University Undergraduate Advising Handbook

PROFILE OF ACADEMIC ABILITIES
PLACEMENT TESTS (ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS, CHEMISTRY)

As part of the admissions process, first-year applicants to the University are required to submit their SAT scores and their high school academic records for evaluation. Students who are admitted participate in the First-Year Testing, Counseling and Advising Program (FTCAP). During the testing component of this program, students take placement tests in English, mathematics, and chemistry.

When testing is completed, the Division of Undergraduate Studies develops for each student the Profile of Academic Abilities, which is based on the student's high school record, SAT scores, and scores on the placement tests. The profile is reviewed in detail with students and their families during FTCAP.

Approximately 95 percent of newly admitted first-year students participate in this program before registering for first-semester classes. Therefore, the majority of students receive copies of their profiles and detailed interpretations of their test results before they meet with their academic advisers.

Students should not be advised to schedule English, mathematics, or chemistry courses referred to on the profile unless the placement actions and recommendations are available to the adviser. Copies of profiles are available from the appropriate deans' offices, from the operations section of DUS at University Park, 814-865-2578, and from the directors of academic affairs at other Penn State campuses. Students' placement actions can also be obtained through eLion. They become available at the start of the first semester/session in which the student is enrolled.

On the front of each profile are the individual student's test results and placement actions. In addition, data are presented on how the student compares academically with other Penn State students. On the back of the profile is a detailed explanation of its contents. (See sample profile.)

Detailed information about scheduling English composition courses is presented in Scheduling English Composition Courses. See Scheduling Quantification Courses for detailed information on scheduling (1) basic mathematics, algebra, precalculus, and calculus courses as recommended by the mathematics placement actions on the profile and (2) alternatives to algebra, precalculus and calculus to fulfill the General Education quantification requirement.

For additional information concerning course scheduling based on placement actions and recommendations, contact the appropriate office: English Composition, 139 South Burrowes Building, University Park, 814-863-3066, Mathematics Undergraduate Studies, 104 McAllister Building, University Park, 814-865-7528, Undergraduate Chemistry Office, 210 Whitmore Lab, University Park, 814-865-9391.

For additional information regarding the use of the profile for advising and program planning, contact the Division of Undergraduate Studies at 814-865-7576.

The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. Please consult a Penn State academic adviser for more detailed information.

This page is part of the University Undergraduate Advising Handbook, which is maintained by the Division of Undergraduate Studies, DUS@psu.edu.

Reviewed: May 2008
Last Update: July 2007