Almost 400 incoming freshmen may have been placed in the wrong math class, despite the new online testing method used this year. Freshmen were able to take their math placement tests online before they came to orientation, allowing their placement to be decided months before their orientation date. After scores were analyzed by the math department, it was realized that a significant number of students had placed into a higher math level than their ACT scores and high school record would have predicted, according to Martha Garland, vice provost of Undergraduate StudiesThe unusual scores were noticed early in the summer, but action was delayed until all students were tested to make sure there was a consistent number of students scoring higher than expected. The math department keeps statistical data on placement history that indicates which math level generally corresponds to which ACT scores. Between 5 and 10 percent of students, enough to be noticeably important, were found to have been placed into a higher level than the rest of their package would suggest.Under the online testing method, math level is determined by the placement score alone, while in the paper and pencil testing method, the entire record of ACT scores and previous math experience was also consulted in determining the correct placement.”The math department and Office of Academic Affairs is undergoing a very thorough study to find out (the reason for the disparity in scores),” Garland said. “The assumption is that the testing environment matters. When students test in their own room or school without the anxiety of the orientation setting, they are likely to test better.” Students are also able to take the test closer to the time they finish their high school math classes, and have access to other materials, such as a calculator, whereas many students come to orientation without one. Garland sees no major motive for students to cheat on the exam. “It’s usually believed that students will deliberately blow off the test to be placed into an easier class,” she said, and freshman B.J. Pickerrell supports her theory. “It was easy taking the test at home, but I blew it off. I would rather get better grades,” he said. Other major universities, including the University of Minnesota, Michigan State University, and Miami University of Ohio, have used the online testing method for some time and have never experienced problems with students being placed into the wrong level, according to Garland.The Registrar’s Office contacted the students who had enough of a disparity in scores and advised them to consider moving back a level. “It was entirely up to the student to make the decision of whether to switch classes,” Garland said. The majority of students contacted weren’t enrolled in math classes this quarter, making the switch easy. “My math class is taking a short, ten question quiz next week to make sure we’ve been placed in the right level,” said freshman Leah Jorden.Garland insists that online math placement tests will prove to be beneficial.”Whenever you try something new, you never want unexpected outcomes, but anytime you have complicated processes like this, you will have them,” Garland said.The reaction of freshmen has been largely positive. “Most of the students were glad that we contacted them and felt that they may have been in over their heads with the math class they were placed into,” Garland said. Other students felt they could handle the extra work and didn’t choose to switch classes.The motivation for starting the online placement testing was to free up test-taking time during orientation to allow students to have more time to get acquainted with the OSU campus. The overall effect of online placement testing was helpful to the orientation process, according to Garland, and she is quite certain that OSU will continue to administer online testing, although the university might try to find an alternative, proctored method to use online testing during orientation.