Get ready for COMPASS Orientation!
Please consult the following checklist to ensure you are prepared to maximize your first visit to campus as an official Hound. You will need your username and password to access some of these sites:
- Complete the COMPASS Learning Community Preference Survey – Available March 23
- Complete the Class of 2028 Academic Interests and Goals Questionnaire – Available March 23
- Take the Math Placement Test – Available Early May
- Take the Foreign Language Placement Test – Available Early May
FOREIGN LANGUAGE QUESTIONNAIRE AND PLACEMENT
The Department of Modern and Classical Languages welcomes you to Assumption University! All students must take one foreign language course either at placement level or in a new language to fulfill the Foundations Program language requirement.
All students must enter the placement site to complete information about their language knowledge whether or not they have studied a foreign language.
Read carefully:
- All students fill out a questionnaire on the language placement site.
- Students who have studied Spanish, French, and/or Italian at any point in their education will take the corresponding language test(s) to place you with students at a similar level.
- Students who speak Spanish, French, or Italian through life experience, such as speaking it at home, living in another country, or understanding them as heritage or native speakers should take the corresponding exam(s).
- Students who speak Portuguese and who have not studied Spanish should take the Spanish exam anyway. Portuguese speakers who studied French or Italian should take that corresponding exam as well.
- Students who took or will take an AP exam in Spanish, French, or Italian should also take the corresponding placement exam.
- All other students still must enter the placement site to answer a questionnaire and click on the “all others” option for additional questions regarding your language experience and background. This applies to students with no foreign language study and to those who have studied or have life experience with languages other than Spanish, French or Italian.
You may elect to study a new language, but if you studied Spanish, Italian, or French, you must still take the corresponding exam.
Assumption currently offers classes in French, Italian, Latin, and Spanish. Students who wish to study a different language may take courses through the Worcester Consortium Colleges.
If you have college credit for language study at a previous institution or receive Assumption credit through an AP test, you must still enter the placement site and take the corresponding exam per the above instructions. We will place you at the subsequent level once that credit is received in case you wish to continue studying it.
We recommend that you register for a foreign language course as soon as possible to reflect your current abilities—and before you forget the language skills you acquired in high school or college.
The Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures determines your placement level by taking into consideration a variety of information about your experience with and study of languages other than English. Language placement is the purview of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures and is not made or changed by academic advisors, students themselves or others outside the Department. The Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures reserves the right to adjust your placement.
At the prompt, enter your official Assumption username and password.
The rest of the instructions are given at the exam site. To receive an appropriate placement, complete the exam to the best of your ability without the assistance of other people, online tools, textbooks, dictionaries, and other supplementary materials. Use of these materials and anything similar would be antithetical to academic honesty.
If you have questions not answered by the FAQ (below) or about your placement, please contact Professor Maryanne Leone, Chair, Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures.
Math Placement Test for First-Year and Transfer Students
The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science welcomes you to Assumption University! In order to take a mathematics course at Assumption, or any other math-related course such as Statistics or Microeconomics, you must take the online placement test. Every student must take a math course to fulfill the Foundations Program requirement.
The placement exam takes 25 minutes and times out automatically regardless of where you are in the test. Plan to take the test in one sitting without interruptions or distractions. You may use any computer, but it should have a reliable internet connection. If you lose your internet connection, you will not be able to re-enter the test. Email Beth Peterson in IT at b.peterson@assumption.edu if you encounter technical difficulties.
Remember, this is NOT a test in the normal sense; it simply places you at a level appropriate to your skills and knowledge. To achieve the most appropriate placement consistent with your level of mathematics education and ability, you should complete the placement examination to the best of your ability, without the use of textbooks, calculators, or any other type of assistance. Use pencil and paper for calculations. If you do not recognize a topic or do not know how to answer a question, just skip it. DO NOT RANDOMLY GUESS AS IT CAN LOWER OR INFLATE YOUR PLACEMENT.
At the prompt, enter your official Assumption username and password.
The rest of the instructions are given at the exam site. You will be able to view your placement results by clicking on the “Exam Results” link in the Brightspace course one week after taking the exam.
The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science reserves the right to change your placement if we believe you have not been placed at the appropriate level. Also, if you feel you have been misplaced on the basis of the placement test, you should consult with the Department. You may not place yourself into a course lower or higher than where you tested without the permission of the Department. You will not be able to register for a math class without a placement.
We recommend that you register for a mathematics course as soon as possible after taking the placement exam so that it reflects your current abilities—and before you forget the skills you acquired in high school.
If you have questions, please contact Professor Jessica McCready, Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I have to take the Placement Exam, even if I have never studied a language other than English?
Yes, all students must enter the placement site to complete a questionnaire about their foreign language experience and take a placement exam if they have studied French, Spanish or Italian.
What do I do if I studied a language other than French, Spanish, or Italian?
Complete the questionnaire on the placement site about the language you have studied. You also will be directed to click the “All Others” option to answer additional questions regarding your language background. We then will place you according to that information and your high school and/or college transcripts. You may take that language at another university, including in the Worcester Consortium of Colleges, or study Spanish, French, Italian, or Latin at Assumption.
What if I have studied a language for which there is no placement test?
You will still enter the placement test site to provide information in a questionnaire about the language that you have studied and then click the “all others” option to answer additional questions about your language background. You may opt to start a new language or continue your language of study through the Worcester College Consortium courses if offered.
How many times can I take the Placement Exam?
You will normally take the exam only once, unless asked to retake it by the Department. If you take the exam but do not register for a foreign language course until several years later (which is not advisable but occasionally happens), you may be asked to retake the exam since your language proficiency will change over time.
How long does the Placement Exam take?
The initial survey and 30-question test are estimated to take 30-45 minutes, but you may take as much time as you need.
When should I take the exam?
You must take it before meeting with an academic advisor about your first semester of courses at Assumption.
When do I find out the results of the Placement Exam?
After the chairperson of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures reviews the results and the Registrar’s Office enters the placement in your record. You will see your placement on the academic advising website “Go to my Progress” page, towards the bottom under “Other Courses.”
What if I don’t understand my placement result?
Contact the Chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages & Cultures, Professor Maryanne Leone.
I placed into a course that is either too difficult or too easy for me. What should I do?
The advising website is linked with placement scores, so it will not allow you to register for a course that does not coincide with your placement. Changes in placement require authorization from the department and then re-entering by the Registrar’s Office. Contact the Chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages & Cultures, Professor Maryanne Leone.
Do I need to call the Department before I register for the course that the Placement Exam indicates?
No, unless you have questions.
The section of the language course I’d like to take (or that fits in my schedule) is full. What should I do?
You will probably be able to rearrange your schedule so that you can register for another section of the same course. If all sections are full, you will have to wait until the following semester. If you plan to major or minor in that language, contact the Chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages & Cultures, Professor Maryanne Leone.
Do I receive credit for taking the Exam?
No, the Placement Exam is only for placement in the appropriate language courses.
If I took the AP test in a foreign language, should I take the Placement Exam?
Yes, take the exam since there often is a delay in receiving the AP score. Make sure that you have your AP scores sent to the Registrar’s Office for proper awarding of credit. We can’t award credit without official scores. Depending on your AP score and level of placement, you may decide to take the course indicated by the Placement Exam instead of accepting AP credit.
If I’m bilingual or a native speaker of Spanish, or French, or Italian , do I have to take the Placement Exam?
Yes.
-
Do I have to take the Placement Exam?
Yes, in order to take a mathematics course at Assumption, you must take the Placement Exam unless you are transferring in credit for a math class from another college or university.
Why do I have to take the Placement Exam?
The test helps us to assess both the level of material you have seen and the extent to which you retained what you learned. It is important that you give an accurate portrayal of your abilities without the use of any outside assistance, including calculators. If there is a topic you do not recognize, just skip the question; don’t guess. Placing below your appropriate level may mean you will be bored and be required to take more math classes to meet our minimum standard. Placing at too high a level may mean you will struggle to succeed.
How many times can I take the Placement Exam?
You will take the exam only once, unless asked to retake it by the Department.
How long does the Placement Exam take?
You will have 25 minutes to complete the test. The test times out automatically after 25 minutes, and your placement will be based on whatever your score is at that point. So it’s important to set aside 25 minutes and do the exam in one sitting without distractions. You cannot pause and finish the exam later.
When should I take the exam?
You should complete the placement test as soon as possible in order to be placed into a course at an appropriate level during your advising session. You will not be able to register for a mathematics class until you have taken the Placement Exam.
How do I access the exam?
Go to the Assumption main homepage and click on “Information for Current Undergraduate Students” (top of page). The scroll down and click the link to “Brightspace.” Enter your official Assumption username and password.
When do I find out the results of the Placement Exam?
You will be able to view your placement results by clicking on the “Exam Results” link in the Brightspace course one week after taking the exam.Your advisor can explain your placement and how the course fulfills requirements for the Foundations Program or major.
I placed into a course that is too easy for me. What should I do?
WebAdvisor is linked with placement scores and it will allow you to register only for the course that coincides with your placement. If you placed into MAT 111, you must contact the Chair of the Department of Mathematics for permission to take any other course.
I placed into a course that is too difficult for me. What should I do?
Contact the Chair of the Department of Mathematics before registering for a course. WebAdvisor is linked with placement scores, so it will not allow you to register for a course lower than your placement.
The section of the math course I’d like to take (or that fits in my schedule) is full. What should I do?
You will probably be able to rearrange your schedule so that you can register for another section of the same course. You can also opt to be placed on the waitlist for the course. You can also opt to take math in a later semester, though sooner is definitely better.
Do I receive credit for taking the Exam?
No, the Placement Exam is only for placement in the appropriate mathematics courses.
If I took the AP Calculus, should I take the Placement Exam?
Depending on your AP score and level of placement, you may decide to take the course indicated by the Placement Exam instead of accepting your AP credit. Make sure that you have your AP scores sent to the Office of the Registrar, and you can discuss your options with your advisor.
Do I have to take the Placement Exam, even if I have never studied a language other than English?
Yes, all students must enter the placement site to complete a questionnaire about their foreign language experience and take a placement exam if they have studied French, Spanish or Italian.
What do I do if I studied a language other than French, Spanish, or Italian?
Complete the questionnaire on the placement site about the language you have studied. You also will be directed to click the “All Others” option to answer additional questions regarding your language background. We then will place you according to that information and your high school and/or college transcripts. You may take that language at another university, including in the Worcester Consortium of Colleges, or study Spanish, French, Italian, or Latin at Assumption.
What if I have studied a language for which there is no placement test?
You will still enter the placement test site to provide information in a questionnaire about the language that you have studied and then click the “all others” option to answer additional questions about your language background. You may opt to start a new language or continue your language of study through the Worcester College Consortium courses if offered.
How many times can I take the Placement Exam?
You will normally take the exam only once, unless asked to retake it by the Department. If you take the exam but do not register for a foreign language course until several years later (which is not advisable but occasionally happens), you may be asked to retake the exam since your language proficiency will change over time.
How long does the Placement Exam take?
The initial survey and 30-question test are estimated to take 30-45 minutes, but you may take as much time as you need.
When should I take the exam?
You must take it before meeting with an academic advisor about your first semester of courses at Assumption.
When do I find out the results of the Placement Exam?
After the chairperson of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures reviews the results and the Registrar’s Office enters the placement in your record. You will see your placement on the academic advising website “Go to my Progress” page, towards the bottom under “Other Courses.”
What if I don’t understand my placement result?
Contact the Chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages & Cultures, Professor Maryanne Leone.
I placed into a course that is either too difficult or too easy for me. What should I do?
The advising website is linked with placement scores, so it will not allow you to register for a course that does not coincide with your placement. Changes in placement require authorization from the department and then re-entering by the Registrar’s Office. Contact the Chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages & Cultures, Professor Maryanne Leone.
Do I need to call the Department before I register for the course that the Placement Exam indicates?
No, unless you have questions.
The section of the language course I’d like to take (or that fits in my schedule) is full. What should I do?
You will probably be able to rearrange your schedule so that you can register for another section of the same course. If all sections are full, you will have to wait until the following semester. If you plan to major or minor in that language, contact the Chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages & Cultures, Professor Maryanne Leone.
Do I receive credit for taking the Exam?
No, the Placement Exam is only for placement in the appropriate language courses.
If I took the AP test in a foreign language, should I take the Placement Exam?
Yes, take the exam since there often is a delay in receiving the AP score. Make sure that you have your AP scores sent to the Registrar’s Office for proper awarding of credit. We can’t award credit without official scores. Depending on your AP score and level of placement, you may decide to take the course indicated by the Placement Exam instead of accepting AP credit.
If I’m bilingual or a native speaker of Spanish, or French, or Italian , do I have to take the Placement Exam?
Yes.
Do I have to take the Placement Exam?
Yes, in order to take a mathematics course at Assumption, you must take the Placement Exam unless you are transferring in credit for a math class from another college or university.
Why do I have to take the Placement Exam?
The test helps us to assess both the level of material you have seen and the extent to which you retained what you learned. It is important that you give an accurate portrayal of your abilities without the use of any outside assistance, including calculators. If there is a topic you do not recognize, just skip the question; don’t guess. Placing below your appropriate level may mean you will be bored and be required to take more math classes to meet our minimum standard. Placing at too high a level may mean you will struggle to succeed.
How many times can I take the Placement Exam?
You will take the exam only once, unless asked to retake it by the Department.
How long does the Placement Exam take?
You will have 25 minutes to complete the test. The test times out automatically after 25 minutes, and your placement will be based on whatever your score is at that point. So it’s important to set aside 25 minutes and do the exam in one sitting without distractions. You cannot pause and finish the exam later.
When should I take the exam?
You should complete the placement test as soon as possible in order to be placed into a course at an appropriate level during your advising session. You will not be able to register for a mathematics class until you have taken the Placement Exam.
How do I access the exam?
Go to the Assumption main homepage and click on “Information for Current Undergraduate Students” (top of page). The scroll down and click the link to “Brightspace.” Enter your official Assumption username and password.
When do I find out the results of the Placement Exam?
You will be able to view your placement results by clicking on the “Exam Results” link in the Brightspace course one week after taking the exam.Your advisor can explain your placement and how the course fulfills requirements for the Foundations Program or major.
I placed into a course that is too easy for me. What should I do?
WebAdvisor is linked with placement scores and it will allow you to register only for the course that coincides with your placement. If you placed into MAT 111, you must contact the Chair of the Department of Mathematics for permission to take any other course.
I placed into a course that is too difficult for me. What should I do?
Contact the Chair of the Department of Mathematics before registering for a course. WebAdvisor is linked with placement scores, so it will not allow you to register for a course lower than your placement.
The section of the math course I’d like to take (or that fits in my schedule) is full. What should I do?
You will probably be able to rearrange your schedule so that you can register for another section of the same course. You can also opt to be placed on the waitlist for the course. You can also opt to take math in a later semester, though sooner is definitely better.
Do I receive credit for taking the Exam?
No, the Placement Exam is only for placement in the appropriate mathematics courses.
If I took the AP Calculus, should I take the Placement Exam?
Depending on your AP score and level of placement, you may decide to take the course indicated by the Placement Exam instead of accepting your AP credit. Make sure that you have your AP scores sent to the Office of the Registrar, and you can discuss your options with your advisor.