<p>I was registering for the New student orientation, and there were questions about taking mandatory math skills assessment and a foreign language placement exam.
I was wondering what these tests are about and why they are needed.
ANd is it really REQUIRED??</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>The mandatory math skills assessment is required to make sure that you don’t have to take a remedial math course before even taking the regular math courses (like finite math or beginning calculus courses).</p>
<p>The foreign language test is so they can put you directly into a foreign language program at the proper level (for example, if you already took 3 years of Spanish in high school, they don’t want to put you in the beginning Spanish course.) Also, in this case, I think you actually can get college credit in certain cases as a result of “testing out” of certain courses.</p>
<p>I believe the math skills assessment is required for those who are required to take future math courses, but that the foreign language test is only required if you are in a major that requires you to take a foreign language (so, for example, business majors would be required to take the math test, but wouldn’t be required to take the foreign language test–and music majors wouldn’t have to take either–and an economics major would have to take both.) Check with your counselor to be sure–since I’m not really sure about what I wrote in this last paragraph.</p>
<p>Take the foreign language placement test even if it isn’t required for you - my daughter tested out and received credit based on her placement scores.</p>
<p>would it be so bad to not do so well on them and get in the easy course your freshmen year? or should you try your hardest to place out and get credit?</p>
<p>Well that’s up to you but you might test out of your entire requirement as my daughter did so I would say do your best. Also just a minor correction to Calcruzer’s post. Music majors are required to take at least two semesters of foreign language unless they test out, and voice majors have additional foreign language requirements. They are also required to take the math assessment test as well, although they can satisfy their requirement with any course in the Life and Physical Sciences/Math area.</p>