Placement Exams

Placement exams are designed to place students into CSU courses consistent with their preparation; they are not a condition for admission to Colorado State University. Incoming students (without adequate AP*, IB or transfer credits) are required to take a Math Placement Exam and English Composition Placement/Challenge Exam. In addition, a Foreign Language Placement Exam is offered but not required for all students. You are able to take all exams online using a personal computer before attending Preview.

There are charges for each placement examination completed. These charges are not included in the Preview program charge. Exam charges are automatically assessed to the student's account with the University.

Math Placement Exam

You must study for and take the CSU Math Placement Exam (MPE) from home using a personal computer BEFORE attending Preview. The results of this exam may affect your ability to register for some classes. Review Materials and instructions can be found at www.math.colostate.edu. Click on "Math Placement Information" and then on "Information for Prospective and Incoming Students".

A 15$ fee will be directly assessed to your student account after you complete the exam.

*If you have taken the AP Calculus exam, we still strongly recommended that you take the CSU Math Placement Exam. AP scores are not finalized until late in the summer. Without your AP score or MPE results, you will not be able to register for courses (such as chemistry, physics, economics or mathematics) that require math as a prerequisite.

Please note: the MPE is offered on Day 1 of Preview from 9:00am - 12:30pm for those students who wish to retake the exam or try to earn credit by exam. This session is not intended for students who wish to take the MPE for the first time. Exam must be started by 10:30 a.m. to guarantee enough time.

*If you need special arrangements for taking the Math Placement Exam because of a learning or physical disability, please contact the PACe Office at least one week in advance of attending Preview, 137 Weber Building, (970) 491-5761.

English Composition Placement/Challenge Exam

Requirement:
Satisfactory completion of CO150, College Composition, the All-University Core Curriculum lower-division Written Communication requirement (AUCC Category 1A).

Placement:   

  • Students who score 600 or higher on the SAT critical reading or 26 or higher on the ACT English are eligible to register for CO150 without taking the Composition Placement/Challenge Exam.
  •  Students who do not have transfer credit for a course equivalent to CO150 or CO130, or students who score lower than 600 on the SAT critical reading or lower than 26 on the ACT English must take the Composition Placement/Challenge Exam to be placed in an appropriate composition course.

 

Composition Program Website: 
http://writing.colostate.edu/comp

Composition Placement/Challenge Exam Website:  http://writing.colostate.edu/comp/placement.cfm

Online Composition Placement/Challenge Exam Website:  http://writing.colostate.edu/comp/exam

Please note:  In order to register for a composition course at Preview, you will need to take this exam online at least one week prior to your scheduled Preview session.  Visit the Composition Placement/Challenge Exam Website:  http://writing.colostate.edu/comp/placement.cfm for dates and times for the online exam.

If you have questions about the English Composition Placement/Challenge Exam, please contact Sue Russell at 970-491-1898 or via email at Sue.Russell@colostate.edu.

Foreign Languages (Spanish, French, German)

Students who plan to enroll in a foreign language course must take the placement test IF they have experience in the language--or if they transfer in foreign language "wildcards" (L 1**, L 2**, etc.). For more information, visit www.colostate.edu/Depts/FLL/.

At Preview, placement exams will be offered for Spanish, French, and German. If you plan to take the exam, please meet in the Braiden Hall Lobby at 12:00 p.m. and an orientation leader will direct you to the exam location. For information about foreign language placement exams, please contact the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at (970) 491-6141.

The exam charge is $10, which will be directly assessed to your student account. The placement exam is taken on a computer and lasts approximately one half hour.