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Placement Testing

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Welcome Saint Leo Lion!

In order to foster an environment that promotes academic success, it is vital that students take certain courses early in their academic careers. Placement Exams are just one way to help Student Success Coaches identify courses that best align with a student’s current academic ability. Other ways that this is determined are:

  • By deciding not to take Placement Exams. If a student decides not to complete placement exams, s/he will register for ENG 110-How to Write Well or MAT 100-Intro to Algebra with Applications (if required for selected major).
  • By submitting official ACT and/or SAT scores. The chart below outlines the courses a student will place in based on their scores:
Saint Leo Mathematics COURSE GRID Mathematics ACT Scores Mathematics SAT Scores
MAT 100/131 0 - 17 0 - 449
MAT 128/141 18 - 20 450 - 519
MAT 151/201 21 - 22 520 - 539
MAT 152 23 - 26 540 - 609
MAT 231 27 610
Saint Leo English COURSE GRID English ACT Scores English SAT Scores
ENG 110 - Native Speakers

ENG 119 - Non-native Speakers

0 - 18 0 - 509
ENG 121 19 510
  • If you have credits from Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, International Baccalaureate (IB), or Cambridge AICE/GCE, please submit your transcripts to Saint Leo University Registrar's Department to verify if you are able to waive taking the placement exams.

All students that take Placement Exams must uphold Saint Leo University's Core Value of Integrity as well as the university's Academic Honor Code.  Students needing accommodations should contact the Office of Accessibility Services to submit a formal request for ADA accommodations and provide necessary documentation. Contact the Office of Accessibility Services, at (352) 588-8464 or email adaoffice@saintleo.edu

Placement exams can be completed online using ProctorU, an online proctoring service or on campus in Kirk Hall. Please select your option below. Testing will begin on campus starting January 9th, 2023.

Placement Exam Details

Online Placement Exams for Fall 2023 will begin on  March 1, 2023, and on-campus exams will begin on May 15, 2023. If you do not complete your placement exams, you will be automatically enrolled in foundational courses that may not count toward your degree requirements. If you have any questions, please discuss this with your Success Coach.

Math Placement Exam

You will be taking a Math Placement Exam designed to measure your knowledge of basic and intermediate algebra. Your results will be used to determine which math course is best for your first semester at Saint Leo University.

This exam is an hour and 5 minutes long  and consists of two sections. Basic four (4) function calculators are permitted for the mathematics placement exam.

English Placement Exam

You will be taking an English Placement Exam that will test your knowledge of grammar and punctuation and your ability to think critically and communicate effectively.  Your results will determine which English course is best for your first semester at Saint Leo University.

This exam is 55 minutes long and consists of two sections.

PLEASE TAKE PLACEMENT EXAMS SERIOUSLY.

Course Placement

Course Placement for English

Saint Leo requires two sequenced composition courses, English 121 and English 122, as part of the University Explorations (general education) program. However, occasionally incoming students need a bit more preparation in order to succeed in English 121. Your results will either place you in English 110-How to Write Well, a course that covers foundational concepts related to grammar, punctuation, and sentence and paragraph structure or English 121, which reviews these skills and goes on to study various types of essays. If you place in English 110 in your first semester, you will then take English 121 in the following semester.

Course Placement for Math

All Saint Leo University students are required to take a mathematics class as a University Explorations (general education) requirement. This requirement may vary depending on the student’s major.

Based on your score and major, you will take MAT 100/131, MAT 128/141, or MAT 151/201.

  • Students who need only one mathematics course to fulfill their University Explorations requirement may take MAT 131 or College Mathematics. MAT 131 is a terminal course and will not prepare students for higher mathematics courses.
  • Sequence for all Business Majors: MAT 100 (Intro to Algebra with Applications), MAT 141 (Finite Mathematics), MAT 201 (Introduction to Statistics)
  • Sequence for all Majors who need MAT 151 (College Algebra) and/or above: MAT 100 (Intro to Algebra with Applications), MAT 128 (Intermediate Algebra), MAT 151 (College Algebra), MAT 152 (Trigonometry), MAT 231 (Calculus)

Schedule Your Placement Exam

Main Campus Students:

Schedule On-Campus Placement Exam 

On-Campus Information

Placement Exams are administered in the Center for Academic Vision & Excellence (The CAVE) located in Kirk Hall on the 1st Floor. If you need assistance scheduling your on-campus placement exam or locating the building, please contact us by phone (352) 588-8307 or via email.

Placement Exams takes approximately two hours. There are four sections:

  • English - 1, 15 minutes, to measure knowledge of grammar and punctuation.
  • English - 2, 40 minutes, to measure critical thinking and effective communication through essay composition.
  • Math - 1, 30 minutes, to measure knowledge of basic algebra.
  • Math - 2, 35 minutes to measure knowledge of intermediate algebra. 

Test Day Checklist

  • Create your Saint Leo University password before arriving at Saint Leo.
  • Bring your government issued identification.
  • Bring basic 4-function calculator.
  • Get plenty of rest the night before your exams. 
  • Take the placement exams seriously.
  • Relax and do your best!

After Test Day

You will NOT receive scores from the Placement Exam. Your Student Success Coach will build a first semester course schedule based on your results. 

First time logging into the my.saintleo.edu portal? Click here to create your portal password.

Watch How to Register with Proctor U here 

ProctorU Information

Placement Exams take approximately two hours. There are four sections:
     • English - 1, 15 minutes, to measure knowledge of grammar and punctuation.
     • English - 2, 40 minutes, to measure critical thinking and effective communication through essay composition. 
     • Math - 1, 30 minutes, to measure knowledge of basic algebra.
     • Math - 2, 35 minutes to measure knowledge of intermediate algebra. 

The Online Placement Exam is administered by ProctorU. To get information on setting up your ProctorU account, registering and scheduling your online Placement Exam, and completing your online Placement Exam on your scheduled day and time, read and follow the instructions below. If you experience any technical issues with ProctorU, please email cave@saintleo.edu.

Before you can complete online placement exams, you will need to set up your ProctorU account by clicking here and selecting Getting Started. Please read all of the directions on the page. On the ProctorU page, scroll down and watch the demo video and then select Sign Up to create your ProctorU account. Make sure to complete all of the required steps on the Pre-Exam Checklist prior to logging into ProctorU for your scheduled appointment to complete your placement exams.

Test your Equipment here.
Log in with ProctorU

Test Day Checklist

  • Create your Saint Leo University password before logging into ProctorU
  • Have your government issued identification ready to show the Proctor.
  • Don't forget:
    • Mirror
    • Blank scratch paper
  • Get plenty of rest the night before your exams.
  • Take placement exams seriously.
  • Relax and do your best!

Online and Center Students:

The following assessments will help determine the appropriate initial English and Math courses for you based on your current skill level.

You may opt out of the English Assessment if you have earned a grade of C or better in a credit-bearing, college-level English composition course at a regionally accredited U.S. institution. Contact your academic advisor for assistance.

Please keep in mind that you may take each assessment only once. You will be notified immediately of the results.

Access to the English Assessment

The English Assessment consists of writing an original essay. The essay should consist of a 4-5 paragraph essay with up to 1,000 words. Note: The maximum word count is 1000 words, and you will have up to 45 minutes to complete the essay.

  1. Go to the English Assessment
  2. Click "Create New Account" in the New User section of the page.
  3. Use Access Code: 3YGB-RCSX
  4. Complete the User Account information. Use your Saint Leo Student ID number as your User Name. Be sure to make a note of your Password as you will need the Password for the next step.
  5. When your User Account is successfully created, you will be taken back to the Criterion log-in screen. In the Returning User section, enter the User Name and Password you created and click Sign In.
  6. After you log in, click on the underlined English Assessment class link and then click on the Assignments tab on the next screen to begin your essay.
  7. Depending upon your results you will be eligible to take either ENG002 or ENG121.

Access to the Math Assessment

  1. Register for your Math Assessment.
  2. Fill in your profile information and credentials, record your credentials.
  3. Click Submit, then you will be sent an email to confirm your email address.
  4. After confirming your email address, click Log in to Mobius.
  5. Use your email address and password to log in.
  6. Click Enroll in a Class.
  7. Select Math Assessment then click Register.
  8. Click Confirm.
  9. Click on Math Assessment.
  10. Click on Assessment 1.
  11. Click "Next" to move from question to question.
  12. Click "Submit Assignment" when complete to grade your test.
  13. Business majors with a score of 14 or greater on Assessment 1 should enroll in MAT 141. If you score below 14, you should enroll in MAT 003.
  14. Assessment scores are reported to the Center for Online Learning.

Foundational Courses (MAT 003 and ENG 002)

Foundational courses are non-credit courses. (Foundational courses DO count as 3 semester hours each for financial aid purposes.) If you are required to take a Foundational Course, we recommend you enroll in at least one foundational course your first term.

Foundational courses do not count toward the 4-class limit prior to matriculation; however, Foundational courses DO count as 3 semester hours each for financial aid purposes.

Under Federal Regulation 38 USC 3672, 3675, 3680A: VA will not approve payment of benefits for remedial courses offered online.

Please contact your academic advisor if you have any questions about the assessments.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • International Bridge students are only required to complete the Math Placement Exam. You will receive more information from Dr. Iona Sarieva, Director of the Bridge Program. 

Placement Exam Exemptions

  • International students in the Bridge program. International Bridge students will complete the math sections of the Placement Exam during their first semester at Saint Leo University. You will receive more information from Dr. Iona Sarieva, Director of the Bridge Program.International students that are not in the Bridge program are required to complete placement exams.
  • Transfer students with credits from other institutions. Students transferring to Saint Leo University must submit official transcripts from previous institutions to the Admissions office.  Your Student Success Coach will review your transcripts and determine if you need to take placement exams.  Your success coach or the program office for your College will contact you regarding your need to complete Placement Exams.
  • Incoming First Time In College (FTIC) students with certain scores/grades in AP, IB and dual enrollment classes.
    • FTIC students that receive a 3 or higher on English or math AP exams similar to courses tested on the Placement Exam will be exempt from one or both parts of the exam.
    • IB diploma holders that receive at least a 4 on English A, Math Methods, Math Studies, or Mathematics will be exempt from one or both parts of the exam.
    • FTIC students that take dual enrollment courses and receive at least a C or better in courses similar to those tested on the Placement Exam will be exempt from one or both parts of the exam.
  • Students with Cambridge AICE Exam Credits. Saint Leo University accepts credits for passing scores of A, B, C, D or E on the British AS-Level or A-Level courses. No credit is offered for Ordinary Level courses. 
  • Students that complete College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) testing. Saint Leo University will review CLEP scores and determine if a student is exempt from Placement Exams.

If you have any questions about placement exam exemptions, please contact a Student Success Coach.

Success Coaches by College

Schedule an Appointment with a Student Success Coach

College of Arts and Sciences:

Biology, Medical Humanities, and Undeclared

Catherine Eisenhart-Mora  |  (352) 588-7110  

Associate of Arts, English, History, Political Science,
Psychology, Religion, Sociology, & Theatre

Meghan Cowper | meghan.cowper@saintleo.edu | (352) 588-8427

Tapia College of Business

Nicole Baum  |   Nicole.baum@saintleo.edu   |  (352) 588-7222 
Justin Carter  |   justin.carter@saintleo.edu   |   (352) 588-7241

College of Education and Social Services

Cecelia Livingston| cecelia.livingston@saintleo.edu | (352) 588- 8416
Valens Hasubiziman| valens.hasubiziman@saintleo.edu | (352) 588-7110

School of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Data Science:

Computer Science, Information Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Data Science

Frank Jackson| frank.jackson@saintleo.edu | (352) 588- 8116

College of Health Professions:

Health Education/Health Promotion, and Nursing

Frank Jackson| frank.jackson@saintleo.edu | (352) 588- 8116

Contact Us

Technical Questions

Email:  CAVE@saintleo.edu
View the Campus Map.

Questions? Please contact your Student Success Coach.