Math and Foreign Language Placement Tests
Information on Math & Foreign Language Placement Tests.
The Department of Modern and Classical Languages welcomes you to Assumption University. Please read on for important information about the foreign language placement test.
All students at Assumption must take either one language course at placement level or two courses in a new language as part of the core curriculum. We currently offer classes in French, Italian, Latin, and Spanish. To place you with other students at a similar level, you must take the placement exam if you meet one of these criteria:
- You have studied French, Spanish, or Italian in high school or earlier
- You took or will take an AP exam in a foreign language.
- You are a heritage or native speaker of Spanish, French, or Italian
- You have some other experience with one of these languages.
Taking the language placement test is not optional if you meet one or more of these criteria. Take the exam for the language that you have studied in school or that you speak or hear at home, even if you are not sure that you will continue with the same language. You still can decide to learn a new language.
If you have studied German, Russian, or Mandarin, you may take the test for placement and will have to take the language with one of the Worcester Consortium Colleges, or you can study Spanish, French, Italian or Latin at Assumption.
If you have studied Latin or a language in high school or college other than those listed above, we will place you according to the information on your transcript(s).
If you have college credit for language study at a previous institution or receive Assumption credit through an AP test, take the placement test. We will make adjustments once that credit is received and you will be placed at the subsequent level in case you wish to continue study of it.
The placement exam takes about 20 minutes. In order to achieve the most appropriate placement consistent with your language level, you should complete the placement examination to the best of your ability, without the use of textbooks, dictionaries, or any other type of assistance. Take the placement examination as soon as possible so that your advisor has a placement and can approve the appropriate course.
1. After opening the link, follow the directions to register. You will be asked for your name, an Assumption University ID number, an email address and a password of your choosing.
2. Select the language. The rest of the instructions are given at the exam site.
For additional information about the exam, see the “Frequently Asked Questions” below.
The Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures reserves the right to change your placement if we believe you have not been placed at the appropriate level. Please note that academic advisors cannot approve a different course level or make an initial placement. You also may not place yourself into a course lower or higher than where you tested. If you feel you have been misplaced on the basis of the placement test, you should consult with the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures.
We recommend that you register for a foreign language course as soon as possible to reflect your current abilities—and before you forget the language skills you acquired in high school or college.
If you have questions not answered by the FAQ (below), please contact Professor Maryanne Leone, Chair, Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures.
Sincerely yours,
Maryanne L. Leone, Ph.D
Chair, Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures Assumption University
500 Salisbury Street
Worcester, MA 01609-1296
Math Placement Test for First Year and Transfer Students
The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science welcomes you to Assumption University! In order to take a mathematics course at Assumption, or any other math-related course such as Statistics or Microeconomics, you must take the online placement test. Every student must take a math course to fulfill the Core Curriculum requirement.
The placement exam takes 25 minutes and times out automatically regardless of where you are in the test. Plan to take the test in one sitting without interruptions or distractions, You many use any computer, but it should have a reliable internet connections. If you lose your internet connection, you will not be able to re-enter the test. Email Beth Peterson in IT at b.peterson@assumption.edu if you encounter technical difficulties.
Remember, this is NOT a test in the normal sense; it simply places you at a level appropriate to your skills and knowledge. To achieve the most appropriate placement consistent with your level of mathematics education and ability, you should complete the placement examination to the best of your ability, without the use of textbooks, calculators, or any other type of assistance. Use pencil and paper for calculations. If you do not recognize a topic or do not know how to answer a question, just skip it. DO NOT RANDOMLY GUESS AS IT CAN LOWER OR INFLATE YOUR PLACEMENT.
At the prompt, enter your official Assumption username and password.
The rest of the instructions are given at the exam site. You will be able to view your placement results by clicking on the "Exam Results" link in the Brightspace course after taking the exam.
The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science reserves the right to change your placement if we believe you have not been placed at the appropriate level. Also, if you feel you have been misplaced on the basis of the placement test, you should consult with the Department. You may not place yourself into a course lower or higher than where you tested without the permission of the Department. You will not be able to register for a math class without a placement.
We recommend that you register for a mathematics course as soon as possible after taking the placement exam so that it reflects your current abilities—and before you forget the skills you acquired in high school.
If you have questions, please contact Professor Jessica McCready, Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I have to take the Placement Exam?
Yes, if you have studied French, Spanish, or Italian in high school, you must take the Placement Exam.What do I do if I studied a language other than French, Spanish, or Italian?
Take the placement test if you have studied German, Russian or Mandarin, and we will note your placement in case you want to take that language at another university, including in the Worcester Consortium of Colleges.What do I do if I have studied a language for which there is no placement test?
Do not take a placement test. If you have taken a different language, you will be placed at an appropriate level for that language by members of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages according to your high school or college record. You may opt to start a new language or continue your language of study thought the Worcester College Consortium courses if offered.How many times can I take the Placement Exam?
You will normally take the exam only once, unless asked to retake it by the Department. If you need to resume a test due to an internet interruption, please do not click "Start exam from scratch," click “Resume.” If you take the exam but do not register for a foreign language course until several years later (which is not advisable but occasionally happens), you will be asked to retake the exam, since your language proficiency will change over time.How long does the Placement Exam take?
About 20 minutes.When should I take the exam?
As soon as possible. You must take it before meeting with an academic advisor in order to be placed in an appropriate course.What do I type as my email address?
Your username is your Houndmail email address.When do I find out the results of the Placement Exam?
Immediately following the exam your score will be shown automatically. If you are taking the exam during the academic year, you are advised to take a screenshot to send to the chairperson of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures.I didn't get my Placement Exam results. What do I do?
If you complete the exam, the score should appear at the end. You can also go back to the exam screen, enter your information EXACTLY as you did when you first took the exam, and click Resume. Your final score will show here. The Department will receive it in time for Orientation and will keep a record.What if I don't understand my placement result?
Contact the Chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages & Cultures, Professor Maryanne Leone.I placed into a course that is either too difficult or too easy for me. What should I do?
Contact the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures before registering for a course. WebAdvisor is linked with placement scores, so it will not allow you to register for a course that does not coincide with your placement. Changes in placement require authorization from the department and then re-entering by the Registrar’s Office.Do I need to call the Department before I register for the course that the Placement Exam indicates?
No, unless you have any questions.The section of the language course I'd like to take (or that fits in my schedule) is full. What should I do?
You will probably be able to rearrange your schedule so that you can register for another section of the same course.Do I receive credit for taking the Exam?
No, the Placement Exam is only for placement in the appropriate language courses.If I took the AP test in a foreign language, should I take the Placement Exam?
Yes, take the exam since there often is a delay in receiving the AP score. Make sure that you have your AP scores sent to the Registrar’s Office for proper awarding of credit. We can’t award credit without official scores. Depending on your AP score and level of placement, you may decide to take the course indicated by the Placement Exam instead of accepting AP credit.If I'm bilingual or a native speaker of Spanish or another language for which you offer a placement test, do I have to take the Placement Exam?
Yes.
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Do I have to take the Placement Exam?
Yes, in order to take a mathematics course at Assumption, you must take the Placement Exam unless you are transferring in credit for a math class from another college or university.
Why do I have to take the Placement Exam?
The test helps us to assess both the level of material you have seen and the extent to which you retained what you learned. It is important that you give an accurate portrayal of your abilities without the use of any outside assistance, including calculators. If there is a topic you do not recognize, just skip the question; don¹t guess. Placing below your appropriate level may mean you will be bored and be required to take more math classes to meet our minimum standard. Placing at too high a level may mean you will struggle to succeed.
How many times can I take the Placement Exam?
You will take the exam only once, unless asked to retake it by the Department.
How long does the Placement Exam take?
You will have 25 minutes to complete the test. The test times out automatically after 25 minutes, and your placement will be based on whatever your score is at that point. So it¹s important to set aside 25 minutes and do the exam in one sitting without distractions. You cannot pause and finish the exam later.
When should I take the exam?
You should complete the placement test as soon as possible in order to be placed into a course at an appropriate level during your advising session. You will not be able to register for a mathematics class until you have taken the Placement Exam.
How do I access the exam?
Go to the Assumption main homepage and click on “Information for Current Undergraduate Students” (top of page). The scroll down and click the link to “Brightspace.” Enter your official Assumption username and password.
When do I find out the results of the Placement Exam?
You will be able to view your placement results by clicking on the "Exam Results" link in the Brightspace course after taking the exam.
Your advisor can explain your placement and how the course fulfills requirements for the core or major.
I placed into a course that is too easy for me. What should I do?
WebAdvisor is linked with placement scores and it will allow you to register only for the course that coincides with your placement. If you placed into MAT 111, you must contact the Chair of the Department of Mathematics for permission to take any other course.
I placed into a course that is too difficult for me. What should I do?
Contact the Chair of the Department of Mathematics before registering for a course. WebAdvisor is linked with placement scores, so it will not allow you to register for a course lower than your placement.
The section of the math course I'd like to take (or that fits in my schedule) is full. What should I do?
You will probably be able to rearrange your schedule so that you can register for another section of the same course. You can also opt to be placed on the waitlist for the course. You can also opt to take math in a later semester, though sooner is definitely better.Do I receive credit for taking the Exam?
No, the Placement Exam is only for placement in the appropriate mathematics courses.
If I took the AP Calculus, should I take the Placement Exam?
Depending on your AP score and level of placement, you may decide to take the course indicated by the Placement Exam instead of accepting your AP credit. Make sure that you have your AP scores sent to the Office of the Registrar, and you can discuss your options with your advisor.
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