The AOU offers placement tests in English language, information technology and mathematics. The English Language placement Test aims at categorizing students to their respective levels in English courses which comprise of three foundation levels and two credit courses.
The IT and math placement test helps to identify students who need IT and math foundation.
In addition to the above mentioned placement tests, the university offers an Arabic language placement test which stands as a basis for exempting students from doing one of or both Arabic communication skills courses. These two courses are among the university general mandatory courses.
All placement tests at AOU are optional for students. However, students who do not sit for the tests, unless they are exempted, will have to start from the first level of the particular courses/levels.
In addition, all tests are computer based and administered on campus. The English language placement test has a paper-based writing component in addition to the computer based component.
Students can be exempted from the English language foundation courses by satisfying an International academic IELTS certificate (band 5) OR TOEFL (internet based: 61, computer based: 173: paper based: 500). These tests should not be more than two years old. As for the IT foundation, students who are already certified with the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) or Internet & Computing Certification (IC3) are exempted from the IT foundation and therefore do not need to sit for the IT placement test.
