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Assessments in writing and mathematics are required of all incoming students and are designed to assist in advising and registration. All students attending Orientation must complete the online assessment testing prior to their Orientation date.

NOTE: We strongly recommend that you take your assessments on a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or iPad or Android tablet, NOT your cell phone. Online assessment tests are available on your Defiance College Moodle account. You will need to use your Defiance College email and password to login to Moodle.

The writing assessment self-placement tool is designed to help you make the best choice for your first writing course. It begins by providing information about the two most common first-year writing courses: ENGL109 and ENGL125. Then, you will complete a shortened version of an assignment that is similar to an ENGL125 writing task: you will read a brief passage from a text similar to the ones assigned in college writing classes. Then, you will write a short essay responding to a writing prompt. The written response should have a clear focus and include strong reasoning as well as relevant support from the excerpt provided. Finally, you will answer a series of questions that will help you make an initial decision about what course you think is best for you. The Director of Composition will review your writing sample and your responses and give you his recommendation as well.

The math assessment, which will evaluate your numerical skills, is an untimed, online placement tool called ALEKS. It is not a multiple-choice placement assessment. Instead, it is open-response and requires you to work out solutions with a paper and pencil, then enter them into ALEKS. Be sure to have scratch paper with you. ALEKS will provide an on-screen calculator if you need one to complete a particular problem. There is a short video tutorial on Moodle with more details regarding the ALEKS assessment. Please watch this video before starting your math assessment. You can take the placement test up to three times prior to August 1. In between test attempts, ALEKS will suggest a preparatory and learning module that is recommended for you to use to prepare for your next attempt at taking the placement test. Students who complete at least 6 hours of preparatory work prior to their next attempt tend to place one course higher.

Score requirements to be placed in DC's entry level mathematics courses:
Score:                     Math Course:
14-29                       MATH105 Quantitative Reasoning
30-45                       MATH110 College Algebra
61-75                       MATH113 Trigonometry
46-75                       MATH114 Precalculus Mathematics
30-45                       MATH115 Principles of Geometry
76-100                     MATH201 Calculus I

If you need special accommodations for placement testing, please notify the Office of Admissions as soon as possible.
Remember that it is not possible for you to "fail" an assessment test. The College is only measuring the areas that you can already demonstrate mastery in and the areas you need to strengthen. This information will help to determine the best possible recommendations for which classes you should take and serves as an important tool for reaching your academic and professional goals.