Academic Placement Testing Step by Step

Cornell College offers a series of placement exams designed to ensure that you begin with the courses that are best for you. All students are REQUIRED to take the placement exams in Language. Exams are also offered in chemistry and music theory. The exams in Language and Chemistry may be taken on-line from home. The Music Theory exam will be offered on campus during NSO.

This guide includes:

1. Instructions about the exams in languages, chemistry, and music theory.
2. Answers to frequently asked questions about the placement exams.

Your quick “step by step” instructions are:

1. Take the exams anytime before August 14. This means that you must complete the exams prior to your arrival at Cornell. Failure to complete these exams prior to New Student Orientation may result in delayed registration. (Music Theory placement exams will occur on campus during NSO).
2. Go to the Moodle Placement Exams. You will need to click "YES" to join the class
3. You will choose the language you intend to take and the chemistry exam (if needed).
4. Make sure you have your Cornell email address and password that were mailed to you. This is different from your admissions log-in that you may have been using to this point.
5. If you have questions please contact the appropriate faculty member listed for the exam (names and contact information are provided in each section).

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use “help” (textbooks, translation dictionary, my mom, etc.) during the placement exam?
No. The placement exams are designed to best fit your coursework with your ability. Using outside resources may increase your score, but not your skill. You would be placed beyond your ability level making the coursework extremely difficult. There is no advantage to using outside resources. Finally, if you attain a score that would place you in a foreign language 301 course you will still have to participate in verification once you arrive on campus in order to receive exemption from the foreign language requirement for the BA.

Should I intentionally "tank" my exam so I can be placed in easier courses?
Absolutely not! If you're bored in a class because it's too easy, you are likely to do worse in the course.  You should always try to place yourself into the course level that is challenging but doable for you.  Do not waste your time taking a course you do not need. There will be many more courses you want to take but will not have time for.

What if I can’t get my log-on to work from home?
Unfortunately, we cannot trouble-shoot technical problems from a distance. We suggest trying a different computer, perhaps the public library or a friend’ s computer.  If the problem persists, you may need to wait until you arrive on campus to take the exam. If that is the case, please send an email to NSO@CornellCollege.edu. We appreciate your effort to take the exam before August 14, but recognize that you have little control over technical difficulties.

When will I know my placement scores?
Your placement will be shared with you during New Student Orientation.

Chemistry

Who should take the chemistry placement exam?
If you plan to study chemistry, biology, or a related field at Cornell, you should take the chemistry placement test. The chemistry department uses this test to place students into CHE 121-122 (Chemical Principles I and II) or CHE 161 (Accelerated General Chemistry), or into CHE 111 (Chemistry in the Natural World) as a refresher. If you scored a 5 on the chemistry AP test, you do not need to take the chemistry placement test; you will receive credit for 161. If you scored a 4, plan to enroll in CHE 161 without taking the placement test. If you scored a 3 or lower (or did not take the chemistry AP test), take the placement test.

If you are interested in taking a single chemistry course as part of your general
education, plan to take CHE 111 (Chemistry in the Natural World) or CHE 108 (Topics in Chemistry) You do not need to take the placement test.

How do I take the Chemistry placement test?
You may take the chemistry placement test before August 14th. You will need a calculator with scientific notation; a graphing calculator may be used but is not necessary. Most students will find it helpful to have a pencil and scratch paper handy.

Chemistry Exam Instructions:

1. Go to the Moodle Placement Exams. You will need to click "YES" to join the class
2. You will need a calculator with scientific notation; a graphing calculator may be used but is not necessary.

Questions about Chemistry Placement
Please contact Professor Cindy Strong at (319) 895-4316 or email her at
cstrong@cornellcollege.edu

Languages

All entering students, including transfer students, who have studied French, German, Latin, Russian, or Spanish must take the Language Placement Test, even if you do not plan to study that language at Cornell. If you wish to continue in a language but feel uncomfortable about starting at the level recommended, consult your advisor. If you are planning to begin a new language you should complete the questionnaire portion of the language only in addition to the language you have previously studied.

1. Go to the Moodle Placement Exams. You will need to click "YES" to join the class
2. Complete the questionnaire for the language exams you are taking or the language course you wish to enroll in.
3. Complete the necessary exams for the languages you have taken and are planning to take at Cornell.

All French, German, Latin, Russian, or Spanish exams will be provided online. All other exams (Japanese, ESL, etc.) will be scheduled during NSO week or within the first few blocks of the academic year.

If I choose to take the recommended course, do I have to take it immediately or in my
first year?
You may take the course at any time during your Cornell career; however, the longer you wait, the more likely it will be that you may forget what you had learned and the more difficult it may be for you to catch up.

What if I don’t do well on the exam or receive a low placement?
Your score and placement will not be recorded on your transcript, nor will your grade point average be affected. You cannot “fail” a placement exam.

Do I receive credit if I pass the language placement test?
No. This test does not award any credit. Only if you place out of 301 will you be eligible to take a test on campus to receive one or two course credits. See the Course Catalogue, “Exemption, Advanced Placement, and Credit by Examination,” item 5. [Note: One course credit is also given for students who have received a score of 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) test.] If you place in 103, you need take only two courses of a foreign language instead of the usual four required of those who begin their language with 101.

What if I’d like to take the exam in two or more languages?
You may take multiple language tests on-line; however, make sure you take the language that you are most likely to continue at Cornell.

What if I don’t want to continue in a language previously studied?
Please take the exam anyway. If you decide at a later date to continue your previously studied foreign language, the exam score will assist in your course placement. Plus, you will satisfy your curiosity and see how you fit in with our program.

Language Placement Exam Instructions:

Questions about Language Placement Exams

Music

If you have a Music Scholarship, and/or if you plan to major or minor in music, you should take the Music Theory Placement Test. This test is used to place students into the Music Theory sequence, or into Fundamentals of Music (MUS 101) as a refresher before beginning the Theory sequence. This exam will be given in 144 Armstrong Hall from 1:00 - 3:00 on Tuesday, August 28, 2012. It may not be completed online in advance.

Questions about Music Theory Placement
To find out more about Music Theory placement, or to schedule a make-up exam, please contact Prof. Jama Stilwell [jstilwell@cornellcollege.edu or (319) 895-4229] or Prof. Don Chamberlain [dchamberlain@cornellcollege.edu or (319) 895-4356].

Ensemble and Studio Lesson Interest

The large ensembles and their course numbers from which you may choose are as follows:

Studio lessons are taught once per week for thirty minutes.  Your studio time is arranged directly with the instructor on the first day of classes.  These studios have a limited enrollment and it is advised that you register for these courses early.  The course numbers for these are as follows: 

You may indicate your interest in any of these courses now by submitting the information requested below.  Then, on the first Monday of Term 1 [September 3], come to Armstrong Hall to actually register for them, meet your instructor(s), and schedule your lessons.  If you have any questions over the summer, please contact Dr. James Martin, Chair of the Department of Music, at 319-895-4276 or at JMartin@cornellcollege.edu.