Assessment of initial skills – Degree in Biological Sciences

Access to our three-year Degree Courses requires some basic skills relating to the understanding and use of scientific language (including the representations and notations of mathematics), taking into account the National Indications and Guidelines for high schools. The verification of these skills takes place, for all enrolled students, by means of a test (Assessment test of initial skills). The test does earn any training credits, and a low mark/fail does not impede participation in the courses. Students who do not pass (or do not take the test) are assigned additional educational obligations (OFA) to be completed before taking exams and in any case within the first year of the course. The test takes place remotely and consists of an online questionnaire that includes 20 questions relating to the understanding and use of texts in Italian, and the representations and notations of mathematics. The maximum duration of the test is 40 '(with the exception of those who are entitled to more time).

The test will take place as part of a Google Meet videoconference; each participant must have a device that allows participation in the videoconference and work on the University platform. The device must be positioned in such a way as to frame the student and the work surface. All participants must have an identity document to present on the day of the test.

All students are required to take the test. Those who have taken this test at their secondary school in collaboration with DiSIT are exempt, as are those who, following a transfer in university or change of course, and have had their credits approved. All other students are invited to take the test.

Studens who hold a SLD certificate, and thus have the right to extra time for the teste, are asked to immediately contact this office to inform the staff: servizi.studenti@uniupo.it, attaching a copy of the certification.

All students can use a non-scientific calculator.

Before taking the test, each student must:

• check that their enrolment process is complete
• have accessed the University platform, using the student enrolment number and password chosen at the time of registration on the platform for online services during the pre-enrolment stage 

To take part in the test, the student must have registered for the Esse3:

• for Alessandria INITIAL SKILLS code MF0435
• for Vercelli INITIAL SKILLS code MF0436.

It is recommended that you use a computer equipped with a webcam for the test. For technical reasons, the use of mobile devices is strongly discouraged. If you intend to participate in the test with a mobile device, you must also have a second one available for use of the webcam.

Each student may participate in a maximum of one round among those scheduled between September and November. Starting in January, there will be more rounds arranged for those who have not passed the test on the first attempt. The additional rounds can also be taken multiple times.

The additional educational obligations (OFA) set for those who fail the test include remedial courses that will be carried out remotely, with the possibility of face-to-face meetings. The calendar of these courses will be published on the DiSIT page.

Those who have not passed the test in the first round, or do not pass it in the second round, will be able to follow the course "Initial skills" in the coming months.

Check the dates, times and classroom for the course for students from Alessandria and Vercelli on UPOplanner.

Scores

Each question is worth up to a maximum of 0.5 points. The passmark for the test is a score equal to or greater than 5.01 / 10 on a total of 20 questions. For those enrolled in the Bachelor's Degree Course in Chemistry (located in Alessandria) only, a score equal to or greater than 2.51 / 5 on each block of 10 questions (text comprehension and mathematical notations) is required.

More information on the assessment of initial skills.