Placement Testing
The purpose of placement testing is to assess your current abilities and to determine which courses will be most beneficial to you as you begin your studies at Benedictine University.
All incoming freshman students are required to take placement tests in math. Placement tests in foreign language may be required depending on your chosen major or if you intend to take foreign language classes at Benedictine. All incoming transfer students are required to take the math placement test if they have not already completed a math course in college. If you have AP scores or dual credit, you should still take the placement tests. Before taking any exams, we advise that you prepare.
You will be eligible to take the placement tests three business days (excluding weekends and holidays) from today’s date. The mathematics test takes between 30 and 45 minutes and each foreign language test takes 60 minutes. Ideally, you should complete all of your testing in one sitting; however, you have up to two (2) days to complete them all. Please schedule a block of time accordingly.
Once you have begun your classes here at Benedictine University, you are no longer allowed to take the Math Online Placement test. If classes have begun and you have no current math placement result, please see the Math Learning Specialist in the Academic Support Center.
Please call 630-829-1122 or email [email protected] with questions.
What is the purpose of the Mathematics Placement Exam?
The purpose of the Mathematics Placement Exam is to place a student into the appropriate math course, and to make sure the student has the skills required for that particular course. It is the ‘test of best fit’. The student can choose one of the five tests offered: Basic Algebra, Algebra, Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry and Elementary Functions, and Calculus Readiness. The placement tests can place students in math classes up to, and including, Calculus I.
Who takes the Mathematics Placement Exam?
All incoming student who do not have college math credit from a prior source (e.g. AP, CLEP, or another college or university) take the Mathematics Placement Exam.
Can the Math Placement Score be used to show Proficiency in a particular math course?
No. The math placement tests are for placement purposes only. These tests will NOT be used to show proficiency. Students who wish to establish math proficiency may do so by one of the following:
- The on-campus Math Proficiency Exam or
- An externally administered AP or CLEP exam.
The Academic Support Center will provide several opportunities to complete the Math Proficiency Exam. For additional information, please contact the Center at (630) 829-6041.
What is the exam format?
The questions are multiple-choice. Once the student is done with the test, he/she must click on “Submit Assignment”.
The Placement Exam is designed to be taken without a calculator. Hence, a calculator is NOT to be used during the test. The questions are designed to test knowledge and understanding of algebra, as well as calculation skills, and the test results are most helpful in determining ‘best fit’ when a calculator is NOT used.
The student may choose one of the following five tests. The student should review the list of topics and select the highest test he/she feels comfortable taking. The time allotted for each test varies from 30 to 45 minutes.
1. Basic Algebra The topics covered include:
- Arithmetic of Rational Numbers
- Order of Operations
- Operations with Algebraic Expressions
- Algebraic Fractions
- Exponents and Radicals
- Linear Equations and Inequalities
- Systems of Linear Equations
- Fractional and Quadratic Equations
- Word Problems
- Graphing
Passing this test places the student into MATH 0095 (Intermediate Algebra). If a student does not pass this test, he/she should take remedial coursework at a community college. Please talk to your advisor for other options that may be available to you.
2. Algebra The topics covered include:
- Arithmetic of Rational Numbers
- Operations with Algebraic Expressions
- Linear Equations and Inequalities
- Factoring and Algebraic Fraction
Passing this test places the student into a Basic Skills math course (MATH 1105, 1108, 1110 or 1112). If a student does not pass this test, he/she should take the Basic Algebra Test.
3. Advanced Algebra The topics covered include:
- Arithmetic of Rational Numbers
- Operations with Algebraic Expressions
- Linear Equations and Inequalities
- Factoring and Algebraic Fractions
- Exponents and Radicals
- Graphing
- Fractional and Quadratic Equations and Quadratic Inequalities
- Logarithms
- Functions
- Complex Numbers
- Absolute Value
- Systems of Equations
Passing this test places the student into MATH 1111 (College Trigonometry-QCM), MATH 1115 (Business Calculus – QCM), or MATH 1131 (The Mathematical Universe – QCM). If a student does not pass this test, he/she should take the Algebra Test.
4. Trigonometry and Elementary Functions The topics covered include:
- Definition of Trigonometric Functions
- Right Triangles
- Co-functions
- Evaluation of Special Angles
- Related Angles
- Radian Measure
- Graphing
- Identities
- Laws of Sines and Cosines
- Trigonometric Equations
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions
- Distance
- Straight Line
- Conics
- Functions: Notation, Composition
- Graphs and Their Properties
- Logarithmic and Exponential Functions
- Higher Degree Polynomials
- Absolute Value
- Inequalities
Passing this test with a high score places the student into MATH 2210 (Calculus I– QCM) . Passing this test with a midrange score places the student into MATH 1111 (College Trigonometry – QCM), MATH 1115 (Business Calculus – QCM), MATH 1131 (The Mathematical Universe – QCM), or MATH 1170 (Introduction to Calculus I – QCM). The student should consult his/her adviser to decide which course is appropriate for his/her major. If a student does not pass this test, he/she should take the Advanced Algebra Test.
5. Calculus Readiness The topics covered include:
- Geometry and Measurement
- Graphs of Functions
- Word Problems, Modeling
- Concept Formulation
- Numerical Awareness
- Exponential Functions
- Exponents and Logarithms
- Equations and Factoring
- Functional Notation
- Inequalities, Absolute Value
- Trigonometry
Passing this test places the student into a version of Calculus (either MATH 1115 – QCM, MATH 1170-QCM, or MATH 2210 – QCM) or MATH 1131 (The Mathematical Universe – QCM). The student should consult his/her adviser to decide which course is appropriate for his/her major. If a student does not pass this test, he/she should take the Trigonometry and Elementary Functions test.
Should I prepare for the mathematics placement exam?
Yes! You are strongly encouraged to study before taking this exam, and to take the exam only when you feel rested, not under stress, and have sufficient time to complete the test. The content information is listed with each exam description. Mathematics textbooks can be good study aids. Here are some websites that can also help with your preparation:
- www.math.com – click on “Practice” tab. There is help available in basic math, pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and calculus.
- www.sosmath.com – This is an award-winning site that offers help in algebra, trigonometry, and calculus with links to other math websites, including sites that offer on-line help, tutoring, and other services. This site also offers practice quizzes with complete solutions. This is a GREAT site.
- www.khanacademy.org – Once on the site, click on “Math by Subject” and choose the subject closest to the placement test you are preparing for. This site provides videos, classes, and interactive practice problems that provide hints and/or link to videos for extra help. It is an amazing site and it’s all free of charge!
Overview
The Department of Languages and Literature offers language placement tests to help Benedictine students select the language course that best meets their educational needs and language proficiency exams to verify their level of proficiency in a second language. This page explains the difference between these types of tests, as well as the policies and procedures associated with each.
What language can I study at Benedictine?
The University offers programs in Arabic and Islamic World Studies, Spanish, Medical Spanish, and Spanish for Mental Healthcare. (If you’d like to learn more about any of these programs, contact the chair of the Dept. of Languages and Literature).
Students wishing to study a language not offered at Benedictine can use the University’s consortium agreements with North Central College and Aurora University to take language courses at these institutions. Students who want to take advantage of these agreements must obtain a “Consortium Exchange Course Authorization” form from the Office of the Registrar. Approval of the student’s academic advisor and the University Registrar are necessary before a student may register for a course at the host institution.
What is a language placement test – and should I take one?
Language placement tests are designed to place you into the right language course for your current skill level, thereby enabling you to successfully complete that particular course. These tests may be administered online or by Department faculty.
If you plan to pursue language study during your time at Benedictine, you should probably take a placement test. Some University degree programs, as well as the Scholars Program, also require students to complete language coursework and/or demonstrate proficiency in a second language. Consult with an advisor in your program to learn if you should take a placement test.
- To arrange to take a placement or a proficiency test in Spanish, contact Dr. Rafael Iglesias in the Dept. of Languages and Literature.
- To arrange to take a placement test in Arabic, contact Dr. Latifa Bounou in the Dept. of Languages and Literature.
Note: No University credit will be awarded based on the results of either a placement test or a proficiency exam alone.
What is a language proficiency exam – and should I take one?
Designed to assess the level at which one is able to speak, read, and write a second language, language proficiency exams are closely proctored and more comprehensive and rigorous than placement tests. They are used to establish whether students have reached a proficiency level necessary to satisfy the language requirements of particular programs. Consult with an advisor in your program to learn if you will need to demonstrate proficiency in a second language by taking a proficiency exam.
While the final decision regarding fulfillment of a student’s second language proficiency requirement rests with the student’s program, the Department of Languages and Literature has traditionally helped students in other programs demonstrate oral and writing proficiency in dozens of languages by proctoring proficiency exams arranged through LTI (Language Testing International), a partner of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). For more information, contact Dr. Rafael Iglesias in the Dept. of Languages and Literature.
Note: No University credit will be awarded based on the results of either a placement test or a proficiency exam alone.
I’ve taken some Spanish classes in the past and/or am a Heritage Spanish speaker. Can I take a placement test and receive Spanish course credit?
Benedictine does not award credit on the basis for placement test results alone. However, you can receive up to 9 credit hours of placement credit if you place into SPAN 1102 or higher and you pass the course into which you placed with a grade of “C” or higher. (For instance, if you place into SPAN 2201 and pass that course with at least a C, you can apply to receive credit for the preceding lower-level language courses: SPAN 1101 and SPAN 1102).
Note: a maximum of 9 hours of departmental credit in any one language is allowed per student. If a student places into a language class at the 2202 level or higher and has already received AP, CLEP, or IB credit for 1000-level classes in that language, s/he cannot also receive departmental placement credit for 2000-level courses. Once posted to a student’s transcript, AP, CLEP, and IB credit cannot be removed.
I took an AP/CLEP/IB exam and/or received the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish language. Can I receive credit? Should I take a language placement test?
You may be eligible to receive credit if you have one of the listed credentials. However, in most cases, students planning to major or minor in one of the University’s Spanish programs should not request credit for AP/CLEP/IB exams or the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy, as courses below the 2000-level do NOT fulfill any major or minor requirements in Spanish. Prospective majors and minors may be better served pursuing placement credit, as described above. For more information, and to find out which is the right option for you, contact Dr. Rafael Iglesias in the Dept. of Languages and Literature.
Note: a maximum of 9 hours of departmental credit in any one language is allowed per student. If a student places into a language class at the 2202 level or higher and has already received AP, CLEP, or IB credit for 1000-level classes in that language, s/he cannot also receive departmental placement credit for 2000-level courses. Once posted to a student’s transcript, AP, CLEP, and IB credit cannot be removed.
Register for Online Mathematics Placement Test
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