Hello, i just committed to PSU with a toxicology major in the College of Agricultural Sciences. I was wondering when I should take those tests. And I am really worried for them, because I haven’t taken a Chemistry course since my sophomore year and I forgot everything about Precalc. My fears are that I’ll fail them and end up having to take remedial courses. Right now, I’ve been taking courses to help me remember all the math courses up to Calculus since that’s when i stopped taking math. And for chem, i am currently looking back at my Ap chem and Honors chem notes. Am i just being paranoid? Also, when should i take the placement tests? Thank you!
Are you talking about the ALEKS test? You take the placement tests as soon as you commit because the sooner you complete it, the sooner you will be scheduled for orientation and that’s when you register for classes. Placement tests are just that…just for placement. You need certain scores to be able to register for certain classes. I only really know about the ALEKS math placement test. I don’t know anything about the chemistry ones. But in general, there really is no studying for them. You know what you know. And you can retake them if you have to. I’d take them ASAP though. Unless we are talking about totally different tests -
The ALEKS math test counts for chemistry too, so you don’t need to do any extra studying for chem topics if I recall correctly. They want to make sure you can do the math involved in courses like Chem 110.
http://advising.psu.edu/aleks/understandyourscore.html
With a 61+ on ALEKS, you can take Chem 110 if you had chemistry in HS. And you want to place into Chem 110, since it’s in your Recommended Academic Plan: https://rap.psu.edu/recommended-academic-plan-toxicology-tox-commonwealth-campuses-and-university-park
Edit: Also, you have the opportunity to complete learning modules and retake the assessment for a better score, so don’t stress too much.