Placement Exams
You may need to take placement exams in order to register for English, Math, Physics, and Foreign Language courses. General guidelines for taking a placement exam are as follows:
- New students are automatically registered to take applicable placement exams when registering for Orientation (regardless of whether orientation is on campus or online). The specific placement exams you must take are determined by a combination of your selected major, your standardized test scores, and/or previous college coursework you have transferred to UM-Flint. After registering for Orientation, you can access your exams in Canvas.
- For all other instances, access to placement exams must be requested by contacting the Student Success Center.
- If possible, take your placement exams no later than two weeks before your orientation and/or advising appointment. This allows sufficient time to have the results entered into the system before you register for courses and for your advisor to review your results.
- Please note that not every student requires the same set of placement exams; in some situations, no exams are required.
- Unless otherwise specified, your placement exam results will be automatically transferred to the Student Profile approximately 24 hours after you complete the exam. After logging into SIS, select “Student Services,” then “Student Records,” and then “Student Profile.” On the “Student Profile” screen, select “Prior Education and Testing” to view your results.
Click below to learn more about each type of placement exam.
Math Placement Exam
What is this exam for?
- If taken as directed, this exam is an instrument in determining the math course level at which you should begin.
- You cannot earn actual academic credit for a math course at UM-Flint by taking this exam. This means that if you place into a course that has prerequisites, those prerequisite courses will not show up on your transcript.
Who should take the Math Placement Exam?
- If you are a first-year student, you should take the math placement exam unless:
- You have credit for a calculus class attained by satisfactorily passing the AP Exam (received a score of 3 or higher on either the Calculus AB or Calculus BC test) or by dual enrollment in a calculus class. Note: Students who have taken the AP exam but have not yet received the score, or did not earn a 3, WILL need to complete the placement exam.
- You are a Grand Blanc High School student who took college algebra in high school and attained at least 80% in your final examination. GBHS sends a list of these students to the Department; an administrative assistant will be allowed to override prerequisites to enable you to enroll in MTH 120 (Pre-Calculus).
- You are a Genesee Early College student who has taken a UM-Flint math course. GEC sends a list of these students to the Department with recommendations for courses in which the student should enroll. An administrative assistant will be allowed to override prerequisites to enable you to enroll in the respective course. Note: Genesee Early College students who want to take the math placement exam should be referred to GEC.
- If you are a transfer student, you should take the math placement exam if you have not transferred in a math course. So, you do not need to take the exam if you have transferred in the equivalent of any of these UM-Flint courses: MTH 105, 109, 111, 120, 121, 122, or above.
- If you are a current UM-Flint student, you should take the math placement exam if you have not enrolled in or completed a UM-Flint math course within the last three years.
- Non-academic students (including those in the English Language Program-ELP) do not need to take the placement test.
What does this exam consist of?
The exam is taken on a computer, consisting of up to four sections of ten problems each, with the material getting progressively more difficult, from arithmetic up through calculus. Hitting a certain threshold on each section will unlock the next section. You can stop at any time, and should do so if the material looks unfamiliar. Remember that the goal is to place you as accurately as possible – placing into courses that are either too easy or too advanced both have disadvantages.
Should I study for the exam?
There is no need to cram in order to try to raise your score, but it never hurts to brush up on the material from your previous math course. If it has been a long time since your previous math courses, and you feel like your current math fluency is significantly below what it would be after you jogged your memory on some key topics, doing so would probably give a better assessment of where you should be placed.
How long does it take?
There are four sections. Each one should ideally take no more than half an hour, although there is no official time limit on each assignment. It may be best to set aside around two hours for the placement exam, and must be completed on the same day. In practice it will often take much much less time.
How is it scored?
Results will be transferred to the Student Information System after completion. Math placement scores can result in placement into different levels:
- MTH 105: Liberal Arts Mathematics
- MTH 109/111: College Algebra. MTH 109 and MTH 111 have the same placement level
- MTH 118: Calculus for Management and Social Sciences
- MTH 120: Pre-Calculus
- MTH 121: Calculus I
Can I retake this exam?
Yes. If a student feels strongly that they have been incorrectly placed, they are allowed one retake of the test at least 30 days after the completion of the prior test. The retake MUST be scheduled through contacting the Student Success Center at [email protected].
Writing Placement Exam
What is meant by “Writing Placement?”
A writing placement result is to determine if students need ENG 109 “College Writing Workshop” prior to their first year writing and COMP sequence of ENG 111, and ENG 112, COM 200 or COM 210 (see information on the Reading placement exam, as the COMP requirement also has a reading prerequisite).
Every student needs to have a score for this exam or the equivalent to a score for this exam through direct placement via AP credit, CLEP credit, transfer credit, or Standardized Test score prior to registering. Without confirmation of placement, students will not be able to register for their first year writing courses.
In the absence of a standardized test score, students can take the Writing Placement Exam on Canvas to determine placement. However, some criteria will activate a direct placement for a writing course and make the Writing Placement Exam unnecessary. Students directly placed are still required to register for the appropriate class for their program with the help of their academic advisor.
NOTE: International students should take this Writing Placement Exam.
If you have any of the following, writing placement is automatic and you do not have to complete the Writing Placement Exam:
- Transfer credit for ENG 111 or ENG 112. If you have transferred credits for either of these courses, you can have the Writing Placement Exam waived. Please work with an advisor to register for the appropriate course.
- Standardized test scores for direct placement:
- ACT Composite score of 19 or higher,
- SAT Writing score of 25 or higher (new test scoring, eff. Spring 2022),
- SAT Total score of 1000 or higher (new test scoring, eff. Spring 2022),
If you have test scores meeting or surpassing these, you earn an automatic placement score and are eligible to register for ENG 111. Note that ENG 100 may still be required. If you are required to take ENG 100, you cannot take ENG 112, COM 200, or COM 210 in the writing/COMP sequence until you have completed the reading requirement.
What is the Writing Placement Exam?
The exam asks students to write an essay of approximately 500 words in length that addresses one of two randomized prompts. Students should make sure they read all of the directions and understand all rules before entering the test and completing the pre-test questionnaire. If a student is suspected of not following exam rules, a student may be requested to retake the Writing Placement Exam.
How is it administered?
The exam is available online via Canvas. It can be completed online off campus or at the Student Success Center.
How long does it take?
There is no time limit. Students are permitted to save and revise as many times as they like before submitting the essay for evaluation. Ideally, please plan to complete the essay at least two weeks prior to the orientation date or before registering for classes.
How is it scored?
The English Department scores each exam. The score and recommended writing course placement will be available in SIS (Student Services> Student Records> View Placement Exam Results) once at least two readers from the Writing Program have read and evaluated the exam. Possible placements:
- ENG 109
- ENG 111
- ENG 112
Can I retake this exam?
Yes, but only under circumstances that warrant a retest, such as technical error, computer failure, etc. Contact the Student Success Center to request a test reset in Canvas.
What else do I need to know?
Please remember that different placement exams are needed for writing and reading. All students need to complete ENG 111 and ENG 112, COM 200, or COM 210 or their equivalents for their Writing/COMP requirements. Based on writing placement, some students will be required to also complete ENG 109. Based on reading placement, some students will be required to complete ENG 100.
Reading Placement Exam
What is this exam for?
To see if a waiver can be granted for ENG 100 “College Reading and Learning Strategies.” ENG 100 is the reading prerequisite for ENG 112, COM 200, and COM 210 (Note: ENG 111 is the writing prerequisite for ENG 112). In most cases, the requirement to take ENG 100 is determined automatically by a standardized test score such as ACT or SAT. The Reading Placement exam can be used to override or confirm placement. Importantly, without taking or placing out of ENG 100, you will not be eligible to take ENG 112, COM 200, or COM 210, one of which is a general education requirement for a degree.
Who should take this exam?
Students who don’t have an ACT or SAT Reading score that has already determined if ENG 100 is required or waived (see below).
- Students with a 18 or lower ACT Reading score are required to take ENG 100
- Students with a 20 or lower SAT Reading score (S13) are required to take ENG 100
- Students with lower than 480 SAT Reading and Writing Score (S11) are required to take ENG 100
International students who have taken the Writing Placement Exam and placed directly into ENG 111
Students who have already placed into ENG 100 but want a second opportunity to place out of ENG 100
What does the exam consist of?
It is composed of reading passages and answering 70 multiple-choice questions.
How is it administered?
The exam is administered online via Canvas. If you do not have access, contact the Student Success Center.
How long does it take?
You will have 45 minutes to complete it.
How is it scored?
The exam is scored immediately. Possible placement results that will appear in SIS:
“Reading: ENG 100 not required”
“Reading placement into ENG 100”
Note: Ignore the actual score listed in SIS; that is a placement code used by the system, not your specific score.
Can I retake this exam?
It can be retaken once. Contact the Student Success Center for access on a second attempt.
Physics Placement Exam
What is this exam for?
To determine which physics course a student should begin with.
Who should take this exam?
A student majoring in a program that requires completion of one or more courses in physics.
What does it consist of?
The exam consists of three parts. All parts need to be completed for the exam to be scored.
- Part 1: 30 questions, multiple choice.
- Part 2: 12 questions, multiple choice.
- Part 3: 12 questions, multiple choice.
How is it administered?
This exam is automatically available online only for new students in applicable majors. For other students, access to the exam must be requested by contacting the Student Success Center at [email protected].
How long does it take?
The exam is timed for one hour.
How is it scored?
Scores are generated immediately following completion of the exam. Physics placement scores can result in eligibility to register for one or more of the following levels:
- PHY 110: Conceptual Physics by Inquiry Method
- PHY 143: College Physics I
- PHY 243: Principles of Physics I
Can I retake this exam?
No retakes are allowed.
Department contact information:
Computer Science, Engineering and Physics
207 Murchie Science Building
810-766-6733
Note: If it is not already in their Canvas menu, students wishing to take the physics exam should contact the Student Success Center.
Foreign Language Placement Exam
What is this exam for?
To determine foreign language placement
Who should take this exam?
- Based on your foreign language background, the department will determine if you need to take the placement exam.
- All Bachelor of Arts degrees require successful completion of a foreign language.
- Most Bachelor of Science degrees, all Business degrees, Applied Science degrees and Nursing degrees do not require a foreign language.
- A Foreign Language placement test should be considered only if the student feels that there are special circumstances that make the placement guidelines inappropriate, e.g., if there has been a lapse of more than two years since the language was last studied or if they wish to take a course higher than that indicated by the guidelines.
- Students must take the placement test if they meet both of the following conditions:
- They wish to meet the Area Option (requirement) in Foreign Languages solely with courses taken in high school or at other colleges, and
- they do not wish to take courses beyond French, German, or Spanish 112.
You DON’T need to take this placement exam if:
- You have already done college-level work in French, German or Spanish at the University of Michigan-Flint.
- You have enrolled at some time in a basic language course at UM-Flint
- You are a non-degree student (including those in the ELP program)
Please note that in special cases it is possible to make exceptions. Contact the Chair of the Foreign Languages department.
How is it administered?
It is administered at the Foreign Languages Department.
Contact the Foreign Languages Department for further information on the composition, scoring, and other details regarding the exam.
Department contact information:
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
326 French Hall
810-762-3370
International Writing Placement Exam
What is meant by “International Writing Placement?”
Why “international”? The Writing Placement Exam is for domestic students. International students will take the International Writing Placement Exam (IWPX). The difference is that the international version includes a short reading and is timed.
What is “writing placement”? A writing placement result is to determine if you need LIN 101 “Academic Skills for Non-Native English Writers” and/or LIN 102 “Advanced Academic Skills for Non-Native English Writers” prior to your first year writing sequence of ENG 111 and ENG 112.
Every student needs to have a score for this exam or the equivalent to a score for this exam. Without a placement score, you will not be able to register for first year writing courses.
You may also need to take the Reading placement exam if you are not placed into LIN 101 or 102.
If you have any of the following, your writing placement is automatic and you do not have to complete the International Writing Placement Exam:
- Transfer credit for ENG 112: you have already completed the first year writing sequence and do not need to register for first year writing courses. (Note that some programs require ENG 112 grades above a C, and may therefore require that you retake ENG 112.)
- Transfer credit (or the equivalent through AP or CLEP) for ENG 111 and waiver of ENG 100 (see English Reading placement): you are automatically eligible to register for ENG 112.
- Standardized test scores for direct placement:
- ACT Composite score of 19 or higher,
- SAT Writing score of 25 or higher (new test scoring, eff. Spring 2022),
- SAT Total score of 1000 or higher (new test scoring, eff. Spring 2022),
If you have test scores meeting or surpassing these, you are automatically eligible to register for ENG 111. Note that ENG 100 may still be required (see the Reading Placement Exam).
If you are not seeking a degree or are a visiting or exchange student you do not have to take this placement exam. However, if you want to enroll in ENG 111 or ENG 112 you should take the IWPX to see which class is best for you.
All other students must take the WPX or IWPX as appropriate to earn a writing placement.
Even if you are directly placed, it may be in your best interest to complete the Writing Placement Exam if…
- You earned lower than a “B” grade (3.0) in either ENG 111 or ENG 112 or their equivalent at another college. Your IWPX placement score could help you feel more confident in your readiness.
- You have credit for either ENG 111 or 112 or both, but that credit is from more than five years ago. Your IWPX placement score might identify if you need to brush up on skills.
- You have credit for ENG 111 or 112, but still lack confidence in your academic writing abilities. Your IWPX placement score will alert you to what our faculty readers think, and help you consider the need for additional academic support services.
What does the Writing Placement Exam consist of?
Reading a short article and responding to a prompt in the form of an essay. Make sure you read all of the directions before entering the test. You will be required to complete the pre-test questionnaire.
How is it administered?
The exam is available online via Canvas. You can take it online off campus or at the Student Success Center. It requires that you download Respondus Lockdown Browser.
How long does it take?
You will have 2 hours to complete the exam.
How is it scored?
The English Department scores each exam. Your score and your writing course placement will be available in SIS (Student Services> Student Records> View Placement Exam Results). Possible placements:
- LIN 101
- LIN 102
- ENG 111
Can I retake this exam?
Typically no. You may only retake under circumstances that warrant a retest such as technical error, computer failure, etc. Contact the Student Success Center to request a reset of your test in Canvas.
What else do I need to know?
Please remember that different placement exams are needed for writing and reading. All students need to complete ENG 111 and ENG 112 or their equivalents. Based on writing placement, some students will be required to also complete ENG 109, LIN 101 and/or LIN 102. Based on reading placement, some students will be required to complete ENG 100. ENG 112, a requirement for graduation, has both writing and reading prerequisites. Writing placement determines where in the writing sequence you should begin. Reading placement determines if ENG 100 is required before you take ENG 112.