Chemistry Placement Exam During Orientation

Hello,

I just registered for orientation for LSA Honors at the University of Michigan and I’m wondering about the Chemistry placement exam. It is listed as “encouraged”, especially if you plan to take Chemistry at Michigan. I took AP Chem as a sophomore but I remember next to nothing and I plan on taking entry level chem w/ lab as a freshman to satisfy the premed requirement. I don’t want to take the test because I know I would do very poorly, and I don’t want a bad score to follow me around. Will I still be allowed to take entry level chem (and not get stuck in some remedial course) if I don’t take the test?

Thank you!

Hi,
I may be incorrect but I believe the placement test is used to see if people should take Organic Chemistry instead of General Chemistry. The introductory Chem lab/course is open to everyone so you should have no difficulty. I took ap Chem sophomore year and hadn’t remembered much, but the test is really on the very basic concepts you learn in non-ap Chem. If you were to refresh yourself by maybe just spending like half an hour looking at an ap Chem review book or some old Chem material you should definitely be fine!

Placement tests do exactly that - place you where you belong. They are not graded and will not follow you. Too many students start college by chasing the same grades that got them there instead of taking advantage of the resources designed to make them strong students.