Who is required to take the chemistry placement test?
Students majoring in Marine Biology, Biology, Environmental Science, and Chemistry are required to take the chemistry placement test. In addition, undeclared students in the Feinstein College of Arts who are contemplating one or more of these majors should also take the test.
When do students take the chemistry placement test?
The placement test is given on-line. Students can take the test once from their home computer anytime 24/7 during the open access period. The website will go live on April 15th and remain so until Saturday, May 10 at 1 pm (Eastern Time)
Are there any technical requirements for my computer?
Testers must turn off your pop-up blocker for the web-browser that you are using to access the test.
RWU recommends that you use INTERNET EXPLORER or NETSCAPE as your web browser when taking this test. AOL and other browsers have not been stable platforms for this test.
A DSL connection will make the test easier to access, but the test can be taken using a dial-up Internet connection.
Does it cost anything to take the test?
No. The tests are free to students who have paid their tuition deposit to Roger Williams University for the fall semester.
What kind of test is it?
There are 40 questions. The first two questions serve as your registration into the test. Question #1 asks for your student's name in the following format: LAST NAME, FIRST NAME, MIDDLE INITIAL. Question #2 asks for your date of birth.
The remaining questions are multiple-choice.
How does a tester answer multiple-choice questions on-line?
There is a button provided for each choice. Testers use their mouse to click on the correct choice.
What materials can a tester use?
Testers can use their calculator and the periodic table of the elements that is provided on the registration web-link from this page. Testers should have pencil and paper available for scrap work.
Can testers go back and change previous answers while they are still logged into the test?
Yes. Testers can review their work and change their answers anytime before they submit the test.
Can a student take the test more than once?
No. The test is designed for one registration per student.
Can a tester stop the test before he/she is done and go back into it at another time?
No. Testers must complete the test in one sitting. The test is untimed and can normally be completed within 90 minutes. From our past experience, we advise that students allow 2 hours to take the chemistry placement test.
How is the test scored?
A student's score is the number of correct answers made for the multiple-choice questions.
Students will not receive their test score at the end of the test. It will be sent directly to RWU for analysis.
Should s tester guess?
As with any multiple-choice test, if one or more of the choices can be eliminated, guessing is appropriate.
How many questions does a student need to get correct to pass?
Students don’t pass or fail their placement test. The results of the chemistry placement test are used to determine appropriate placement into RWU chemistry sequence. Students should endeavor to get as many correct as possible. It is to their advantage to be placed into the proper level of chemistry so as to make satisfactory progress towards graduation.
When is the deadline for testing?
All on-line testing must be completed by Saturday May 10 at 1pm (Eastern Time).
What if a student does not complete testing by the deadline?
Students who do not complete their testing by the deadline will not be placed into any chemistry course. This will likely delay their timely progress towards graduation.
When do students learn the results of their testing?
When students come to Orientation, they receive their placement results and a schedule of fall courses that includes courses at the correct level.
What if students feel that the result of their testing is not an accurate assessment of their true knowledge of chemistry?
Students will be given an opportunity to retake the on-line placement tests in July, before they return for the fall semester. If their results improve, their schedules will be changed so that they can be enrolled into the appropriate courses. This takes place by August 1 so that they can buy their textbooks for their new courses.
How do students access the test?
Links to the test and the periodic table needed to take the test can be found at Chemistry Placement Test Registration Link .