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 Spring Next Step.
There are charges for each placement examination completed. These charges are not included in the Spring Next Step 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 Mathematics Placement Exam (MPE) using a personal computer
before attending Preview. The results of this exam may affect your ability to register for classes in many disciplines, especially Economics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, and Mathematics. Review materials and exam instructions are found on the following Mathematics Department website:
www.math.colostate.edu/mpe. The link titled "Information for Prospective & Incoming Students" directs you to the website for the MPE, and describes the testing process.
*If you have taken the AP Calculus exam, we still strongly recommend that you take the CSU Mathematics Placement Exam if your scores have not been posted with the University. Without an appropriate AP or MPE result, you will not be able to register for courses that require math as a prerequisite (especially in Economics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, and Mathematics).
*If you are tranferring credit in College Algebra to CSU, you must have an official transfer credit evaluation on file to register for courses that require math as a prerequisite (especially in Economics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, and Mathematics).
*If you need extended time as an ADA accomodation when taking the MPE from home, please contact the PACe Office (Weber 137; 970-491-5761) at least one week in advance of your Preview session.
Should you have additional questions concerning math placement, you may contact the PACe Office (Weber 137; 970-491-5761) or send a detailed email to PACe@math.colostate.edu. Please be sure to include your full name and CSU ID in any email correspondence.
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://composition.colostate.edu
Composition Placement/Challenge Exam Website:
http://composition.colostate.edu/placement.html
Please note: In order to register for a composition course at Spring Next Step, you will need to take this exam online at least one week prior to your scheduled session. Visit the Composition Placement/Challenge Exam Website: http://composition.colostate.edu/placement.html 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.languages.colostate.edu/placement-test.
The placement exam is taken on a computer and lasts approximately 45 minutes. For information about foreign language placement exams, please contact the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at (970) 491-6141.