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FTCAP: Testing Component
The results of the required testing component serve several purposes:
- Placement: The results are used to determine your appropriate starting levels in English, mathematics, and chemistry course sequences.
- Basic Skills: The results are used to identify any weaknesses in English and/or basic mathematics.
- Educational Planning and Academic Advising: The test results provide a sound base of specific information on which to evaluate your educational plans by indicating to you and your academic adviser where you stand in various academic areas compared to other Penn State students, what you can expect to achieve academically at Penn State, and in which types of educational programs you would probably do well.
Tests are administered in three subjects: English, mathematics, and chemistry. The relative importance of each test will vary according to your program of study.
It is in your best interests to do as well as you can on these tests because the results will specify at what level you will begin your Penn State studies in those subject areas (i.e., whether you will need to take remedial work, whether you can start at the beginning University level, or whether you can begin at an advanced level).
- English Test: This test will be important to all students, since all students must schedule course work in English composition. The purpose of this test is to measure your competence in the following areas of English usage: spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, grammar, and diction. You will be asked to identify misspelled words, synonyms, antonyms, and inaccurate punctuation and to evaluate the correctness of the grammar and diction of parts of sentences. You may not use a dictionary for this test.
An outstanding performance on this test will qualify you to enroll in English 30 (Honors Freshman Composition). A low score on this test will indicate a basic skills weakness, in which case you should consider enrolling in English 4, or English 5, or both.
- Mathematics Test: Mathematics testing is required of all entering first-year students and is used for advising and course placement in mathematics and chemistry. The purpose of the mathematics test is to measure a student's knowledge of various algebra and trigonometry topics. The results of this test determine the level of mathematics at which you will begin if you schedule mathematics at the University. The test is important for all students because all majors require course work in the mathematical sciences. This test is particularly important for students entering programs of study that require calculus, since a low score on this test indicates that a student is not ready for calculus and will be required to schedule courses in algebra and/or trigonometry. It is recognized that some students may not have covered all of these topics in high school. However, you should do your best on this test so that the results accurately reflect your knowledge of mathematics.
Two versions of the Mathematics Test will be offered: one version will require the use of a calculator, the other will not. You will be permitted to choose either version of the test. If you are accustomed to using a calculator for solving math problems, it is better for you to take the calculator version of the test and to use a calculator with which you are already familiar; if you are not accustomed to using a calculator, it is better to take the non-calculator version. If you choose the calculator version, you must provide the calculator when you take the test. Any four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator will be acceptable.
- Chemistry Test: The purpose of the Chemistry Test is to measure a student's knowledge in various topic areas of chemistry. All students who have scheduled high school chemistry are required to take this test. Its results, in conjunction with the results of the Mathematics Test, will determine the chemistry level at which you will begin if you schedule chemistry at Penn State. This test is most important for students who are in programs of study with a science/engineering orientation. It is recognized that some students may not have covered all of these topics in high school. However, you should do your best on this test so that the results accurately reflect your knowledge of chemistry. You may NOT use a calculator for this test.
A student who earns high scores on the Chemistry and Mathematics Tests will be encouraged to take, at a later date, a Penn State proficiency test in chemistry. (Note: There is no charge for this proficiency test.)
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