Rather than beat around the bush, we’ll just come out and say it: The new on-line math placement tests are the dumbest idea in the long history of Ohio State. The idea of an on-line placement test is not a bad one in principle. The complete lack of safeguards against cheating is the problem. Actually, there is ONE safeguard. The math department sent out a newsletter, discouraging freshman from cheating on the exam.Maybe the rest of the world should get away from the “police” idea and try simply sending out newsletters telling people that if they commit crimes “they still have to look at themselves in the mirror.” Guess what, folks – people are going to take advantage of the system if they can. People will use textbooks, older friends and the like to try to completely place out of the math requirement for their major. If students are able to cheat on one test and therefore meet their entire math requirement, OSU will turn out students who are not only unschooled in math, but also feel that they can get away with and even benefit from cheating. Pushing the on-line exams on students this year would have some merit if OSU had a real reason to do so. Instead, OSU is using the extra time during orientation to hold “Strategy for Success” workshops for incoming students. Here’s a strategy for success: Take all your exams on-line, kids. You’ll ace them every time.