Placement tests
Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences
Placement tests
For some courses, participation in a placement test is required. The placement tests in English and other languages are used to compare the skills of students and to divide the students into the appropriate course levels. If necessary, interviews may be held to help determine the level.
With placement tests in mathematics and accounting, first semester students with prior knowledge may directly qualify for courses in the 1st or 2nd semester. By passing one of these placement tests, students are entitled to participate in subsequent courses.
Students without any prior knowledge or with minimal prior knowledge need not take part in a placement test. They can take a compact course before the start of the semester or a preparatory course during the semester. In the compact courses, knowledge is refreshed and verified with a final exam. This is comparable to the placement test.
Registration for placement tests and compact courses starts on August 22nd, 2022
| Degree program | English | Mathematics | Accounting | Other languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics B.A. | Yes | Yes | No | Voluntary |
| Corporate Information Management B.Sc. | Yes | No | No | Voluntary |
| Business Administration and Management B.A. | Yes | Yes, alternatively take part in the preparatory course (1st semester) | No, but the "Turbo-Course" is recommended. | Voluntary |
| Business Administration in Healthcare B.A | Yes | No | Yes, alternatively take part in the preparatory course (1st semester) | Voluntary |
| Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physiotherapy B.Sc. | Yes, for those interested in the Bachelor-Plus Program International Physiotherapy B.SC., otherwise recommended | No | No | Voluntary |
| Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy B.Sc. (dual) | Yes | No | No | Voluntary |
| International Management B.A. | No | Yes, alternatively take part in the preparatory course (1st semester) | No, but the "Turbo-Course" is recommended. | Yes |
| International Business Administration and Management B.A. | Yes | Yes, alternatively take part in the preparatory course (1st semester) | No, but the "Turbo-Course" is recommended. | Yes |
| Midwifery B.Sc. | Yes | No | No | Voluntary |
| Public Management B.A. | Yes | No | Yes, alternatively take part in the preparatory course (1st semester) | Voluntary |
| Public Administration B.A. | Yes | No | No | Voluntary |
| Nursing B.Sc. (dual) | Yes | No | No | Voluntary |
| Nursing Management B.A. | Yes | No | No | Voluntary |
| Nursing Science B.A. | Yes | No | No | Voluntary |
| Social Work B.A | Yes | No | No | Voluntary |
| Business Psychology B.Sc. | Yes | No | Yes, alternatively take part in the preparatory course (3rd semester) | Voluntary |
| Business Law LL.B. | Yes | No | No, but the "Turbo-Course" is recommended. | Voluntary |
| Master's degree programs | Voluntary | No | No | Voluntary |
The English placement test is used to compare the skills of the students. Based on the results, the students are divided according to their language level. The English language test is mandatory for several degree programs.
The overview shows whether participation in the English placement test is required, recommended or optional. Students who want to refresh their knowledge somewhat before a course, can take in a compact course.
The English language test is taken online. After registering, participants receive an e-mail with further information and access data for the test. The test can be taken on any computer with an Internet connection and audio playback (speakers, headphones). It is important that pop-ups are allowed in the Internet settings.
The test for the upcoming semester can be taken between September 6th and September 25th, 2022 anywhere (online, computer with speakers required). About an hour is required for the test.
The students should do the test alone and without assistance. This is important because according to these results, the student is assigned to the corresponding language level. The test also includes a self-assessment of the language skills.
The results are reviewed in the first sessions by a language teacher. Should there be large discrepancies between the test results and the actual language skills, an interview will determine the assignment to the language level.
The test is conducted at the language level 2. By passing, you receive admission to level 3. Otherwise, you start studies at level 2.
Even though the participation in the English placement test is not mandatory in some degree programs, participation is often recommended. Students need verification of a language level if they, for example, want to attend a language course at the university or complete a semester abroad.
Students can get more information on the language levels and English subject during the introductory events in their degree program.
In addition to the mandatory placement test, students can also participate in placement tests in other languages. This is recommended because the placement tests are used for the assignment to the language level and are required if students want to participate in language modules.
Placement tests can be taken in the French, Spanish and Russian languages at the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. Foreign students can also participate in a placement test in German.
Scheduling
- French: September 23rd, 09:00 am in room CN0006
- Lenght: 60-90 minutes
- Spanish: September 23rd, 2022;
- Available: 10:00 am-12:00 pm
- Lenght: 90 minutes
- Russian: Meeting September 27, 13:30pm in room CN0003. There individual discussion of the appointment for the placement test
- German: execution by CIS
Design of the placement tests
To get an overview of the scope and the contents of the tests, the university provides overviews to the students.
French placement test
For the French placement test, participants should have mastered everyday French and have prior knowledge of approximately 200 hours. This placement test takes about 90 minutes and the contents consist of four parts:
- Auditory comprehension
- Reading comprehension - cloze
- Written part - essay
- Grammar
Spanish placement test
The Spanish placement test is intended for all university students who already have prior skills in Spanish and want to take Spanish courses during their studies or complete a semester abroad in Spain or Latin America. It is used to assign students to the correct level of courses in the semester or as the basis for obtaining the necessary skills for a study abroad. It should be completed at the beginning of the first semester of study if possible.
Students without any previous knowledge must not take the test. For them, there are three possibilities:
- one of the two courses Spanish 1 with 4 hours per week during the semester or
- the course Spanish 1 + 2 with 8 hours per week during the semester.
The placement test consists of an electronic multiple choice part (grammar, listening and reading comprehension) and a short text production of around one page. The levels 1 and 2 can be skipped with the placement test. For students for whom Spanish is the second mandatory language, Spanish module 2 will be credited if level 2 of the placement test is passed. In this case, the grade from the placement test together with an additional short oral exam is used to calculate the grade for the Spanish 2 module.
Students from all faculties and courses at the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences can participate.
German placement test
To participate in some of the modules in the first and second semesters, verification of basic accounting skills is required for several degree programs.
If first semester students already have basic skills, they can take the accounting placement test at the beginning of the first semester. The placement test is taken in written form at the university. In order to pass, participants require about half of the total number of points. In this test, participants may use a calculator as an aid. This may be not programmable.
The accounting placement test include:
- Bookkeeping and closing out techniques
- Management accounting
The placement test will be held on September 19th, 2022 (10 a.m.) in the CN building of the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences.
Students with little previous knowledge can refresh their knowledge in a compact course before the semester begins, and then participate in the placement test.