COLLEGE OF DESIGN PLACEMENT TESTING INSTRUCTIONS
What placement exams are offered at the U of M?
The U of M offers ONLINE placement testing in math (algebra and/or calculus), chemistry, and second language.
What is the purpose of a placement exam?
The purpose of a placement exam is to help you and your adviser determine your level of knowledge in a particular subject. A placement exam is
simply an advising tool that helps you to know what you are ready to register for. A placement exam does NOT give you college credit nor does it
exempt you from a degree requirement.
Are placement exams REQUIRED?
Math Placement Exam: YES (see exception below)
The math placement exam or equivalent knowledge to the exam is required of all incoming College of Design students (see exception below).
Architecture students must take the CALCULUS EXAM or have prior education at that level or higher; all other majors must take the COLLEGE
ALGEBRA EXAM or have prior education at that level or higher.
You are not required to take the exam if you completed or are in the process of completing a college-level class or AP or IB exam that is
equivalent to or higher than the math placement exam required in your major. You should consider taking the math placement exam if you are
concerned about your performance in your college-level class(es) or on your AP or IB exam(s). If you have questions, please email me ASAP at
LGILBERT@umn.edu.
Chemistry Placement Exam: NO (but you can still choose to take it)
A chemistry placement exam is NOT required of CDes students, as CDes degrees do NOT require completion of chemistry to graduate. However,
you can still elect to take a chemistry placement exam if you’d like to continue chemistry study in college, or you need it for some other reason
such as a double major/degree or a minor. The chemistry placement exam is available when you log in to the placement exam Web site (listed at
end of document).
Second Language Entrance Proficiency Exam: NO (but you can still choose to take it)
A second language placement exam is NOT required of CDes students, as CDes degrees do NOT require completion of second language study to
graduate. However, you can still elect to take the language exam if you’d like to continue language study in college. Consult the language
placement Website to determine your eligibility to take the exam, and if you are eligible to take it, follow the instructions on the Website for
doing that: https://langtest.umn.edu/ept.
How do I prepare for an ONLINE PLACEMENT exam?
It IS appropriate to study for a U of M placement test. Get out your high school algebra II (or pre calc/calc for architecture) textbook and review
the material in it. DO NOT USE A CALCULATOR OR ANY OTHER OUTSIDE RESOURCES WHEN YOU TAKE THE TEST. IF YOU DO, YOU ARE HURTING
ONLY YOURSELF, SINCE YOU MAY BE PLACED IN A CLASS AT A LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY FOR WHICH YOU ARE NOT PREPARED.
What is the deadline for the ONLINE PLACEMENT exam?
You MUST complete any CDes ONLINE placement exams by June 24, 2011 in order for us to be ready with the results of your exam(s) at
orientation, where you will register for your fall classes.
How do I take an ONLINE PLACEMENT exam?
Go to http://placement.umn.edu and take the appropriate math exam for your major (remember, arch takes calc and all other CDes majors take
college algebra). You can also choose to take a chemistry and/or language exam. Be aware that the language placement exam is available on
another Web site (see above). Your placement exam results will be used at orientation to determine if you are ready to register for the
appropriate classes in the coming term.
Questions?
Lori Swenson, Associate Program Director, College of Design Student Services, (612) 624-6250, LGILBERT@UMN.EDU