Is a university placement exam really important?

Question

Should I study a lot for this? Or it isn't really THAT important?

I am majoring in Biology and doing pre-medicine, should I take this more serious? Or just as you guys said?

Answer 1

Your placement exams will determine which classes you take in the fall.

For example, math placement exams will determine whether you must take introductory calculus, or advanced calculus. Language placement exams will determine whether you must take a 101 or a 202 level course.

Placement exams measure your current level of knowledge, and determine how you will best be served when you enroll.

So.... do you study a lot? Not really, since you know what you know. There's no real way to change anything at this point. AND, you don't want to be placed in classes that are too difficult for you given your current level of knowledge. But don't PURPOSELY score low on placement exams just to get easier courses. You'll get bored quickly in courses that are below your level, and odds are you'll slack off, or stop going, or just hate the classes.

Is the exam important? Yes, for reasons I already mentioned.

Best wishes to you.

Answer 2

That depends on the University. I think they are very important if you are applying to a private school. Most public schools, though, use them strictly as the State requires them to.

Can you study for such an exam? I don't know. I have always been an "A" student, but I perform horribly on standardized tests.

If you are trying to get into a private or upscale university, go to Hastings or Booksamillion and purchase the study books for this type of exam. If you are applying to a public university, don't sweat the small stuff. Manage your time and allow adequate study time after you get on campus, and you will be fine.

Answer 3

I have heard universities compute a score for all entering students based on SATs/ACT scores and GPA. Sometimes they adjust these scores based on how well other people from your high school have done at their university in the past as well as "diversity" factors.

You can improve your score by practice. First, you don't burn a lot of time reading the instructions because you already know them. Second, you can learn patterns. Once you've figured out how to solve a type of problem, you don't have to waste a lot of time figuring it out during the test.

Whether you should study really depends on what your goals are. If you want to get into a very competitive school or you're really shooting for a scholarship, you should study. If not, look over some sample tests just so you will know what to expect.

Answer 4

Placement exams is something you really don't have to study for. It's a test which examines which stuff you already know. If you think you'd do better if you study, I guess it wouldn't hurt. Placement exams are exams which would tell you how well you know a subject and Academic Advisers use it to determine which classes you should take.