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The Bulldog - For the SWOSU Family

Test-Optional Pilot Program

SWOSU is participating in a test-optional pilot program study for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. This study analyzes how to best place incoming students into developmental and support courses based on high school GPA. We are using this program to place students who have not taken the ACT, SAT, or CPT placement exams. Based on this program, students with no ACT or SAT will be placed in the following method:

  1. Students will be encouraged to take a CPT exam before enrollment if possible. The student will have the option of taking the CPT exam on campus free of charge or remotely using Proctortrack or Examity. The remote test will have a fee. Scores from this placement test will be used as normal.
  2. Without an ACT, SAT, or CPT exam score, placement will be based on the following:
    1. Mathematics
      1. Tier 1: Students with a 3.25 GPA or higher cumulative high-school GPA will clear all deficiencies.
      2. Tier 2: Students with a 2.75-3.24 cumulative high-school GPA will be placed in the core mathematics course with co-requisite support course.
      3. Tier 3: Students with below a 2.75 GPA cumulative high-school GPA will be placed in the developmental mathematics support course.
    2. English
      1. Tier 1: Students with a 3.25 GPA or higher cumulative high-school GPA will clear all deficiencies.
      2. Tier 2: Students with a 2.75-3.24 cumulative high-school GPA will be placed in the core English Composition I course with co-requisite support course.
      3. Tier 3: Students with below a 2.75 GPA cumulative high-school GPA will be placed in the developmental English Composition I support course.
    3. Reading
      1. Tier 3: Students with below a 2.75 GPA cumulative high-school GPA will be placed in the developmental-reading support course.

Scholarship

SWOSU follows a merit-based, needs-aware scholarship formula. For scholarship purposes of those students who do not submit ACT scores, student GPA in high school will be equated with an ACT score in the following method:

    1. 4.0 GPA = 23 ACT
    2. 3.75-3.99 = 22 ACT
    3. 3.50-3.74 = 21 ACT
    4. 3.25-3.49 = 20 ACT
    5. 3.00-3.24 = 19 ACT
    6. 2.75-2.99 = 18 ACT
    7. Below 2.75 = 17 ACT
    8. This alternative equivalency score will be used for SWOSU’s formula for merit-based, needs-aware tuition waivers. Other scholarships, such as the President’s Leadership Council and foundation scholarships, will continue to follow requirements such as ACT scores and essays, if applicable.

Support Services

All tier 3 students will be placed in a College Success course to support them in transition to college learning. 

About the program

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and inability of students to access standardized testing, many institutions of higher education have deferred the requirement for students to submit an ACT or SAT score for admission until testing is available. These decisions to adopt temporary test-optional policies have occurred in the broader context of a national discussion regarding the value of college entrance exams. Given this important national conversation and the concerns regarding the predictive ability of college entrance exams, coupled with concerns about equity, SWOSU has been selected to participate in a test-optional pilot program. Through this program, SWOSU will conduct research on standards, variable of significance, impacts of supportive services, and student success measures. The goal is to provide an alternative method for student admittance, scholarship award, and support that does not include a nationally-normed, standardized aptitude test.

Students or parents who have questions about the test-optional pilot program can contact any of the following for more information:

  • Office of Enrollment Management: 580-774-3782
  • Office of Assessment and Testing: 580-774-7084
  • Provost’s office: 580-774-3264