PittStart 2007
Information Regarding Pitt Starts for the Class of 2011 will be available in the Spring of 2007!
For more information please check the official PittStart Website
Top Ten "Things to Know" about Taking the Placement Exams Online
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To access the surveys/exams, you will need to have an internet browser with a
connection to the Internet. Internet Explorer is the preferred browser. A modem
with speed of 28.8 kps or better is suggested.
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When connected to the exam, it may take several seconds to load each page
during times of particularly heavy network traffic.
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Please be aware that your session times out after 20 minutes. This does NOT
mean you have 20 minutes for each exam - the timeout applies to the amount of
time a question can sit on your computer with no input from the user. If you
get up and walk away from your computer for more than 20 minutes, you will have
to log in to the exam again. The answers already recorded in the system will
not be lost.
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You will have one URL address, username and password that will take you to a
menu of all exams and surveys you are registered to take. Please note that the
URL address, username, and password are case sensitive.
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Please note that you can take these surveys/placement exams at different times
and in different orders. For the placement exams, it is our recommendation that
you print out the exam, and then take the exam using pencil and paper. Once
you've completed the exam, access the OS3 to submit your answers. Be careful to
submit your answers correctly. Note: using the back button may cause your
computer to lock up. You may use your calculator for the math exams. Results
from your exams will be shared with you during your PittStart session, and will
not be available prior to that date.
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If you are using a dial-up connection from home or work, be aware that some
internet providers such as AOL might automatically log you out if you are idle
or on the system too long. If you are entering data at this time, it may be
lost. Try logging into the survey/placement exam again. If you cannot log back
into the survey/placement exam, please contact the Freshman Program Office at
fpoadmin@engr.pitt.edu.
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If you get an error that says your username or password is incorrect or
invalid, please check that you have properly typed in the URL address and
password correctly (note that they are case sensitive). If you are still
experiencing problems, contact OS3 Administrator at
os3@engr.pitt.edu. Please include a description of your problem in
your email.
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If you experience problems in viewing the surveys/placement exams (e.g. only
checkboxes appear on the screen), it is a good chance that you are working from
a machine that has a firewall associated with it. Situations like this may
occur if you use one of your parent's computers at their workplace. Try a
different computer in a different location. If you're still experiencing
problems, contact the OS3 Administrator at os3@engr.pitt.edu.
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If you are concerned as to whether your answers/responses were properly
submitted, please contact the OS3 Administrator or contact the Freshman Program
Office at fpoadmin@engr.pitt.edu;
either can check to make sure the responses have been recorded to the database.
As each test/survey is successfully submitted, you will receive the following
notice: Completed! Thank you for your participation. After the submission of
the final exam/survey, you will get a notice that the surveys/exams are
completed with a reminder to bring the testing material to your PittStart
session.
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If you have any technical difficulties please contact the OS3 Administrator at
os3@engr.pitt.edu. Please include a description of your problem in your
email. If you have any questions with regards to the surveys and/or the
placement exams, please email the Freshman Program Office anytime at
fpoadmin@engr.pitt.edu or call during business hours at 412-624-9825.
Remember: these exams place you in the appropriate courses for your level of
understanding, so relax and do your best!
Additional Information
If you still have questions regarding PittStart or the placement exam process,
we encourage you to read through the information on the general
PittStart Website. If your questions are not answered there, contact
the Freshman Program Office by phone at 412-624-9825.
