<p>Hi,
My daughter will be attending UMass Amherst in the fall. In her admissions packet it mentioned her having to take online placement testing in math and foreign language before new student orientation in the summer. I assume the testing results will be used to place her in the appropriate level math and foreign language classes. Does this mean that UMass has a core curriculum requirement in terms of math and foreign language? I suppose it would depend on the student's major. She has tentatively decided on biology as her major, if this helps someone answer the question.
Thanks!</p>
<p>From Umass site…Gen Ed requirements. Not sure where foreign language falls in this. </p>
<p>[UMass</a> Amherst: General Education](<a href=“http://www.umass.edu/gened/forStudents/requirements2010Later.html]UMass”>http://www.umass.edu/gened/forStudents/requirements2010Later.html)</p>
<p>Thanks for the link! I will encourage my daughter to take the tests sooner, rather than later, since it’s probably best to take them when math is still being done daily. Unfortunately, she is not taking a foreign language this year (she took French for 3 years, but not as a senior), so the placement exam may not go too well. Sigh.</p>
<p>Thanks again :)</p>
<p>The requirements for the university and for each degree and college are spelled out on the UMass web page - spend time digging into it if core requirements will impact your choice of major. The biology department is part of the college of Natural Sciences. If you plan on getting a BS degree in that college I believe there are no specific language requirements BUT if you plan to get a BA you have to take or test out of the equivalent of four semesters of a language. </p>
<p>[CNS</a> Degree Requirements: The College of Natural Sciences: UMass Amherst](<a href=“Academics : College of Natural Sciences : UMass Amherst”>CNS BA and BS requirements : College of Natural Sciences : UMass Amherst)</p>
<p>Don’t worry too much about the placement tests. They are pretty basic. Just do the best you can. They probably won’t be available until sometime in the Spring. Good luck</p>
<p>Thanks NewEngland 2012! That is very helpful.</p>
I’ll be taking the placement test within a few days. Can anybody tell me what the test is like. What type of questions are on the test? Is it easy or hard? Are there any samples available?