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•  What Placement Exams are there?

When you enroll at Valparaiso University you will take a number of Placement Exams that will assist you in enrolling in courses at the proper level. Placement Exams are given in Chemistry, Foreign Languages, and Mathematics. **See separate sheet for detailed information on Foreign Language Placement Exam.**

•  When are the Placement Exams given?

The Placement Exams in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Foreign Languages are given on Day One of each Focus Session (Sessions 1-4 in June and Session 5 in August), as well as during the Fall Welcome Session just before classes begin in August.

Students were instructed to take the online French, German, and Spanish Placement Exams at home before arriving for FOCUS. Students who have not already taken the French, German, or Spanish Exam may still do so during the scheduled exam period on Day One. Students who need to take an exam in Chinese, Japanese, or Latin will also do so on Day One.

During each Focus Session, there are two Placement Exam sessions. You will take the Mathematics Placement Exam during one of these sessions and may choose either the Chemistry or one of the other Foreign Languages Placement Exams during the other session.

•  Who needs to take the Chemistry Placement Exam?

All students who will be taking a chemistry course (Chem 111, 115, 121, or 131) at VU should take the Chemistry Placement Exam. This includes students majoring in engineering, nursing, the natural sciences (including environmental science), students in any premedical arts program (pre-med, pre-dent, pre-vet, pre-physical therapy, pre-pharmacy, etc.) and physical education majors, or any other student who is interested in taking a chemistry course.

•  What if I need to take three Placement Exams?

If you need to take the Mathematics and Chemistry Placement Exams, and you haven't yet taken a Foreign Language Placement Exam and need to, you should take two of these Exams at the Focus Session you attend and the remaining Placement Exam at the Fall Welcome Session.

•  Who needs to take the Foreign Language Placement Exam?

Any student who is thinking of studying a language previously studied in high school should take the Foreign Language Placement Exam, regardless of the language requirement for the student's chosen major. These degree programs have a language requirement at VU: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Accounting, and VIEP majors (Valparaiso International Engineering Program in German). Other degree programs include language course(s) as an option to fulfill the Cultural Diversity requirement. Regardless of the reason for taking a language course (requirement or elective credit), students who choose to take a course in a language previously studied must take the exam in that language.

•  Which Placement Exams should I take during the summer Focus Session that I attend?

-- Everyone will take the Mathematics Placement Exam during the summer Focus Session.

-- If you will be taking General Chemistry during the upcoming Fall Semester, you should take the Chemistry Placement Exam during the summer Focus Session. You should then plan to take the Foreign Language Placement Exam on-line during the summer (French, German, or Spanish) or at the Fall Welcome session.

-- If you will not be taking Chemistry during the upcoming Fall Semester, you should take the Foreign Language Placement Exam during the summer Focus Session. You should then plan to take the Chemistry Placement Exam at the Fall Welcome session.

•  How do I know if I need to take Chemistry in the upcoming Fall Semester?

Chemistry majors, environmental science majors, nursing majors, and all premedical arts students mentioned above start chemistry right away during their first semester. Biology majors (other than premedical arts students), physics majors, physical education majors and other majors may wish to wait until later. Any student who is undecided, but is considering chemistry, environmental science, or one of the premedical arts (pre-med, pre-dent, pre-vet, pre-physical therapy, pre-pharmacy, etc.) should take chemistry during their first semester.

•  May I register for a Foreign Language course at summer Focus even if I didn't get a chance to take that Foreign Language Placement Exam?

Yes! Your advisor will help to determine your tentative course placement based on your high school experience. However, you are still required to take the Foreign Language Placement Exam, either online or at Fall Welcome to confirm your placement (or learn that you need to make a change.) If you place into a course that is different from the one you registered for, you should consult with your language professor and make any changes during August drop/add. Your advisor will tell you that it is a good idea to register for a Foreign Language course as soon as possible in your college career.

•  What do I do with the results that I get from the various placement exams?

Although the results of the various placement exams will be recorded in the Office of the Registrar, it is your responsibility to discuss them with your academic advisor on Day Two of FOCUS. Your advisor will assist you in making appropriate choices based on the results of the exam.