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Orientation

Orientation is for all new USCB students.  You are now ready to get "oriented" to your new University! At Orientation you will have the opportunity to meet with a financial aid counselor, talk with current and new USCB students, learn about campus and residence life, meet faculty and staff and get to know your new University! Orientation is mandatory for all new students.

Dates for Fall 2011 New Student Orientation:
May 12 - Nursing majors only
June 1
June 6
June 8
June 20
June 22
June 27
July 11
July 18
August 16 - Late Student Orientation

Click here for a tentative Orientation agenda.

Register for Orientation at http://orientation.uscb.edu. If you do not see your preferred date in the date selection box, that date is full. Please choose another date.

Placement Testing

All students who are new to USCB are required to take placement exams no less than one week before attending new student orientation.  Specifically, new students are required to take placement exams in English, Foreign Language, and Mathematics unless qualifying for an exemption as outlined below.

These exams are used to determine proficiency in the tested subject areas and, in the case of the math and foreign language exams, to permit exemption of lower-level courses with movement to the appropriate upper level course. Course exemption does not automatically result in course credit.

USCB's placement exams can be taken online through Blackboard at http://blackboard.uscb.edu. In order to access USCB's placement exams all students must have their USCB Network Username/Password. To retrieve your USCB Network Username and set up your Network Password, you will need to complete the process of setting up your VIP account. Instructions may be found at the link below.

Click here for information about accessing the Visual Information Processing (VIP) system and Blackboard

These tests may be taken from home or any location with a computer and internet access. Computers are available on either USCB campus in the library for anyone that does not have a computer at home.

PLACEMENT TEST CODES/SCORES FOR STUDENTS

These guidelines are provided to show how placements in English, foreign language and mathematics are determined.

ENGLISH PLACEMENT TEST CODES/SCORES

• Incoming freshmen who have taken the WRITING portion of the SAT (not the SAT VERBAL) do not have to take the English placement exam, but they may elect to do so if they do not place out of BENG 101L with their score on the SAT.
• Students with a score of 470 or higher on the WRITING portion of the SAT do not have to take English 101L.
• Students with a score below 470 on the WRITING portion of the SAT must either take BENG 101L or place out of BENG 101L with a sufficiently high score on USCB's English Placement Test.
• Students with a score of 3 or higher on the AP English exam do not have to take the English placement exam, and they place out of BENG 101L.
   

FOREIGN LANGUAGE PLACEMENT TEST CODES / SCORES

• The foreign language placement test is REQUIRED for students who have, in the past five years, completed two or more years of the same foreign language in high school (Spanish, French, German, or Latin).
• All others not included in the statement above and those who wish to begin a new language do not need to take the placement test, but should begin their foreign language study in the entry level classes.
   

MATHEMATICS PLACEMENT TEST SCORES

Prior to enrolling in mathematics courses at USCB, each student must take the Mathematics Placement Examination to determine his or her current level of mathematical skill.  This information is then used to determine which entry level mathematics course is appropriate for that student.

• Only students who take the Placement Exam may schedule a mathematics course.
• Students with a score of 3 or higher on the AP Calculus Exam are NOT required to take the Mathematics Placement Exam.

The Mathematics Placement Exam consists of 32 multiple choice questions with a 45-minute time limit.  Students should have pencil and scratch paper available; neither calculators nor outside assistance may be utilized.  Questions should be answered to the best of the student's ability.  It is not wise to guess wildly.  Too high a score may result in enrollment in a class that is too difficult and too low a score may result in enrollment in an unnecessary course. 

Students may review for the Mathematics Placement Exam by visiting https://assess.math.sc.edu/public/algebra/practice_test_solns.pdf.

Student Notes: Students are encouraged to enroll in the highest level mathematics course that they are eligible for and which is appropriate for their Major though they are not required to do so. The student and Advisor should discuss the option that best suits the collegiate educational objectives for the student.

* or lower level math course

Contact Information 
All students with questions regarding placement testing should contact Joe Vermilyea at placement@uscb.edu or by calling (843) 208-8034.

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, please note that students with disabilities must notify Disabilities Services at (843) 208-8120 before scheduling the exam.