Placement Exams and Assessments
The need to take placement exams depends on your school's unique requirements and your own course objectives. For those taking more than one exam or assessment, we encourage you to plan in advance so you take no more than one per week.
Do you need to take any placement tests this summer?
Review your school’s page first for an overview of expectations. Additional Placement Exams guidance for your school can be found in Purple Prep's mid-May email. Then, view the expandable menus below for an overview followed by exam and assessment descriptions and access links.
Exams and Assessments
Once you have reviewed the above section to determine which exams and assessments are relevant to you, find more information on each exam/assessment below, including deadline dates, access links, and contact information.
Biology Placement Exam
This optional exam is recommended for students with a strong background in biology who think they could be ready for BIO 202 Cell Biology. The exam covers core competencies in the molecular biology subject area and goes further than most high school AP/IB biology classes. Any student interested in taking this exam should sign up by July 7, 2022. Those who sign up by the deadline will be able to access and complete the exam on Canvas from July 11-24, 2022.
- Sign up for the exam by July 7, 2022.
- After signing up, access the optional Biology Placement Exam on Canvas from July 11-24, 2022.
- Questions regarding this exam, including access, can be sent to biosci@northwestern.edu.
Initial Chemistry Assessment
This assessment is required for all students—including students with AP Chemistry credit—who plan to take any chemistry course at Northwestern. The exam is administered on Canvas. Invitations to the Canvas site will be sent directly to students starting in mid-May. For more information, visit the Department of Chemistry website.
- Access the Initial Chemistry Assessment under the courses section on Canvas.
- If you do not see this exam when you log into Canvas after May 16, please email chemhelp@northwestern.edu for assistance.
- Complete by July 31.
Chemistry Placement Exam
This placement exam is required in addition to the initial chemistry assessment for students planning to take Accelerated General Chemistry (CHEM 171), Organic Chemistry (CHEM 215), or Organic Chemistry for Majors (CHEM 212), regardless of any credit earned through AP or IB examination. The exam is administered on Canvas. Invitations to the Canvas site will be sent directly to students starting in mid-May.
- Access the Chemistry Placement Exam under the courses section on Canvas.
- If you do not see this exam when you log into Canvas after May 16, please email chemhelp@northwestern.edufor assistance.
- Complete by July 31.
Language Placement Exam
Language placement policies and procedures vary by department and are only applicable to students who have previously studied a language other than English. Language Placement Exams are not administered via Canvas.
- Review how your history of study in a particular language determines the need to take a language exam on the Language placement portal. Find contact information on your language's page for any questions.
- Access the Online Language Placement Exams.
- Complete by July 31.
Department of Mathematics Math Placement Exam
The math placement exam is required for any non-McCormick student planning to take a calculus course at Northwestern and for all McCormick students. The exam is administered on Canvas. Invitations to the Canvas site will be sent directly to students starting in mid-May. For more information, visit the Department of Mathematics website.
- Access the Math Placement Exam under the courses section on Canvas.
- If you do not see this exam when you log into Canvas after May 16, please email calculus@math.northwestern.edu for assistance.
- Complete by July 31.
Dance Placement Evaluation
Northwestern's Dance Program offers three levels of instruction in ballet, jazz, and modern techniques. Students with limited or no previous dance experience are encouraged to begin with level one, and no evaluation is required. For students with previous dance training, the online dance placement evaluation is recommended. Participating students view choreographed dance videos and then upload videos of themselves performing one or more of the routines shown. The performance of each technique should be recorded and uploaded separately. Performances are not expected to be heavily rehearsed; they are simply a tool to help dance instructors gauge how the Dance Program can best serve you.
If you are interested in taking part in the dance placement evaluation, please complete the following form. Links to choreographed videos and instruction for how to submit your recordings are included. Click to complete the Dance Placement - Fall 2022 form.
The form will be accessible by May 15. Submissions are due June 15.
If you have any questions, please contact NU Theatre Program Assistant Caitlin Robb via email (caitlin.robb@northwestern.edu).
Exam Accommodations
If you need accommodations for an online placement exam or assessments, plan to initiate the AccessibleNU (ANU) application process four weeks in advance of your placement test. Please note that foreign language placement exams are not timed.
Canvas Invitations
Canvas is commonly used at Northwestern for accessing course materials, turning in assignments, viewing grades, and handling other academic tasks. You'll use Canvas this summer if certain online placement exams and assessments are required for you. Every incoming student is emailed an invitation to join the Canvas exam page even if no exams or assessments are required.