Placement Testing for Freshmen Students

• You must bring a picture ID and a #2 pencil to all tests.
• If you have registered with UAB Disability Support Services and are eligible to receive academic accommodations, schedule your placement tests through the testing center at (205) 934-5503 or placetest@uab.edu.

• transferred to UAB and have not completed English Composition (101) with a grade of C or better;
• have a score lower than 20 on the English and Reading subtests of the ACT on file with the Undergraduate Admission office; or
• have a verbal SAT1 score less than 480.

You may take the English placement test ONE time.

You do not need to make an appointment to take the test. Simply attend the test session on the first day of fall freshman orientation in the Hill University Center Alumni Auditorium, 1400 University Boulevard. If you require special accommodations for the test, contact the testing center at (205) 934-5503 or e-mail placetest@uab.edu.

• completed college-level coursework at a U.S. institution or international school but have not completed English Composition (101) with a grade of C;
• have a score lower than 20 on both the English and reading subtests of the ACT on file with the Undergraduate Admission office; or
• have a verbal SAT1 score of less than 480.

To schedule a test, contact the testing center at (205) 934-5503 or email placetest@uab.edu

The Department of Academic Programs & Policy is responsible for having your transfer transcript evaluated for UAB credit.  If you are transferring credits taken prior to Fall 1995, there is a possibility that you will be asked to provide course descriptions for evaluation.  If course descriptions are needed, you will be contacted by the Department of Academic Programs & Policy or your academic advisor.

For more information about transferring credits to UAB visit BlazerNET or go to www.app.uab.edu for specific school and course information.  For more information about international transfer credit, please go to www.app.uab.edu/intl_articulation.asp .  Additional questions can be answered by your academic advisor or by calling the Department of Academic Programs & Policy at (205) 934-5503. 

N/A: GPA not applicable

• Example: If your ACT math subscore is 21, and your high school core GPA is 3.2, you would place into MA 102, but you would have the option of taking MA 110.
  • An ACT math subscore greater than or equal to 27 places you into MA 125 regardless of your high school GPA.
  • You always have the option of choosing a lower-level course if you feel you need more preparatory work.
  • Your advisor can help you determine which math class is appropriate for you at orientation.
  • Some students may need to take math screening tests to determine the appropriate course. If you need to take the tests, simply attend the test session on the first day of freshman orientation in the Hill University Center Alumni Auditorium, 1400 University Boulevard. No appointment is necessary. The Advanced Screening Test lasts for one hour and 15 minutes, and the Calculus Screening Test includes an hour for Part I and another hour for Part II.
  • A list of topics covered by each mathematics screening test is available on the UAB Placement Testing web-site www.uab.edu/testing.
  • You may bring a scientific calculator to the tests. Programmable/plug-in calculators, computer algebra systems, and graphing calculators are not acceptable.
  • If you require special academic accommodations for the tests, contact the testing center at (205) 934-5503 or email placetest@uab.edu.

• If you have never taken a foreign language course, you do not need to take a foreign language placement test. You will begin with a 101 foreign language course.
• If you have had one or more years of foreign language in high school (within the last two years), you must take a test in that language before enrolling in the 100-level sequence.
• Native speakers of French, German, and Spanish cannot take a beginning course in their native languages for credit. They must take the online placement test to determine the appropriate level.
• You can take placement tests in French, Spanish, and German from any Internet-linked computer. Go to http://www.uab.edu/foreignlang/ and click on "Web CAPE Proficiency Language Placement." Then follow the directions to take the exam. Both you and UAB will see the results immediately, along with a recommendation for the level of classes you should take.
• For additional information, contact the UAB Testing Center at (205) 934-5503 or placetest@uab.edu.

• If you have never taken a physics course, you do not need to take a physics placement test. You will begin with Physics 100.
• Call your advisor to see if College Physics I (Physics 201) or General Physics I (Physics 221) is a requirement for your major. If so, you will need to take the test.
• You should have a strong math background (precalculus trigonometry at a minimum) if you plan to take a physics placement test.
• To schedule a test, contact the testing center at (205) 934-5503 or email placetest@uab.edu