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Placement Tests

Placement tests help students start in the course level that best matches their current preparation. They are not designed to be 鈥減assed鈥� with the highest score. Instead, they help you avoid taking a course that is too easy or too difficult for your background.

Tip for new students: If a placement test may affect your first-quarter registration, complete it before your Advising & Orientation (A&O). Some results may take time to update in UW systems.

Reminder: CIRCLE provides this page as a resource guide. Always follow the official instructions from UW departments and your academic adviser when choosing courses or completing placement requirements

Placement Test Information by Subject

Review the sections below to learn which placement tests or guided self-placement tools may apply to you.

Accessible Accordion

The Department of Chemistry offers placement exams to help students choose the appropriate introductory chemistry course.

General Chemistry Placement Exam

The General Chemistry Placement Exam is used for enrollment in CHEM 110, CHEM 120, CHEM 142, or CHEM 143.

  • The exam is available online through Canvas.
  • You will need a valid UW student ID number.
  • If you are attending A&O, complete the exam at least 2 business days before your A&O so your score can update in time for course registration.
  • The General Chemistry Placement Exam may be taken up to two times, with at least 24 hours between attempts.

Honors Chemistry Placement Exam

The Honors Chemistry Placement Exam is used for enrollment in CHEM 145.

  • This exam is also available online through Canvas.
  • The Honors Chemistry Placement Exam has only one attempt.
  • Students interested in honors chemistry should review the Chemistry Department鈥檚 placement page carefully before taking the exam.

If you are unsure about your chemistry preparation, the Chemistry Department also offers information about a free online General Chemistry preparation course.

UW Seattle uses Guided Self-Placement to help students choose the math course where they are most likely to be successful.

  • Complete Math Guided Self-Placement if you are planning to enroll in MATH 111, MATH 120, or MATH 124.
  • The assessment is free and online.
  • You will need a UW NetID to access it.
  • You can use the guided self-placement more than once.
  • Be honest with yourself while completing it, because the goal is to help you choose the right starting course.

If you already have AP, IB, A-Level, or college math credit, check your UW unofficial transcript and talk with your academic adviser about the best next course.

Foreign language placement tests are for admitted and enrolled UW students who plan to study a language at UW and need to find the appropriate course level.

Proficiency Test

A proficiency test measures language ability and may be used to satisfy or waive certain language requirements.

  • Proficiency tests are not used to choose your course level.
  • No credits are awarded for taking proficiency tests.
  • Plan ahead because testing and grading may take time.

Placement Test

A placement test helps determine which level of a language course you should register for.

  • Use this option if you plan to continue studying a language at UW.
  • Placement tests do not give UW credit by themselves.
  • Different languages may have different testing instructions.

The CSE 12X (Java Base) Guided Self-Placement helps students decide which introductory programming course is the best starting point.

  • CSE 121: Students with little or no programming experience.
  • CSE 122: Students with some previous programming experience (Java, Python, C, C++, etc).
  • CSE 123: Students with substantial previous Java programming experience.

The self-placement asks about your background, experience, familiarity with programming concepts, and comfort with practice problems. It is meant to guide your course choice, not to judge your ability.

Students planning to study music may need placement tests, assessments, or auditions depending on the course, instrument, and degree requirement.

  • Music theory and music history placement may allow students to be exempted from pre-core courses such as MUSIC 119 or MUSIC 120.
  • These assessments are for placement only and do not award credit.
  • Students interested in music courses, applied lessons, or music degree requirements should review School of Music advising information and contact the department if needed.