Chemistry Placement Tool
Please read the following thoroughly before taking the (General) Chemistry Placement Tool.
Before registering for and taking General Chemistry, students must take this Chemistry Placement Tool (CPT) to ensure that they are in the course which best suits them individually. Note that CHEM 125 (lecture) and CHEM 135 (lab) are for students regardless of whether or not they took high school chemistry.
What to Expect When Taking the CPT
The CPT consists of three parts (a demographic survey, and two content sections: A and B). Part A assesses math skills and quantitative reasoning (20 questions). Part B evaluates their understanding of chemistry concepts typically covered in high school chemistry courses (30 questions). Here are a few things to should keep in mind when taking the CPT.
- We encourage students to take the CPT “as they are” without extensive studying.
- To ensure that students are placed in the course(s) that will best serve them, students should not use any other resources.
- Students ONLY need pencils, scratch paper and a calculator to complete the tool.
- A periodic table and all relevant constants are provided.
- Students may only take this placement tool ONCE and it should be completed it in one sitting.
- Students may take as long as they wish to complete it.
- EVERY question must be answered in order to submit the CPT. If students are completely unfamiliar with a particular problem or don't remember how to solve it, they should select either "I've never seen a question like this before" or "I've seen this before, but forgot" instead of selecting a random answer. It will allow us to better understand their level of preparation and provide them the resources they need.
- Students may scroll through the questions and answer them in any order within each section, but they must answer all questions in that section before moving on.
- Students can move between answered sections and may change their answers at any time PRIOR to hitting the "Submit" button at the end of the CPT.
- Once they hit "Submit," answers will be sent to the Chemistry department and the tool will end. Students will also recieve a copy of their results in their email but cannot register for classes until their scores have been recorded with the Registrar’s Office.
Prior to registration, the Chemistry Department will communicate with each student and the Registrar's Office about which course(s) are most suitable for them. Please note that it may take several days for their results to be synced with the Registrar's system. Students should plan to take the CPT before July 15 to avoid delays.
How to Take the Chemistry Placement Tool
To take the placement tool, students must follow the Google form link below and log in using their Whitman email address. If they are in a location where access to Google is restricted, please contact Associate Professor of Chemistry Mark Hendricks (hendrimp@whitman.edu) or Associate Professor of Chemistry Dalia Biswas at rohksad@whitman.edu.
What Happens After Taking the Chemistry Placement Tool
Based on demonstrated need in the area of quantitative reasoning on the CPT, some students will have the opportunity to take the supplementary 1-credit CHEM 111 course to support their learning in CHEM 125/135.
Students who demonstrate more advanced chemistry preparation on either the CPT, the Chemistry AP Test, or Chemistry IB (HL) might be encouraged to take the accelerated one-semester Advanced General Chemistry (CHEM 140).
More details (course descriptions, prerequisites, etc.) are available in the course listings in the Whitman College Catalog.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about General Chemistry, or have any technical questions about the placement tool, please contact Associate Professor of Chemistry Mark Hendricks (hendrimp@whitman.edu) or Associate Professor of Chemistry Dalia Biswas at rohksad@whitman.edu. Students are also encouraged to speak with their academic adviser prior to registration about how general chemistry fits into their academic plan.
We look forward to having you in our General Chemistry classes!