Guidelines for Chemistry C105 Enrollment
Chemistry Placement Examination
Several years ago, the Department of Chemistry instituted a Chemistry Placement
Examination to evaluate the preparedness of students for entry into Chemistry C105. It was
our hope that we could better serve student needs by making the preparation required for
this course more explicit and to ensure that more accurate counseling could be offered to
students. The overall result has improved student progress through the Chemistry C105C106 General Chemistry sequence, to meet the requirements of their majors in a more
timely manner, and foster greater student retention and success.
Prerequisites for Chemistry C105
The minimum prerequisites for enrollment in this course are one year of high school
chemistry and two years of high school algebra.
Who must take this Examination?
All students are required to take this exam unless they have previously enrolled in and
completed the course (at any grade level). Students will only take the Placement Exam once.
Any student with Advanced Placement credit (AP Exam in Chemistry with scores 3 or
higher) does not need to take this examination.
When will the Examination be offered?
The Exam is administered by the campus Testing Services (UN 015 in the Union Building).
Reservations are required and may be made by Orientation Services, 274-4240. Further details
can be obtained by calling the Office of Testing or the Department of Chemistry.
When will the results be provided?
Results will be available to campus counselors and faculty on the campus test results site.
Students will be scored at three levels: pass, marginal pass, or “C101 Recommended”.
How will placement occur?
Students should enroll in the recommended course. Enrollment will be blocked based on
performance on the exam.
If both student and counselor agree that compelling evidence indicates a student should
enroll in C105 in spite of a C101 recommendation, the counselor can enroll the student in
C105. Students will a marginal score can elect to enroll in either C101 or C105 (enrollment
will not be blocked), but should be decided in concert with an advisor. Counselors should
recognize that the number of students obtaining low scores on the Placement Exam and
succeeding with a passing grade in C105 is small.
Will space be available for enrollment into a C101 section if necessary?
Students will be assured of enrollment in a section of C101 if their test results preclude them
from taking C105 (so long as students take the Placement Exam prior to the start of classes).
Is there a charge for this examination?
No, the cost for the examination will be borne by University College and the Department of
Chemistry in the interest of improving student performance in its courses.
Topics on the Examination
Ordinarily students will not need to prepare for the placement examination. Both elementary
algebra skills and fundamental chemistry knowledge will be assessed. If a student desires to
do so, he/she may review materials from their high school chemistry course or materials
from any other comparable course.
Direct any written correspondence to:
Department of Chemistry
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
402 N. Blackford Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3274
(317) 274-6872