Placement Exams

As we prepare for your ARCH session, we want to make sure we have all the information needed to facilitate course planning and your transition to the college. One of the things we need is a good idea of what your current level of knowledge is in Mathematics. All incoming students are required to take the Mathematics Placement Assessment before June 1.

The mathematics placement assessment is broken up into a number of sections. All students will take the first section which is 35 multiple choice questions. This test assesses essential skills for success in calculus as well as in our other courses –there is no calculus on this initial section of the math exam. You will have 90 minutes to complete this section of the placement exam. No calculator or other resources are allowed. If you use a calculator or other resources to assist you on the test, you risk inflating your true score and thereby may place yourself into a course for which you are unprepared.

Depending on your score on the initial section you may be directed to take additional section(s) of the exam that will allow us to accurately place you in higher levels of mathematics. The additional sections of the exam will contain calculus questions. Each additional section will contain 15 questions and have a time limit either 45 or 60 minutes. You do not have to take the additional section(s) at the same time as the first section, but please take all section(s) that you are directed to before June 1. When you are ready to begin the Mathematics exam please click here, and choose the OpenID Connect button. You will need to log in with your Wooster username (xstudent29) and password.

Choose Math Placement Exam from the list. The exam may only be taken one time, so please do not follow the link until you are ready to take the exam.

What Does My Mathematics Placement Score Mean?
Upon completion of this assessment, a score will be generated that will determine your math placement. Your Academic Advisor will have access to this information when you meet with them. For some classes, a certain minimum placement score is required before you can enroll. You should talk with an Academic Advisor to help you determine the best mathematics class for you. Your course choices always must take into account your academic plans (i.e., your intended major/program) and your skills and aptitudes. For some students, taking a mathematics class in the first year is critical, while others may choose to fulfill all of their Wooster requirements without taking mathematics. In either case, your Academic Advisors can help you determine what class to take and when.

A Note on Academic Accommodation/Accessibility
The placement exams have been designed to include extended time for students with documented disabilities. If you believe an alternative testing format other than extended time may be necessary, please contact Carly Jones (cjones@wooster.edu) in the Academic Resource Center. If you have general questions about the placement exams, please contact the ARCH staff at arch@wooster.edu.

If you are interested in any of the following majors or career paths, you should take the Chemistry Placement exam before June 1.

• Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Chemical Physics
• Earth Science
• Neuroscience
• Pre-Health (including Nursing, Dental, Public Health, Physicians)

This will help your ARCH Mentors direct you to the correct courses first semester. In order to take the exam you will need:

• A computer, laptop, or tablet (computer or laptop highly recommended)
• Stable internet connection
• 60 minutes of uninterrupted time
• A Periodic table (you can download one here)
• A Calculator
• Pencil & Paper

Once you begin the exam you will have one hour to complete the exam. You should not use any other resources on this exam. You can only take the exam once, so please do not click through until you are ready to begin the test. Choose the OpenID Connect button to log in. You will need to log in with your Wooster user name (xstudent29) and password.

What does the score mean?

Your ARCH Mentors will have access to this information when you meet with them. Based on your score on this exam (as well as the math placement exam) and your interests they will be able to direct you to the most appropriate courses for your first semester.

A Note on Academic Accommodation/Accessibility

The placement exams have been designed to include extended time for students with documented disabilities. If you believe an alternative testing format other than extended time may be necessary, please contact Carly Jones (cjones@wooster.edu) in the Academic Resource Center. If you have general questions about the placement exams, please contact the ARCH staff at arch@wooster.edu.

We are excited that you are joining the College of Wooster and want you to have a smooth transition to college-level academics. To assist your course planning at ARCH, it is important that we get a sense of your current reading abilities.

DreamBox Reading Assessment

The DreamBox reading assessment is a computer-adaptive assessment that will gauge your reading rate, vocabulary range, and reading comprehension. Because it is computer adaptive, the program will automatically adjust length and content to each individual student so additional time is not required for students with disabilities.

Do not use any resources such as dictionaries, translators, or search engines, and do not get help from other people reading aloud, explaining, or answering questions, even if you are a multilingual student or a student with a disability. The assessment is designed to get an accurate picture of your unassisted abilities, and knowing what you can do on your own will allow you to make the best decisions about how to manage your course schedule and academic experience at Wooster.

Equipment Requirements: The assessment works best if you use a laptop or desktop computer to take this assessment; please do not use a phone or tablet.

Time: The assessment takes approximately 45 minutes. Please arrange to take this assessment when you are sure you will have 45  minutes of stable internet connection and uninterrupted time. Your results will be the most accurate if you fully concentrate on the assessment and complete it in one sitting.

This assessment is important for your course planning so please set aside the time to do your best on this assessment.

When the assessment ends, you may simply exit your browser window.

Log in Instructions: When you are ready to begin the Reading Assessment, please click here.

• Select “I’m a Student.”
• Site Code: rpcolle9
• Username: Your Wooster email address
• Password: Wooster2029 (case sensitive, so please use a capital “W”)

If you get locked out

If you are reading at a very quick rate, the program may lock you out until “you talk to the teacher.” If this happens to you, please email Linda Weaver (lweaver@wooster.edu). Give her your name, Wooster email address, and ask her to reset the assessment for you.

What Do the Results of My Reading Assessment Mean?

Your reading assessment results are used to support you as you transition to the College of Wooster.  The results are used to recommend courses that may be a great fit for you and to identify students who may benefit from support options available to first-year students.

If you have questions about your reading assessment results or are interested in using the DreamBox Reading Plus software over the summer to work on your reading skills, please contact the Academic Resource Center.

Your Mindset Matters: Get Started with the Student Success Survey

Your thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs—both conscious and unconscious—play a powerful role in shaping your success in college. The Academic Resource Center (ARC) Student Success Survey is a 60-question assessment designed to help you better understand your learning strategies and attitudes toward education.

All incoming students are required to complete the ARC Student Success Survey by June 1.

Please set aside 20-30 minutes to complete it.

When you’re ready, begin the survey here.

If you have questions or would like support in building strong academic skills, feel free to contact Amber Larson (alarson@wooster.edu).

What is the purpose of the World Languages Placement Assessment? 

• To determine which course is the best starting point for you to continue your language study at The College of Wooster

What if I have never studied a world language?

• You do not need to take a placement assessment.
• You can register for a beginning (10100) course in any language that interests you.

When should I enroll in my first language course? 

• You are strongly encouraged to enroll in the fall semester of your first year. This will afford you ample time should you decide to incorporate world language study into your four-year plan.

Which placement assessment(s) should I take? 

• You should take the assessment in the language or languages that you previously studied or in which you have lived experience. You can take more than one test.
  • Chinese (online)
  • French (online)
  • German (online)
  • Latin (online)
  • Russian (online)
  • Spanish (online)

Can I study a different language than the one I previously studied?

• Yes! You can begin a new language instead of continuing the one you previously studied. You can also take the assessment in as many languages as you like!

When and how should I take the world language placement assessment? 

• You will take it during ARCH before you talk with your advisor about registering for courses. In-person ARCH participants will take the assessment on site. Virtual ARCH participants will be contacted via their Wooster email to take it remotely.

What if I place into 201 or above and do not wish to continue language study at this time? 

• You have fulfilled the College’s language requirement if the assessment was taken in a proctored setting. If not, you will need to take a proctored assessment in the fall semester in order to confirm the outcome. You are strongly encouraged to consider continuing with the language at the indicated level since you have demonstrated an aptitude for it. You are encouraged to talk to the department chairperson to explore possible avenues.

Do I fulfill the language requirement if I grew up speaking a non-English language?

• If you completed high school in an English-speaking country, including the United States, you must complete a language assessment.
• Other students should check their degree audits during ARCH to see if it shows your language requirement as being met.

Why should I study a world language while I’m at Wooster?

• You are required to complete two semesters of language study at the introductory level to fulfill the College’s language requirement.
• Language study is the gateway to understanding other cultures.
• Language study will enrich your other courses of study, including eventually Senior Independent Study.
• Language study can prepare you to study abroad.
• Language study expands your opportunities for internships and research.
• Language skills are highly marketable and an asset in any career.

Students with prior experience in computer science / computer programming and want to continue in that field should take the placement exam. This test normally takes less than 30 minutes to complete and should be completed when you have a quiet location with a strong internet connection. When you are ready, you can click here to take the test.