Placement Examinations
Placement exams are required of all students unless you have completed an appropriate course at a community college or four-year institution with a "C" or better or have appropriate AP or SAT scores. See information below regarding waivers.
Chemistry
If you plan to enroll in introductory chemistry (CHE 2A or 2AH), or workload chemistry (WKD 41C) you must take both the Precalculus Diagnostic Exam and the Chemistry Placement exam. Students who have scored (i) 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Exam in Chemistry or (ii) 7 on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Exam in Chemistry as recorded in their application file are not required to take the Chemistry Diagnostic Test.
Calculus
The Precalculus Diagnostic Exam score (or evidence of appropriate AP/ SAT score - see below) is required for all students who wish to enroll in MAT 16A, 17A or 21A. See Math Department website for waiver information.
Note:
We highly recommend ALL students attending Freshmen Orientation take both the math and chemistry placement exams even if you believe your AP scores will be sufficient. Not all scores are available to students by Freshmen Orientation and taking the test during your Freshmen Orientation visit will help you and your advisers determine the next most appropriate math course to take. You will register for fall quarter classes during Freshmen Orientation and the information provided by these tests is very helpful in the course selection process.
Both qualifying exams are also offered during orientation week as listed below. If you did not attend Freshmen Orientation, please register for fall quarter classes as best you can without scores, take the first offering of the exams during O-week and, if necessary, adjust your schedule. Be sure to register for fall courses and attend alternative classes until you are absolutely sure of your course placement. The CBS Dean’s office (Room 202 Life Sciences) will be available to help with schedule adjustment questions the first week of fall quarter during drop-in advising (530) 752-0410.
You may only take the exam TWO times per quarter. If you take the exams during Freshmen Orientation that counts as one time for FALL.
NO late admittance.
Precalculus:
Monday, September 21 2pm 194 Chem Bldg.
Wednesday, September 30 7pm 194 Chem (incorrectly printed in Course Registration guide as 6:00 pm test)
Chemistry:
Tuesday, September 22 2pm 194 Chem Bldg.
Tuesday, September 29 7pm in 194 Chem (incorrectly printed in Course Registration guide as 6:00 pm test)
English
The Entry Level Writing requirement must be satisfied by all students to earn credit for college level English courses and GE writing component courses. It is important to register for the appropriate "workload" English course in fall quarter if you have not satisfied this requirement. The requirement may be satisfied by passing the Analytical Writing Placement Exam (taken by most freshmen in May of their high school senior year) or with appropriate AP/SAT scores. Please refer to page 90 of the UCD 2008-2009 catalog for specific information about completing this requirement. If you need a “workload” prep class (or more) to satisfy this requirement, please take these classes every quarter until the requirement is satisfied. Students will be dis-enrolled at the end of the first academic year if the requirement is not satisfied by that time and will be required to complete an appropriate course at a community college before returning to UCD.