ABSTRACT
Placement testing of entering college freshmen is a common activity following admission into college. This chapter explores the need for placement tests, and discusses characteristics of tests used for college placement. It offers guidelines for consideration in how placement tests and placement test results are used. Of note is the distinction between placement tests used for placement into entry-level, credit-bearing courses or developmental courses, and those used for placement into courses beyond the entry-level course. Credit-by-examination tests, such as the College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) program and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), allow students to receive credit for the coursework by demonstrating sufficient proficiency in the subject area. It allows students to complete college earlier or use the extra time to complete coursework of a more advanced level than may typically be encountered during an undergraduate program. Validity refers to the interpretation and use of assessment results and not to the test instrument being used.
