Administration of the Tests
SLRC is responsible for administering TWU's Science Placement Tests to students who have not yet taken their introductory biology, chemistry, physics, and zoology courses. Learn more about placement testing by visiting Academic Advising.
TWU administers two placement tests in science: the Basic Science Placement Test and the Chemistry Placement Test. These half-hour tests consist of multiple choice questions on material presented in most Texas junior and/or senior high schools.
- All testing materials are provided at the test site.
- You may not use reference materials or calculators while taking these tests.
- There is no fee for taking the tests.
- After taking these tests, your test(s) will be graded and the results sent to the the Academic Advising office. A copy is also retained in the Chemistry and Physics Department.
Which Placement Tests Should You Take?
All new students are required to take the science placement tests. If you are required by your degree plan to enroll (or if you elect to enroll) in the following courses, you must pass TWU's basic science placement test:
- BIOL 1113 - 1111
- CHEM 1013 - 1011
- PHYS 1133 - 1131
- PHYS 2153 - 2151
If you are required by your degree plan to enroll (or if you elect to enroll) in the following courses, you must pass TWU's chemistry placement test:
- CHEM 1023 - 1021
- CHEM 1113 - 1111
How to Prepare for Science Placement Tests
Junior high and high school science textbooks are excellent resources for preparing for science placement tests. You can also find science textbooks in most public libraries.
Basic Science Placement Test
The Basic Science Placement Test contains questions about general physical science concepts including the structure of the atom. It also contains questions to test the math skills you will use in introductory college level science courses (e.g., unit conversions, mathematical manipulation of exponential numbers, etc). You are exempt from this test if you have college credit (C or better) in physics or chemistry.
Chemistry Placement Test
The Chemistry Placement Test contains material covered in the first year of high school chemistry. You are exempt from this test if you did not take chemistry in high school. If you did take chemistry in junior high or high school, you will take this test, and you will enroll in either CHEM 1013, CHEM 1023, or CHEM 1113 as determined by your score on this test (provided you pass the Basic Science Test.) You are exempt from this test if you have college credit (C or better) in physics or chemistry, and may enroll in the next science course listed in your degree plan.
page last updated 1/2/2013 11:07 AM