TEMPLE UNIVERSITY PLACEMENT TESTING
INFORMATION FOR CURRENT AND NON-MATRICULATED STUDENTS
WHO SHOULD USE THIS DOCUMENT
The information in this document is intended for:
- current students - students who are currently enrolled in a degree seeking program and have already
taken or have started taking courses as part of their program.
- non-matriculated students – students who are not formally enrolled in a degree seeking program but
are taking or are planning to take individual courses at Temple.
This document is not applicable for newly admitted students (incoming freshmen or transfer students).
If you are an incoming freshmen or transfer student, instead refer to the document Placement Testing
Information for Incoming Freshmen and Transfer Students.
INFORMATION ABOUT PLACEMENT TESTING
PURPOSE OF PLACEMENT TESTING
Temple University Placement Tests are designed to help assess mastery of certain basic skills, to point
out particular strengths and weaknesses, and to assist in designing a program of study. Placement Tests
are offered in English, Math, and Foreign Languages.
WHY SOME CURRENT AND NON-MATRICULATED STUDENTS TAKE PLACEMENT TESTS
Even though current students have usually already taken the required placement tests when they were
first admitted, they may need to take (or retake) a placement test later in their academic career. A
current student may change to another program with different requirements, or an advisor may feel the
student should refresh old scores before taking a course, or a student may just change their mind and
decide they want to take a foreign language course while at Temple.
Non-matriculated students may want to take the placement tests just to make sure they register for the
appropriate level English, Math, or Foreign Language course.
SCHEDULING PLACEMENT TESTS
Current and non-matriculated students wanting to take a placement test must first receive written or
electronic permission from their academic advisor or other authorized University administrator before
scheduling a test.
All Placement Tests for current and non-matriculated students are administered in person at the
Institutional Research and Assessment (IRA) office and are by appointment only. To schedule a
placement test, contact the office at 215-204-8611 (Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM) or come to
Room 1200 Carnell Hall (main campus).
THINGS REQUIRED OF STUDENTS ON TEST DAY
When students call to make an appointment, the receptionist gives the student needed information,
including directions. Below are some important reminders for students on test day.
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Arrive on time to the test
Bring your TUid number
Bring your photo ID
Bring permission from your academic advisor or other authorized University administrator
If you are taking the English Placement Exam, bring the topic sheet that you prepared for
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Placement Test accommodations for students with disabilities may require alternate testing dates
and/or times. When students call IRA to schedule a Placement Testing appointment, they must confirm
that IRA has the student’s accommodations letter on file. Otherwise, the student must contact Disability
Resources and Services prior to scheduling an appointment.
HOW DO STUDENTS RECEIVE THE RESULTS OF THEIR PLACEMENT TESTS
Test results are made available to students when they meet with their academic advisor. IRA does not
give test results directly to students.
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PLACEMENT TESTS
ENGLISH PLACEMENT EXAM (60 MINUTES)
The English Placement Exam consists of one written essay. At test time, students choose one of
randomly assigned topics on which to write. Each topic quotes a writer’s position on some issue and
students are asked to explain in their own words what the writer is saying and to take a position on the
writer’s argument. Students are not assessed based on having the “correct” position on an issue, but on
how well the student can explain the writer’s argument and present their own argument in an organized
and grammatically correct essay.
Students should print out and review the topic sheets which are available on our website at:
http://www.temple.edu/ira/exam-services/forms.html
Each topic sheet contains four topics to choose from. To be well prepared, a student should choose one
of the topic sheets and then be ready to write an essay on any of the four topics on that sheet. At test
time, students will be asked to choose one of the two topics randomly assigned by the exam proctor.
Prior to starting the exam, students should print one the topic sheets, read the exam directions carefully
and with these in mind, prepare notes for each topic. This preparation allows students to get to work
immediately once they begin the test because they have given thought to each of the potential topics.
Also available on our website are examples of passing and failing essays.
It is extremely important that the student bring their topic sheet with them when they come to take
the English Placement Test. Exam readers will expect students to refer directly to the ideas in the
prompts and address the specific points presented in the chosen topic. Math Placement Exam (75
minutes)
MATH PLACEMENT EXAM (75 MINUTES)
The Math Placement Exam is a multiple-choice examination containing items that range in difficulty
from arithmetic and algebra to calculus readiness, and include the following:
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Arithmetic operations
Decimals and fractions
Percents and ratios
Linear functions and
equations
Quadratic equations
Polynomials and rational
functions
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Exponents and logarithms
Inequalities and absolute
values
Graphing
Word problems
Trigonometry
Functions and function
operations
Student should review basic arithmetic and algebra skills so that test scores accurately reflect the
student’s ability and enables the advisor to determine the appropriate course. Students may choose to
use the services of an online, in-depth Math review program called MyMathTest
(http://mymathtest.com).
Note: students are not allowed to use calculators during this exam.
The results of the Math Placement Exam are used to help place students in the appropriate math
course. These courses may include:
Math 0701
Math 0702
Gen Ed Quantitative
Courses
Math 1011
Math 1015
Math 1021
Math 1022
Math 1031
Stat 1001
Stat 1102
Math 1041
Elementary Algebra (no credit for College of Science and
Technology students)
Intermediate Algebra (no credit for College of Science and
Technology students)
Critical Reasoning and Problem Solving (0828), Digital
Mapping (0821), Investing for the Future (0822), Math for a
Digital World (0823/0923), Mathematical Patterns
(0824/0924), and Statistics in the News (0826)
College Mathematics
Introduction to Numbers & Figures
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Differential and Integral Calculus
Basic Quantitative Foundations for Business and Economics I
Basic Quantitative Foundations for Business and Economics II
Calculus I
SUGGESTED READINGS FOR REVIEW
Below are some suggested texts for more extensive review:
• Integrated Arithmetic and Algebra, 2nd edition, by Bill E. Jordan and William P. Palow, Addison
Wesley
• College Algebra and Trigonometry, 7th edition, by Raymond A. Barnett, Michael R. Ziegler, and
Karl E. Byleen, McGraw Hill
• College Algebra, 7th edition, by Michael Sullivan, Prentice Hall
• College Algebra and Trigonometry, 7th edition, by Michael Sullivan, Prentice Hall
• College Algebra and Trigonometry - Basics through Pre-Calculus, by John Schiller and Mary
Wurster
Available on the Institutional Research and Assessment (IRA) website
(http://www.temple.edu/ira/exam-services/forms.html) are Math Placement Review Items - This PDF
file contains 37 review items that were developed by the Temple University Mathematics Department to
help specifically identify and review the concepts and skills needed to succeed on the current math
placement exam. The items test the student’s current grasp of important mathematical concepts and
techniques and reflect the core content areas of the current math placement exam. Once the review
items are completed, students can view the Answer Key (also on the IRA website) to determine in which
areas the student needs further review.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE PLACEMENT EXAM (60 MINUTES)
Foreign Language Placement Exams are offered in French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
Each exam is multiple-choice and tests basic skills in Language Usage (choosing the appropriate word or
phrase to complete a sentence) and Reading Comprehension (interpretation of passages written in that
language).
If the student has previously studied another foreign language and wishes to be tested in that language
for a waiver, it may be possible to arrange testing. The Foreign Language Waiver Form and Procedures
for Applying for a Foreign Language Waiver can be found on the Office of the Senior Vice Provost for
Undergraduate Studies website at www.temple.edu/vpus/forms.
LINKS TO OTHER TEMPLE UNIVERSITY SITES OF INTEREST
New Student Orientation (http://www.temple.edu/studentaffairs/orientation)
Undergraduate Bulletin (http://www.temple.edu/bulletin)
University Writing Center (http://www.temple.edu/writingctr)
Math Science Resource Center (http://www.temple.edu/msrc)