FAQ's
The placement tests for math and reading are on-line. Does this mean I can take the test from home?
It is correct that these tests are web-based, computerized on-line assessments. However, because they are placement tests, including the writing exam, they must be completed in a proctored environment. Subsequently, you must test at Ship or one of the alternate test sites.
I passed all parts of the PSSA tests. Do I still need to complete placement testing?
Congratulations on passing all parts of the PSSA (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment). We do not use PSSA scores to determine placement testing requirements. We only use nationally normed tests such as the SAT or ACT. If testing is required based on your SAT scores, you are still required to complete your placement testing.
I am not required to take the placement tests. Should I take the optional math test?
If you choose to take the math test, you are not eligible to receive course credit for testing into the respective Advanced level.
If your math SAT is between 540 and 605 and you wish to be eligible for Calculus I, you must take the optional test and test into the Advanced level. In addition, for certain majors (generally B.A. degrees), testing into the Advanced level will satisfy the university's math competency. When you satisfy the competency with the placement test, those 3 credits can be used for any college class. In essence, it can count as an additional free elective. If you are majoring in Teacher Education, taking the optional math test is unnecessary because this major requires a minumum of 2 college level math courses.
What if my SAT scores are incorrectly reported?
If your SAT scores are different from what is posted on your Test Reservation Form (gold sheet), please contact the Office of Admissions. The information posted on the Test Reservation From comes directly from the Office of Admissions. Generally, a correct/updated SAT score report can be faxed or mailed to their office.
If you only completed the ACT, your ACT scores are converted into SAT scores. These converted scores subsequently are posted on your Test Reservation Form. If you are interested in the conversion of ACT scores to SAT scores, please contact the Office of Admissions. The Placement Testing Office does not have any information on the conversion.
If you plan to test at an alternate site, please contact the Placement Testing Office so that we can notify the site of your correct scores and placement testing requirements. If you are testing on the Ship campus, no further action is necessary as your corrected SAT scores will get posted and we will readily have access to that information.
What are the dates of placement testing on the Shippensburg campus?
Placement testing is available in June and July at Ship. Testing is also available at the alternate test sites posted on the Alternate Sites link
To view the dates and register for one of the testing dates at Ship, please select the "Registration@Ship" link and input the requested information. You will be given your Ship ID# and e-mail address. Your Ship ID# is also your Library ID#. Proceed by selecting url link and entering requested information.
Directions for testing at an alternate site can be accessed by selecting the appropriate alternate site link.
Unless otherwise noted, testing on-campus takes places in the Grove Hall building. Grove Hall can be found on the university's campus map: building number 36.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes early. Photo ID and Test Reservation Form (gold sheet) are required.
What are the dates of placement testing at the alternate sites?
Alternate site testing is available before June 4th at several college sites. For placement testing dates at any of the Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) campuses, the main campus of Bucks County Community College (BCCC), the main campus of Lackawanna College, the main campus of California University of Pennsylvania, the main campus of Delaware County Community College (DCCC), the branches of Allegany College of Maryland (ACM), or Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC) please contact them directly. Their respective contact information can be accessed by selecting the appropriate college link below. Again, all early testing must be completed by June 4th. Please note that some alternate sites have earlier deadlines.
These locations are free by the deadline.
Free testing location information
Students required to complete any part of placement testing MUST complete all testing requirements before their orientation date in order to register for classes during June or July Orientation. This means you MUST complete your placement testing requirement ASAP.
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What is the deadline for free placement testing?
Placement testing is offered free of charge at the following community colleges when the testing is completed prior to the deadline provided in the college’s PDF below.
How do I register for testing?
If testing at Ship, simply select the Register Online link. If testing at one of the alternate sites,
Contact Shippensburg Placement Testing office first 717-477-1395 and then contact the local college where you would like to test at. Please select the appropriate link below:
Allegany College of Maryland (Western Pennsylvania)
California University of Pennsylvania (South Western Pennsylvania)
Westmoreland County Community College (Western Pennsylvania)
DISCLAIMER: Each college is its own entity and may decide to charge a fee. If one of the above free testing locations begins charging fees, please contact the Placement Testing Office at Shippensburg.
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These locations are available with a fee.
Pay sites are provided to provide more flexibity to students who are not local to any free testing location.
What process do I follow to register?
Contact Shippensburg Placement Testing office first 717-477-1395 and then contact the local college where you would like to test at.
Pay Sites- There are many pay sites listed here.
The last ones include additional instructions or where to go for directions.
Bucks County Community College (Eastern Pennsylvania) Placement testing fee: $20.
Delaware County Community College (Eastern Pennsylvania) Phone number: 610-325-2776. Placement testing fee: $35.
Harrisburg Area Community College (Central Pennsylvania: 6 sites). Fee may vary by location. Contact the campus to find out if there is a fee and whether placement testing is offered past the days on the pdf.
Lackawanna College: Main Campus (Northeastern Pennsylvania) Confirming Fee status.
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What if I can not complete testing by the early deadline of June 4th?
If you are unable to complete testing by the testing deadline, you will not be able to attend orientation or register for classes. Please remember however that completing your testing early is strongly recommended because it aids in the development of your schedule.
Does placement testing have any impact on my admissions?
For students already admitted to the University, placement testing does not have an impact on admissions. Placement testing is designed to aid in the selection of appropriate courses your first semester.
What do I need to bring to testing?
You must bring a photo ID and your Test Reservation Form (gold sheet) which indicates the tests you are required to take. Please bring a pencil. Please do not bring calculators. They are not allowed for testing. Also, please arrive at least 15 minutes early and know your social security number or SUID (Shippensburg University ID).
When should I take the placement test(s)?
We recommend that you complete testing as soon as possible; ideally before the early testing deadline in June. This will allow ample time to prepare yourself academically before you begin classes.
What should I do if I have earned course credits or I am taking an AP course/test?
If you have taken a course in which you earned college credit, please send official transcripts to the Admission's Office. If the college credit is for a math or English class, please inform the Placement Testing Office. If you already have your AP score, please send an official transcript to the Admission's Office. If you will be taking the test, generally we will still recommend completing testing.
If I have to complete all 3 tests, do I have to register for 3 different testing sessions?
No, whether you need one, two, or all three tests, all testing is completed in one testing session.
How long is testing?
Each test is untimed, but expect at least 30 - 45 minutes per test.
When will I get my results?
Because we use an on-line assessment for math and reading, the test results will be available immediately upon completion of the tests. The English essay results will be available on the web at a later date.
How should I prepare for the tests?
The primary reason students do not do well is that they do not review. To review Accuplacer's overview for students, select this Link.
This is especially true in math. Our math test emphasizes basic algebra. Many students unfortunately believe that this information will return to them at testing. You should plan on a minimum of 5 hours of review. Please review the following to ensure your basic algebraic math skills:
Where else can I practice math skills?
Comprehensive Math Review. This free virtual math lab provides complete Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and College Algebra courses equivalents as well as ACT/ACCUPLACER and GRE math tutoring programs. The math review also has a self testing portion that operates similar to accuplacer as it will modify the questions asked based upon which answers are correct. Please note that you will be required to write down the answers for the questions to compare with the answer sheet. The post test information includes detailed work solutions to the problems provided.
Ted's Teaching web site. Dr. Ted Panitz is a Mathematics teacher at Cape Cod Community College. Ted provides various reviews on this page as well as links to documents from developmental review classes Elementary Algrebra and Intermediate Algebra. To effectively use the review classes, attempt to complete the chapter tests. They are the last files at each chapter and are titled similar to Chapter 1 Form E. If unable to complete any question, go to the chapter materials and study the concepts that apply to the test question.
What preparation is needed for the English and Reading tests?
The English essay does not require any special preparation. The topic is of general knowledge.
The reading test also does not require any special preparations; however, the following review sheet provides some comprehensive reading strategies. The website (2nd link) provides a variety of ACCUPLACER practice tests.
I tested into the developmental level (Reading or Math Level 1 or Math Level 2):
What does this mean?
Based on your placement testing results, it appears that you need additional preparation to be successful in college level work.
For those with placement into Math Level 2: MAT 050 is only required if the major requires MAT 140 or MAT 211. Undeclared Students with Math Level 2 placement should only take MAT 050 if they are leaning toward a major that requires MAT 140 or MAT 211.
What should I do?
We recommend that you remediate your developmental placement by taking and passing a developmental course through your local college, university, or community college. However, please remember, developmental courses do not count toward graduation. If you wish to take a summer class, please complete a Transcript Request Form. This will allow me to send your testing results to the respective college and give "permission" to take the recommended course. If you are considering the tutoring option, please have your tutor contact the placement testing office at dihenr@ship.edu.
How do I know what class to take?
On the options sheet you receive immediately following testing, it lists equivalent community colleges courses. If you remain unsure, please feel free to contact us with any questions. The equivalent courses at alternative testing sites listed at the end of the options sheets below.
What do I do if I no longer have the options sheet?
The options sheets can be found at the following links:
Basic Writing (ENG050), Dev Reading, Math 1, Math 2, Math 3, Math 4, Math 5, and Math 6.
How do I prepare for the developmental math course (MAT050 or equivalent)?
Please read the page for Developmental Math Preparation. Resources include: general outline of course requirements, sample pre-test with worked out solution files, general Shippensburg Student Resources, and Pre-Test information. The Pre-Test information page also specifies "Successful performance on the pre-test may give a student the option to move up to the appropriate college-level mathematics course for their major. "
Undeclared Student Survey link:
http://SHIPAPP02.ship.edu/mrIWeb/mrIWeb.dll?I.Project=UNDECLAREDSURVEY