Online Placement Testing

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

The Department offers both language placement tests and language proficiency exams to help Benedictine students select the language course that best meets their educational needs and/or 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.

• • Placement tests vs. proficiency exams
  • Demonstrating proficiency in Arabic, Chinese, or Spanish
  • Demonstrating proficiency in languages not taught at Benedictine

Language placement tests allow academic advisors to identify a language course offered at Benedictine in which a student is most likely to succeed, given his/her current level of proficiency. These tests are administered online via Emmersion or by a member of the Department’s language faculty

In contrast, language proficiency examinations are closely proctored, more comprehensive and rigorous than placement tests, and designed to determine whether students have reached the proficiency level necessary to satisfy the language requirement of their respective program. Candidates for the B.A. degree in some programs (e.g., English Language and Literature, History, Music, Philosophy, and Writing & Publishing) are required to demonstrate proficiency in a second language by successfully completing at least one language course at or above the 2202 level. Students in the Scholars Program are required to demonstrate the ability to speak, read, and write a second language at a level equivalent to six semesters of university study (completion of the 2211 and 2212 courses or equivalent in a single language).

A placement test is required for students who have taken any Arabic, Chinese, or Spanish in high school. A placement test is also required for students who have acquired a level of proficiency in Arabic, Chinese, or Spanish in a non-classroom setting (e.g., native speakers, home use of the language, or study abroad) and for those students who have a lapse of a year or more in their language studies.

Students who place into ARBC 102, CHIN 102, or SPAN 102 or above by taking a Benedictine University placement test AND who complete at least one Benedictine course in that language above the 101 level (with a grade of “C” or higher) may petition to receive proficiency credit through the Department. These students should submit a Petition for External Credit form, along with a copy of their unofficial Benedictine transcript. See the “Important Notes” above for caveats and limitations on the awarding of proficiency credit through the Department.

For more information about language placement testing, or to arrange to take a test, contact the department chair.

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.

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 or assistance in setting up a language proficiency test through LTI, please contact Dr. Beth Ransdell Vinkler. For more information about language proficiency testing procedures, please contact the Chair of the Department.

• No University credit is awarded based on the results of either a placement test or a proficiency exam alone.
• 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.
• Courses below the 2000-level do NOT fulfill any major or minor requirements in Spanish. The Department strongly recommends that students consult the Chair of the Department before posting any AP, CLEP, or IB credit in a language.