WHAT ARE THE PLACEMENT EXAMS FOR?
Your placement exam scores, combined with your other academic data, determine your level of readiness in Math and Chemistry. These scores allow your academic advisor to place you in the Math and/or Chemistry class in which you will be most successful at UC Merced.
PRIORITY DEADLINE
Spring 2025 Students: Deadline is November 18, 2024 at 11:59pm. If you do not take the required exams by the priority deadline, you may not have access to register in CHEM and MATH courses.
Fall 2025 Students: The MATH and CHEM Placement Exams will be available in March 2025 and you will receive an email with access and deadline information.
WHO NEEDS TO TAKE THE PLACEMENT EXAMS?
New First Year Students
- Math Placement Exam - All incoming first year students are required to take the Math Placement Exam.
- Chemistry Placement Exam - All incoming first year students intending majors in the School of Natural Sciences or School of Engineering, Public Health BS major and any pre-health students or students who intend to take CHEM courses regardless of their major
New Transfer Students
- Math Placement Exam - All incoming transfer students who have not taken a UC transferable Pre-Calculus course (MATH 5) or calculus course (MATH 11 or MATH 21).
- Chemistry Placement Exam - All incoming transfer students who have not taken a UC transferable Preparatory Chemistry course (CHEM 1) or General Chemistry course (CHEM 2) and are intending majors in the School of Natural Sciences or School of Engineering and any pre-health students or students who intend to take CHEM courses regardless of their major
Students who have passed an AP exam or college-level course in Calculus and/or Chemistry by May 1, 2024 may not need to take the Placement Exams. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
