Some Penn State World Campus English, mathematics, and chemistry courses have prerequisites. If you have not completed the prerequisite course at Penn State (or an equivalent course through another school), you will be required to take the appropriate placement test.
Placement tests are administered online. Please visit the Penn State Online Placement Testing site for more information. To request access to a placement test, complete the Request for Online Placement Exams form (Adobe PDF — 60K) and submit it to us by fax or postal mail.
Penn State does not charge for placement tests. You will be notified of your results by e-mail in 3 business days.
English Placement Test information
Mathematics Placement Test information
Chemistry Placement Test information
English Placement Test
This test is required for all new Penn State students (except advanced-standing students who already have credit for ENGL 015 or its equivalent) to determine their proper starting level. If your test score indicates a substantial weakness, you will be required to enroll in ENGL 004 (Basic Writing Skills), which must be successfully completed as a prerequisite for ENGL 015 (Rhetoric and Composition). If your score is satisfactory, you may enroll directly in ENGL 015.
During this test, your competence in the following areas of English usage will be measured: spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, grammar, and diction.
English Test Topics
- Spelling: You will be asked to identify misspellings in groups of words.
- Vocabulary: You will be asked to identify synonyms and antonyms.
- Punctuation: You will be asked to identify inaccurate punctuation, such as the omission of required punctuation, punctuation where none should be, or the use of the wrong punctuation mark.
- Grammar and Diction: You will be asked to evaluate the correctness of the grammar and diction of parts of sentences.
Mathematics Placement Test
This test measures knowledge of various algebra and trigonometry topics. The results of the test will determine at what level of mathematics you should begin your study. We realize that you may not have covered all of these topics in high school or may not have used the concepts recently. If you are not currently taking algebra or trigonometry, we strongly suggest that you look over the topics listed below and identify those you need to review for the placement test. Don't be too concerned if you are not familiar or current in your knowledge of all of these topics. If you are interested in testing your knowledge of these topics using sample questions, click here.
The Department of Mathematics offers two versions of the mathematics test—one requiring the use of a calculator and one that does not. You can choose either version of the test. For the calculator version, you may use any four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator. You may not use hand-held minicomputers (such as Blackberry devices), pocket organizer, laptop computer, calculators with paper tape or printers, or any calculator with a standard (QWERTY) keyboard. Calculators will not be provided to students who want to take the calculator version.
If you need or want to take MATH 004, MATH 021, MATH 022, MATH 110, or MATH 140, you will be required to either take the placement exam or demonstrate fulfillment of the respective course prerequisite before registering for these courses. Visit the course catalog to search for the courses that interest you.
Mathematics Test Topics
—arithmetic of integers, rational numbers, and decimals
—ratio, proportion, and averaging
—areas, perimeters, and volumes
—operations with algebraic expressions
—linear equations and inequalities
—factoring and algebraic fractions
—exponents and radicals
—graphing
—fractional equations
—quadratic equations and inequalities
—logarithmic and exponential functions
—functions
—complex numbers
—absolute values
—systems of equations
—word problems
—equations of lines
—distance and area
—concept formation
—definition of trigonometric functions
—right triangles
—evaluation of special angles
—related angles
—radian measure
—graphing of trigonometric functions
—trigonometric identities
—laws of sines and cosines
—trigonometric equations
—inverse trigonometric functions
Chemistry Placement Test
This test measures your knowledge of various areas of chemistry, and must be completed prior to registering for CHEM 012. The results of the chemistry test are combined with the results of the mathematics test to determine at what level of chemistry you need to begin. We realize that you may not have covered all of these topics in high school or may not have used the concepts recently. We strongly suggest that you review the chemistry test topics (and the mathematics test topics that are a part of the chemistry exam) before requesting the exam. You may not use a calculator for this test.
Chemistry Test Topics
—simple atomic structure (atomic number and atomic weight)
—nomenclature of common elements and compounds
—the meaning of formulae (empirical and molecular)
—equation balancing (non-redox type)
—simple stoichiometry (percentage composition, weight-weight calculations in a reaction)
—the mole concept (gram-mole conversions)
—gas laws (Boyle's and Charles')
