Fall 2012 Placement Exams and Course Placement
Some departments require that you pass a placement exam before you may enroll in a particular course. Others have policies that determine which course you will be placed into. Please refer to the department or area below for more information. A picture ID card is required at all placement exams.
- Chemistry (CHEM 161, 171)
- East Asian Languages (Chinese, Japanese, Korean)
- European Languages (French, German, Spanish)
- Hawaiian Language
- Indo-Pacific Languages (Filipino, Ilokano)
- Mathematics (MATH 140, 203, 215, 241, 251A)
- Music
- Physics 151
- Foundations-Written Communication (FW) Placement (ENG 100, 100A, 190 & ELI 073, 100)
- English Language Institute (Students Whose Native Language is Not English)
Chemistry (CHEM 161, 171)
http://www.manoa.hawaii.edu/chem
Students who wish to enroll in the following chemistry courses must first pass the Prechemistry Assessment exam.
CHEM 161, General Chemistry I
CHEM 171, Principles of Chemistry
See the Chemistry Department's website http://www.manoa.hawaii.edu/chem for schedule information. Students are allowed to take the exam twice per semester but not on the same day.
Students may be waived from taking the Prechemistry Assessment for CHEM 161 if they received a grade of "C" (not "C-") in CHEM 151 taken at UH Mānoa (transfer credit not accepted). Contact the Chemistry Department for an approval override code at 956-7480 or email office@gold.chem.hawaii.edu.
Doing well in CHEM 161 and 171 depends on, among other things, a thorough understanding of all prerequisite material. Passing the Prechemistry Assessment should not by itself be regarded as a guarantee of success.
East Asian Languages (Chinese, Japanese, Korean)
Students with no prior Chinese, Japanese or Korean language experience should enroll in CHN, JPN or KOR 101 (or 111). If your language proficiency is judged to be beyond the 101-level on the first day of class, you will be placed in a higher level course. Students who are placed in 102 or a higher level may complete the language requirement faster and also earn back credits. Visit the Manoa back credit policy at http://www.hawaii.edu/gened/HSL/Guidelines2010.pdf. Students starting from 101 will receive no back credits. A placement adjustment made in the first week of class does not guarantee a seat in the course appropriate for the student.
Students with prior experience in the language (i.e., formal classroom training, residence in the country of its use, cohabitation with a native speaker, etc.) are required to take a placement test.
Currently enrolled students: Placement exams will be given by individual appointment only. To register for an exam, contact Duane Henry (Moore 378; 956-2066; henryd@hawaii.edu).
Fall 2012 incoming students: Walk-in exams will be offered throughout the day on August 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Report to Moore 378 between 8:00 am and 2:30 pm on any of those dates. If you are unable to attend any of these sessions, contact Duane Henry (Moore 378; 956-2066; henryd@hawaii.edu).
| Date | Fall 2012
Incoming Mānoa Students Walk-In Exam Times (no reservation necessary) |
Location |
|---|---|---|
| August 3 | 8:00 am - 2:30 pm (exam will take about one hour) | Moore 378 |
| August 6 | 8:00 am - 2:30 pm (exam will take about one hour) | Moore 378 |
| August 7 | 8:00 am - 2:30 pm (exam will take about one hour) | Moore 378 |
| August 8 | 8:00 am - 2:30 pm (exam will take about one hour) | Moore 378 |
| August 9 | 8:00 am - 2:30 pm (exam will take about one hour) | Moore 378 |
| August 10 | 8:00 am - 2:30 pm (exam will take about one hour) | Moore 378 |
European Languages (French, German, Spanish)
For more information about other European Languages, call the Department of Languages and Literatures of Europe and the Americas at 956-4187.
French:
Continuing UH system French students may continue on to the next course.
Students with no prior French language experience should enroll in FR 101.
If you have prior French language experience (i.e., high school instruction, residence in a French speaking country, live with native speakers, etc.), you are encouraged to take the placement exam, except those students with college credit for French classes.
Registration is not required; test is given on a walk-in basis as space permits. Please arrive on time.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| April 18 | 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm | Moore 109 |
| April 19 | 9:00 am - 10:00 am | Moore 104 |
| August 8 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am | Moore 465 |
For more information or if you are not able to attend the placement exam at the times noted, contact Jacob Huss (jacob@hawaii.edu).
German:
Students with no prior German language experience should enroll in GER 101. Anyone wanting to enroll in GER 101 may do so without consent.
Native or near-native speakers do not need a placement exam, and must enroll in GER 312 or GER 371 (after receiving an approval from Moore 464, phone 956-4187) to satisfy the language requirement and obtain back credits.
Non-native speakers of German with prior experience (i.e., high school or college instruction, residence in a German-speaking country or household) who need assistance with placement in a course above GER 101 should take the placement exam at one of the times listed below.
Registration is not required; test is given on a walk-in basis as space permits. Please arrive on time. The test takes approximately 30 minutes. Results are given upon completion of the test.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| April 30 | 9:30 am - 10:30 am | Moore 454 |
| August 16 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am | Moore 475 |
| August 22 | 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm | Moore 475 |
For more information, contact Anna Hawajska-Waters (hawajska@hawaii.edu).
Spanish:
Continuing UH system Spanish students should continue on to the next course (see Spanish Division for assistance).
Students with no prior Spanish language experience should request approval from the Spanish Division (956-7177; 956-6191; 956-4187) and enroll in SPAN 101. If you are enrolled in SPAN 101 and your language proficiency is judged to be beyond the 101-level on the first day of class, you will be placed in a higher level course. Students who are placed in 102 or a higher level may complete the language requirement faster and also earn back credits. Visit the UH Mānoa back credit policy at http://www.hawaii.edu/gened/HSL/Guidelines2010.pdf. Students starting from 101 will receive no back credits. A placement adjustment made in the first week of class does not guarantee a seat in the course appropriate for the student.
If you have prior Spanish language experience (i.e., high school instruction, residence in a Spanish speaking country, live with native speakers, etc.), you must take the placement exam, except those students with college credit for Spanish classes.
Registration is not required; test is given on a walk-in basis as space permits. Please arrive on time. The test is free and takes approximately 20 - 30 minutes. Results are given upon completion of the test.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| April 16 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| April 17 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| April 18 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| April 19 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| April 20 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| April 23 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| April 24 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| April 25 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| April 26 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| April 27 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| August 2 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| August 14 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| August 15 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| August 16 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| August 20 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| August 21 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| August 22 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| August 23 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
| August 24 | 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | Moore 153 |
For more information, contact Rachel Mamiya Hernandez (956-3347; rmamiya@hawaii.edu).
For questions about registering into other Spanish courses, please call 956-5833 or 956-4440.
Hawaiian Language
http://manoa.hawaii.edu/olelo/
Placement exam is required for students enrolling with prior Hawaiian language experience. If you have prior Hawaiian language experience (i.e., high school, Papa Kaiapuni, lived with native speakers, etc.), you must register to complete the Hawaiian Language Placement Exam in order to qualify for UH Mānoa back credits and/or waive credits.
Placement exam is recommended for students enrolling in advanced courses in Hawaiian language. We encourage students who have not been recently engaged in using Hawaiian frequently, to consider taking a placement exam if they are interested in taking advanced courses (300-400 level courses) in Hawaiian language. You must register for the exam.
Placement Exam Results
- Valid for One Year: The exam results are valid for one year from the date of exam. The results are final and cannot be appealed.
- Use of Results: For placement purposes into credit courses, the results of the exam are only valid at UH Mānoa. The results may or may not be valid or acceptable at other universities and community colleges.
- Results Reported: Allow four weeks after the exam for results to be reported. Unless otherwise requested, exam results will be emailed.
Take the Exam Early
Since results of the placement exam are used to place students into appropriate Hawaiian language levels and courses, it is to the student's advantage to take the exam well in advance of the UH Mānoa registration period. Test early!
Placement Exam Registration
Contact Dr. Kamuela KaʻAhanui, academic advisor (956-7637; kukakuka@hawaii.edu) to register for one of the following exam sessions (4 hours: read, write, speak, listen, record and reason). Only complete registration applications will be accepted. Space is limited. No walk-in registrations.
| Date* | Time | Location | Registration Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, April 3 | 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Moore 155B | March 28 |
| Wednesday, April 4 | 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Moore 155B | March 28 |
| Wednesday, July 25 | 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Moore 155B | July 18 |
* Please call 956-7637 or email kukakuka@hawaii.edu for future test dates.
Placement Exam is not required for:
-
Students Enrolling in HAW 101
-
You may enroll in HAW 101 with no prior consent or prerequisites. A placement exam is not required.
-
-
Continuing UH System Students
-
You may continue to enroll in the next Hawaiian language course for which you are eligible to meet your Hawaiian or second language requirements for your degree.
-
-
Students Enrolling with Prior College Credits in Hawaiian Language
-
If you have already earned equivalent college credits for Hawaiian language (i.e., 100 – 200 level courses at a community college or other accredited university with a C (not C-) grade or better) taking the placement exam is optional. However, the placement exam is strongly recommended if you are interested in taking advanced courses (300 - 400 level courses) in Hawaiian language.
-
For more information regarding the Hawaiian Language Placement Exam, including questions from non-UH system students, please visit http://manoa.hawaii.edu/olelo/ or contact Dr. Kamuela KaʻAhanui, academic advisor (956-7637; kukakuka@hawaii.edu).
Indo-Pacific Languages (Filipino, Ilokano)
Please call 956-8672 or email hip@hawaii.edu to schedule a placement test for courses numbered above 101 for the following languages: Arabic, Cambodian, Chamorro, Hindi, Indonesian, Maori, Marshallese, Samoan, Sanskrit, Tahitian, Thai, Tongan and Vietnamese.
Filipino:
Students with no prior Filipino language experience should enroll in FIL 101. Anyone wanting to enroll in FIL 101 may do so without consent.
If you have prior Filipino language experience (i.e., high school instruction, live with native speakers, etc.), you can take the placement exam to enroll in courses above FIL 101.
Contact Dr. Pia Arboleda (389-2561; pca62@hawaii.edu) to register for one of the following exam sessions at least two days before the exam date. Please arrive on time. The test is free.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| April 26 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Spalding 456 |
| April 27 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Spalding 456 |
| August 15 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Spalding 456 |
| August 22 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Spalding 456 |
Ilokano:
Students with no prior Ilokano language experience should enroll in ILO 101. Anyone wanting to enroll in ILO 101 may do so without consent.
If you have prior Ilokano language experience (i.e., high school instruction, live with native speakers, etc.), you can take the placement exam to enroll in courses above ILO 101.
Contact Dr. Aurelio Agcaoili (956-8405; aurelioa@hawaii.edu) to register for one of the following exam sessions before the exam date. Please arrive on time. The test is free.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| April 25 | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm by appointment (allow 1 hour) | Spalding 455A |
| April 26 | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm by appointment (allow 1 hour) | Spalding 455A |
| April 27 | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm by appointment (allow 1 hour) | Spalding 455A |
| May 2 | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm by appointment (allow 1 hour) | Spalding 455A |
| May 3 | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm by appointment (allow 1 hour) | Spalding 455A |
| May 4 | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm by appointment (allow 1 hour) | Spalding 455A |
| August 1 | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm by appointment (allow 1 hour) | Spalding 455A |
| August 2 | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm by appointment (allow 1 hour) | Spalding 455A |
| August 3 | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm by appointment (allow 1 hour) | Spalding 455A |
| August 4 | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm by appointment (allow 1 hour) | Spalding 455A |
| August 6 | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm by appointment (allow 1 hour) | Spalding 455A |
| August 7 | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm by appointment (allow 1 hour) | Spalding 455A |
Mathematics (MATH 140, 203, 215, 241, 251A)
http://www.math.hawaii.edu/ - Select the Undergrad tab, Lower Division tab, then click on "Placement."
Students who wish to enroll in the following math courses must first pass the Math Assessment Exam. Students should then obtain approval from the Mathematics Department in Keller 419 before registering.
- MATH 140, Precalculus
- MATH 203, Calculus for Business and Social Sciences
- MATH 215, Applied Calculus I
- MATH 241, Calculus I
- MATH 251A, Accelerated Calculus I
- PHYS 151, College Physics I
Some students may be waived from taking the exam. Although waived, these students must still obtain approval from the Mathematics Department. Visit the Math Department's website for exceptions and more detailed information. For questions, contact the Mathematics Department (956-4679, 956-7951) or email shirley@math.hawaii.edu. For questions about PHYS 151 and approval, contact the Physics Department (Watanabe 416; 956-7087; physics@hawaii.edu).
Registration can be done online by going to the Math Department's website beginning April 2 for an April exam and beginning July 24 for an August exam. Students with reservations will be allowed in the exam room before the walk-ins.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| April 16 | 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Physical Science 208 |
| April 16 | 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm | Physical Science 208 |
| April 25 | 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Physical Science 208 |
| April 25 | 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm | Physical Science 208 |
| July 12 | 3:30 pm Walk-in only. No reservation necessary. | Physical Science 208 |
| July 17 | 3:30 pm Walk-in only. No reservation necessary. | Physical Science 208 |
| July 19 | 3:30 pm Walk-in only. No reservation necessary. | Physical Science 208 |
| July 23 | 3:30 pm Walk-in only. No reservation necessary. | Physical Science 208 |
| August 7 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Physical Science 208 |
| August 7 | 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Physical Science 208 |
| August 7 | 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Physical Science 208 |
| August 7 | 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm | Physical Science 208 |
| August 9 | 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm | Physical Science 208 |
| August 9 | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Physical Science 208 |
| August 9 | 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm | Physical Science 208 |
| August 9 | 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Physical Science 208 |
| August 13 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Walk-in only. No reservation necessary. |
Physical Science 208 |
| August 14 | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Walk-in only. No reservation necessary. |
Physical Science 208 |
| August 16 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am | Physical Science 208 |
| August 16 | 11:00 am - 12:00 noon | Physical Science 208 |
| August 20 | 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm | Physical Science 208 |
| August 23 | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Physical Science 208 |
Music
http://www.hawaii.edu/uhmmusic/
All music majors must report for advising (mandatory) every semester. Students planning to register for restricted music courses, variable credit music courses, or applied music courses, which require departmental approval, must obtain approval (and Course Reference Numbers for courses not shown on the Check Class Availability course listings) in-person during these dates from the appropriate Music Department personnel (advisor or chairperson).
Students enrolled in applied music courses will be assessed a fee of $55.00 per 1 credit and $90.00 per 2 or more credits.
| Advising for Continuing Classified Students: | April 9 to 27 |
|---|---|
| Advising for Incoming Classified Students: | August 13 to 16 |
For more information, contact the Music Department office (Music Building 3; 956-7756).
Physics (PHYS 151)
All students who wish to enroll in PHYS 151 must have a grade of "C" or better in MATH 140 (precalculus with trigonometry), or Math 215 or higher; OR have received a passing score on the Mathematics Department's Assessment Exam. Please see details for this exam in the "Mathematics" section of the placement exams and reserve a space at one of the scheduled test sessions. If you attain a qualifying score, you should be able to register for PHYS 151 approximately one business day after your Assessment Exam. For more information, contact the Physics Department (Watanabe 416; 956-7087; physics@hawaii.edu).
Foundations-Written Communication (FW) Placement (ENG 100, 100A*, 190 and ELI 073, 100)
http://www.hawaii.edu/gened/foundations_fulfillFW.htm
IMPORTANT: Students must complete their FW requirement in their first year at UH Mānoa.
Placement into an FW course is determined as follows:
- Native speakers of English are placed into ENG 190 if they receive 25 or more transfer credits for their non-UH Mānoa courses. All other native English speakers are placed into ENG 100. ENG 100 students should visit http://www.hawaii.edu/gened/foundations_ENG100options.htm to choose the type of instruction that best suits their writing needs.
- Non-native speakers of English are placed based on ELI exemption criteria (if exempt), or by taking the ELI's writing placement test. Visit http://www.hawaii.edu/eli/ and select "Information for Students," then select "Who is Exempt from the ELI, and Who is Not Exempt?" for ELI exemption criteria.
- Those who are exempt from the ELI based on attending school for 6 years or more in the U.S., Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom are placed as described in the "Native speakers of English" section, above. (Students who are exempt based on years of schooling but feel their writing is more non-native-like should contact the ELI.)
- Those who are exempt from the ELI based on other exemption criteria are placed into ELI 100.
- Those who do not meet any ELI exemption criteria must take the ELI's writing test. (Please see details in the next section.)
FW Exemption: All entering students whose test scores reflect significant academic achievement will be sent a letter inviting them to submit a collection of writing for possible credit for and exemption from ENG 100/ELI 100. Students who do not have test scores on file but who feel that they already possess the ability to write proficiently should contact the General Education Office (gened@hawaii.edu) before the end of their first semester at UH Mānoa if they are interested in submitting a collection for review. Visit http://www.hawaii.edu/gened/foundations_FWcollection.htm and select "The Collection Option" for details.
* ENG 100A is an Honors version of ENG 100 (Composition I). Interested students should contact the Honors Program at 956-8391 or email honors@hawaii.edu for details.
English Language Institute (Students Whose Native Language is Not English)
All students who have English as a second language and do not meet ELI exemption criteria are required to take the ELI Placement Test for possible placement into listening/speaking, reading and writing courses. Visit the ELI website or the UH Mānoa Catalog for a list of ELI exemption criteria and more information about ELI courses.
Registration can be done online at http://www.hawaii.edu/eli/students/eliptreg.html or in-person at Moore 570.
| Date | Time | Location | Registration Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 9 | 8:15 am - 1:00 pm | To Be Announced | August 8, 2:00 pm |
| August 14 | 8:15 am - 1:00 pm | To Be Announced | August 13, 2:00 pm |
| August 16 | 8:15 am - 1:00 pm | To Be Announced | August 15, 2:00 pm |
| August 22 | 4:45 pm - 9:30 pm | To Be Announced | August 22, 12:00 noon |