Placement test scores are used by academic advisors to place students into appropriate level course work. Loyola offers two categories of placement tests: optional and required.
Optional:
- Foreign Languages (Spanish, French, German)
- Classical Languages (Greek, Latin)
- History
Students may elect to sit for a Foreign Language exam if they have had two or more years of a foreign language and wish to continue with that language; academic advisors use these scores to place you in an appropriate course level (e.g. Language 201 v. 101). Students may elect to sit for a History exam if they have had an exceptionally strong background in both ancient and modern world civilization; academic advisors may award course credit based on the score.
Required:
- English
- Math (transfer students only)
The university may require some students to sit for an English placement exam based on their ACT/SAT scores. The university may require some transfer students to sit for the Math placement exam. Academic advisors use these scores to place students into an appropriate course level. The university will notify students prior to orientation if they must sit for these exams; students who are not notified may not sit for English or Math placement.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE / CLASSICAL LANGUAGE TESTS
Register for Foreign Language/Classical Language Placement if:
You are a first year or transfer student who has studied two or more years of a foreign language (French, Spanish, German) or a classical language (Latin, Greek) and you wish to continue with that language. If you wish to begin a new language, you do not need to take a foreign language placement test.
How does my advisor know how to place me?
On the basis of these tests, students may be exempted from the language requirement or placed in an appropriate level course for continued study. No credit is awarded for performance on placement tests. A score of 4 or 5 on a CEEB Advance Placement exam fulfills the requirement and gives credit for a 201 course. Students who wish to continue studying the language may choose a 300 level course to take.
All questions regarding the language test should be directed to Dr. Alice T. Kornovich via e mail at atkornov@loyno.edu
HISTORY PLACEMENT TEST
The optional History placement test is available to all entering students. However, only students who have had a very strong background in World Civilization should sit for the exam. Based on the scores on the history test, students may receive Loyola credit for specific courses upon registration.
ENGLISH PLACEMENT TESTS
Effective Fall 2007, the English department is using the ACT Combined English/Writing score (ACTW) and the SAT Writing score to determine English placement for students. The ACT, ACT1 and SAT Verbal scores are no longer being used to determine English placement.
The University will notify you prior to orientation if you must take the English placement test. As a rule of thumb, you will take English placement if:
You do not have an ACTW or SAT Writing score.
If you scored a 20 or below on the ACTW.
If you scored 500 or below on the SAT Writing.
You are a transfer student who is not transferring English credit(s).
You are an international student who has TOEFL scores only.
How does my advisor know how to place me?
Students are placed in English Composition courses based upon their ACTW or SAT Writing test scores.
ACTW SAT Writing
30 or above 680 or above
Exemption for Engl-T122/A205 (carries no credit). You will be scheduled for ENGL-T125 or ENGL -A210 (for English majors).
21-29 501-679
Advisor will schedule Engl-T122 or ENGL-A205 for ENGL/ENGW majors.
20 or below 500 or below
Must take English Placement test.
CEEB AP Program: Engl Lang & Comp – score of 4 or above AP credit given for ENGL-T122
CEEB AP Program: Engl Lit & Comp – score of 4 or above AP credit given for ENGL-T125
If student is awarded AP credit for ENGL-T122, then ENGL-T125 may be scheduled.
If student is awarded AP credit for ENGL-T125, then ENGL-T122 must still be scheduled.
If an international student has TOEFL scores, along with ACTW or SAT Writing scores, then the advisor will place the student according to the ACTW/SAT Writing score. If the student has TOEFL scores only then the English placement exam must be taken.
MATH PLACEMENT TEST
The University will notify you prior to orientation if you must take the Math placement test. As a rule of thumb, you will take English placement if:
You are a transfer student who is not transferring Math credit(s).
How does my advisor know how to place me?
Math Placement is based on ACT or SAT score scale listed below. Science/Math majors include Biology, all Chemistry programs, Math, Physics, and Psychology/Pre-Med.
ACT SAT
26 580 or above (All Students) Exemption given for MATH-T122/A115
(Science/Math majors must take MATH-A257, Calculus I)
23 540 or above (Science/Math majors) Schedule MATH-A257, Calculus I
19-22 460-530 (Science/Math majors) Schedule MATH-A118, Pre-Calculus
19-25 460-570 (Non-Science/Math majors) Schedule MATH-T122 or MATH-A115
18 450 or below (All Students) Schedule MATH-A092
(credit does not apply toward degree program total)FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Students can read more about these in the Undergraduate Bulletin posted at http://bulletin.loyno.edu/. For specific questions, please call the Dean’s Office of your chosen college.
