow in that content area. Exactly, the prep courses give students a solid foundation for the content they will encounter in the first college level courses in those subject areas. How does it impact their graduation timeline or the courses they might take?
Guest: If a student doesn't attain the required score on the placement test, they will delay taking the relevant first level of college courses in those subject areas. This can have a trickle down effect for the other courses in the sequence. Students can explore with their advisors strategies to use the summer semester to catch up.
Host: What if a student is disappointed in their grade and felt like it does not reflect their ability? Can students retake placement tests if they don’t do well?
Guest: No, students can only sit for a placement test once. So it's important that they do their best the first time. The only exception is the Math placement test if the student is changing to a different major that has a different math requirement.
Host: So, it does sound like these tests should be taken seriously.
Absolutely
Host: I’m guessing our listeners might want to grab something to take notes for this next question. How can first-years set themselves up for success on the placement tests?
Guest: Students admitted to AUS have a high potential for success and are well prepared for the placement tests through their high school education. If they want to brush up on their knowledge, especially after a summer of rest and relaxation, they can go to the AUS placement test website and work through the practice tests available. This will give them a good idea of the types of questions and topics they will encounter. There are multiple practice tests with answer keys available for each type of placements test. In addition to practice tests, the placement test website also has detailed instructions for the placement tests that students should be familiar with.
Host: Wow! That was a lot of helpful information. I am glad. Before we close the show, I’d like to end with a few questions that we ask all of our guests.
Host: What is your favorite part of campus?
Guest: I really like the Sheraa space on campus in the library building. It has a coffee shop and rocking chairs and swings. Good space to take a break during the day and chat with a friend.
Host: No matter how put together you may sound, we know that everyone has bad days. Do you have a most embarrassing moment in college or at AUS?
Guest: I once wore two different colored shoes to work. I didn't even notice until close to lunch, probably because I sit behind a desk most of the time. Nobody said anything so I hope no one notices. Luckily I was able to pop home quickly and change.
Host: Lastly, what is one piece of advice you’d like to share with our first-years listening?
Guest: AUS has some incredible services to support our students. My advice would be to start using these services early and consistently. There is so much help available, all students have to do is ask.
Host: It was such a treat to hear from Dr. Mehvash today. Check out our show notes for links to the resources mentioned. If you found this information helpful, we would love to hear your feedback! Thanks so much for listening to our show. See you next time, on FYE Chats.