TAC Python Placement Exams

Technology and Applied Computing (TAC) – School of Advanced Computing

The Technology and Applied Computing (TAC) program offers two distinct Python Placement Exams for students who already have strong Python experience and want to skip introductory programming courses when completing their TAC major, minor, or specialization. Passing one of these exams can help you advance to higher-level TAC courses or complete your TAC program more efficiently.

TAC’s Python Placement Exams can also be used to waive requirements from the following programs:

Intelligence and Cyber Operations (BA)
Data Science (BA)

Sign-Up & Exam Dates

Sign-Up Form: https://forms.gle/rTbb9t53g7W86GNG6

Spring 2026 Exam Dates:

Friday, November 14, 2025 — RTH 105

      • Python Placement Exam I (waives TAC-115/116)
        • Location: RTH-105
        • Time: 01:00pm - 02:00pm
        • Deadline to submit application: November 12th 2025 11:59PM
      •  Python Placement Exam II (waives TAC-216)
        • Location: RTH-105
        • Time: 02:00pm - 03:00pm
        • Deadline to submit application: November 12th 2025 11:59PM

Friday, January 16, 2026 — Time TBD, Location TBD

Overview

Python Placement Exam I (TAC-115 / TAC-116 equivalency):

Waives TAC-115/116: Programming in Python.
Allows registration for TAC courses that list TAC-115/116 as a prerequisite.

Python Placement Exam II (TAC-216 equivalency):

Waives TAC-115/116 and TAC-216: Applied Python from TAC minors.
Allows registration for courses that require TAC-216 as a prerequisite, such as TAC-259 or TAC-449.

Students may take only one exam, and only once. No retakes or switching exams later.

When Are the Exams Offered?

  1. Late-Semester Exam (Week 12) — for students registering next semester.
  2. Start-of-Semester Exam (Week 1) — for students who missed the earlier date

Exact dates, times, and registration links are posted each semester.

Exam Format

In-person only (no remote option)
Duration: 1 hour
Closed-book, on paper
Bring USC ID and pen/pencil.

What the Exams Cover

Python Placement Exam I (TAC-115 / TAC-116): Python syntax, branching, loops, functions and methods, lists, dictionaries, file I/O, debugging.

Python Placement Exam II (TAC-216): OOP, Pythonic coding, NumPy, Pandas, APIs, visualization, machine learning concepts.

Review the TAC-115 and TAC-216 syllabi on the USC Schedule of Classes before choosing.

Python Placement Exam I Sample Questions
Python Placement Exam II Sample Questions

Important Policies

1. Only one exam attempt per student.
2. No retakes in current or future semesters.
3. Results are final — no regrading or review.
4. Results apply only to TAC majors, minors, and specializations.
5. No elective credit granted.
6. Not passing means you’ll take TAC-115 or TAC-216 to build your foundation.

Results and Next Steps

Results will be emailed once grading is complete.

If you pass: Email tac.advising@usc.edu for D-Clearance or registration help.

If you don’t pass: Take TAC-115/116 or TAC-216 to strengthen your skills.

Questions

Email: tac.advising@usc.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

Q: What are the TAC Python Placement Exams?

A: Exams that allow students with prior Python experience to waive introductory TAC programming courses in specific circumstances, specifically either TAC-115/116, or TAC-216.

Q: What are the two exam options?

 

A: The Python Placement Exam I waives TAC-115 /TAC-116 for any TAC minor/specialization, or any TAC course that requires TAC-115/116 as a prerequisite.

 The Python Placement Exam II both waives TAC-115 and TAC-216 for any TAC minor/specialization, or any TAC course that requires TAC-115/116 or TAC-216 as a prerequisite.

Schedule & Logistics

Q: When are the exams offered?

A: TAC placement exams are offered twice per semester:

      1. Week 12 of the semester prior to your desired registration. 
      2. At the end of week 1 after classes have begun for each semester, giving students enough time to take the exam, and register for the appropriate TAC courses before each semester’s registration deadline.

For example, if you want to register for TAC-216 in Spring 2026, you will be able to take a placement exam in Week 12 of Fall 2025. If you are not able to attend this exam, you will have another opportunity to take the exam at the end of the first week of the Spring 2026 semester.

 

Q: What if I can’t attend?

A: If you miss the week 12 exam in any semester, you can still take the exam that takes place at the end of the 1st week in the following semester. If you are not able to take the placement exam at either time, there are no remote or make-up options.

 

Q: What if I arrive late?

A: Late students may not be allowed to start. Please take special care of your schedule on TAC placement exam days to allow yourself to arrive 10–15 minutes early.

Exam Details

Q: What material is covered?

A:  Python Placement Exam I (TAC-115 / TAC-116): Python syntax, branching, loops, functions and methods, lists, dictionaries, file I/O, debugging.

      Python Placement Exam II (TAC-216): OOP, Pythonic coding, NumPy, Pandas, APIs, visualization, machine learning concepts.

 

Q: Can I review my exam after grading?

A: Exams are not returned or regraded – student will not have access to the exam questions after it has been submitted..

Retakes & Eligibility

Q: Can I retake the exam if I do not pass?

A: No. You can only attempt one exam once. Meaning if you choose to attempt the Python Placement Exam I, whether you pass or not, you will not be able to attempt any other placement exams in TAC.

 

Q: If I pass the TAC-115 Exam, can I later take the TAC-216 Exam?

A: No. Once you take one exam, you cannot attempt the other.

 

Q: If I do not passfail the TAC-216 Exam, can I try the TAC-115 Exam instead?

A: No. Only one placement exam per student.

Minor, Major, and Prerequisite Implications

Q: Do I need to make up units if I pass the exam and am able to waive TAC-115 and/or 216?

A: It depends, but for the most part, passing the placement exams also waive the units from your minor. For example – TAC’s AI minor is currently 20 units, requiring both TAC-115 (2 units) and TAC-216 (2 units). If you pass the Python Placement Exam I, TAC-115 will be waived from your minor along with the 2 units, meaning you will only need to complete 18 total units to complete the AI minor.

If you pass the Python Placement Exam II, both TAC-115 and TAC-216 are waived from your minor, meaning you will only need to complete a total of 16 units to complete the AI minor.

Keep in mind though, that all minors at USC require at least 16 unique units that apply only to that minor. So if for example, a Connected Devices and Making minor student wants to place out of the intro course for that minor, TAC-115. If they pass the exam, TAC-115 along with the 2 units will be waived from the minor, meaning their minor will consist of 14 total units. Because 16 units minimum are required for each minor, this student will need to make up the 2 units that were waived from placing out of TAC-115.

 

Q: Can this exam waive prerequisites for non-TAC courses?

A: No. The TAC Placement exams are only approved to waive prerequisites for TAC courses that require TAC-115/116 or TAC-216 as a prerequisite. If you would like to reach out to a non-TAC department to inquire about TAC Python Placement exams waiving prerequisites for non-TAC courses you are free to do so, but this is not the intended purpose of the TAC placement exams, and the default answer to this question is NO.

 

Q: Can I use this to waive TAC-115 or TAC-216 from my major?

A: At the moment, the Python Placement Exams can only be used to waive TAC-115/116 or 216 (if applicable) from:

      • Any TAC minors and specializations.
      • Intelligence and Cyber Operations BA (introductory programming requirement)
      • Data Science BA (waives the intro programming course requirement and allows students to take DSCI-250 without TAC-115 as a corerequisite)

If you would like to reach out to a non-TAC department to inquire about TAC Python Placement exams waiving prerequisites for non-TAC courses you are free to do so, but this is not the intended purpose of the TAC placement exams, and the default answer to this question is NO.

Published on November 7th, 2025Last updated on November 11th, 2025