Placement Exams
We offer placement exams for three of our introductory programming courses.
CSCI 102
Fundamentals of Computation
CSCI 102
Fundamental concepts of algorithmic thinking as a primer to programming. Introduction to C++.
CSCI 103
Introduction to Programming
CSCI 103
Basic datatypes, assignments, control statements, input/output, functions, arrays, structures, recursion, dynamic memory, file handling. Programming in C/C++.
Eligibility
Exam Request Form
CSCI 113- If you have prior knowledge of introductory programming, you are eligible to take the CSCI 113 placement exam. CS majors should only take either the CSCI 102 or CSCI 103 placement exam.
CSCI 102 - If you have prior knowledge of introductory programming in Java or C++, you are eligible to take the CSCI 102 placement exam. Students who have a score of 4 or 5 on AP Computer Science A do not need to complete the CSCI 102 placement exam.
CSCI 103 - If you have completed a semester length introductory programming course at a transfer institution in C++ before matriculating in to USC, and it covered all of the following topics in detail, you are eligible to take the CSCI 103 placement exam: basic datatypes, assignments, control statements (if, switch, for, while), input/output (printf, scanf, cin, cout), functions, arrays, linked lists, structures, recursion, dynamic memory, and file handling. Students are not permitted to use USC course work to become eligible for the CSCI 103 Placement Exam. Students are not eligible to take their computer science or engineering course work in transfer after matriculating to USC.
- Students who have previously attempted or are currently registered in CSCI 102 or CSCI 103 are not eligible to take any CSCI placement exam.
- Students may only take one CSCI placement exam. We recommend selecting the most advanced exam you are eligible for.
- Students who have previously taken the placement exam cannot retake the exam.
- Passing a course placement exam does not guarantee D-Clearance/registration in courses. Students must follow the D-Clearance instructions provided here.
- The Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science takes academic integrity violations seriously. Using outside tools like ChatGPT to gain an unfair academic advantage is prohibited. Utilizing outside tools will result in students automatically failing the Placement Exam and being reported to the Office of Academic Integrity. Students will not be able to retake the Placement Exam. No exceptions.
Only request an exam if you are prepared and ready to take it. DO NOT submit duplicate requests. If you have already taken the exam DO NOT submit a request to retake the exam.
Fall 2026 CSCI Placement Exam Information (In-Person Only)
- Date: Friday, August 21st
- Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST
- Location: On campus, the exact location will be provided in an email confirmation sent to registered students the day before the exam.
- Exam Request Deadline: Wednesday, August 19th at 1:00 PM PST.
- Exam Request Form: Fall 2026 Computer Science Placement Exam Request Form – Fill out form
OSAS Students with Approved Testing Accommodations: Students who are registered with OSAS and who want to use their approved testing accommodations must plan to take the exam with the OSAS Testing Center. Students must contact the OSAS Testing Center (osastestingservices@usc.edu) at least one week before the exam date to make testing arrangements. Email notifications made to the OSAS Testing Center less than one week in advance of the exam date are reviewed based on space and timing.