Academic Advising Academic Advising
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Step 3 - Review Placement and Proficiency Exam Information
The following departments require placement exams or previous educational experience prior to reserving spaces in certain
courses:
Mathematics
All Linfield students must demonstrate mathematics proficiency prior to graduation. This is a minimum requirement; additional coursework in mathematics may be required depending on your potential major.
The Mathematics Proficiency can be met in the following ways:
- Scoring 520 or higher on the mathematics section of the SAT
- Scoring 22 or higher on the mathematics section of the ACT
- Completion of any three-credit mathematics course at or above the level of MATH 105 with a grade of C or above (except MATH 135 and 136)
- Passing the math proficiency exam (offered during Orientation weekend)
If you have not met math proficiency with your score from the SAT or ACT math section, refer to the Mathematics Placement/Advising Worksheet and plan to enroll in an appropriate mathematics course during your first year at Linfield. Discuss taking the math proficiency exam with your faculty and peer advisor during Orientation weekend only if you feel that your SAT or ACT math score does not accurately reflect your mathematical ability and background.
If you have met the math proficiency requirement, and no additional mathematics coursework will be necessary for your potential majors or minors, than you do not need to take a math class.
Mathematics Placement
If additional mathematics coursework (beyond Math Proficiency) is required to satisfy requirements for your potential major, refer to the Mathematics Placement/Advising Worksheet to assess your math skills and select the appropriate mathematics course for you to begin in at Linfield.
Modern Languages
If you have previous experience in a foreign language in high school and would like to continue study in that language at the college level, you will need to complete a self-placement exam. The placement test is not necessary for those who are just beginning a language. Beginners reserve spaces in language courses numbered 101.
Japanese
Log into the Linfield Blackboard learning system using the instructions below:
- DO NOT use your CatNet ID, instead the user name is JapanStudent and password is JapanTest
- Once you have logged in, select the "Japanese Placement Exam"
- Follow the instructions and walk yourself through the self-assessment exam
- Follow the instructions in Stage 3 for selecting the appropriate Japanese course for Fall semester
French
Log into the online placement exam
Password: wildcats1
Follow these instructions to complete the exam:
- Select French from the drop down menu
- Enter required contact information (first name, last name and Linfield email address). Do not enter your Linfield Student ID
- Complete the French exam, remembering to save your answers
- After you complete the exam, record your score (ignore the course information included online and follow the below instructions)
In addition to the online test, you are required to write two very short essays in French.
This two-part assignment will bring your strengths and weaknesses to the fore, thereby helping the French faculty determine your level of proficiency, ergo your class, with greater accuracy. This is not a graded assignment, of course; there is no passing or failing. However, you must work without any outside help and complete both assignments within 60 minutes. If it is absolutely impossible for you to complete both essays (if you do not know the past tense in French, for instance), simply do your best.
Part 1. Introduce yourself and describe (in French) a typical week day in high school or a typical holiday (during the weekend), from the time you awaken in the morning until you go to sleep at night. Use the present tense. (100 words)
Part 2. Describe (in French) what you did during your last trip away from home (to the coast, the countryside or abroad). Use the past tenses that you know. (100 words)
Email your online placement score and your written responses (in text of the email) to french@linfield.edu. The French department will respond to your message with information about which French course you should reserve space in for Fall.
German
Log into the online placement exam
Password: wildcats1
Follow these instructions to complete the exam:
- Select German from the drop down menu
- Enter required contact information (first name, last name and Linfield email address). Do not enter your Student ID
- Complete the German exam, remembering to save your answers
- After you complete the exam, record your score (ignore the course information included online and follow the instructions below)
In addition to the online test, you are required to write two very short essays in German.
This two-part assignment will bring your strengths andand weaknesses to the fore, thereby helping the German faculty determine your level of proficiency, ergo your class, with greater accuracy. This is not a graded assignment, of course; there is no passing or failing. Work without any outside help and complete both assignments within 60 minutes. If it is absolutely impossible for you to complete both essays, simply do your best
Part 1. Introduce yourself by writing (in German) something about your family, your interests, and your town. (50 words)
Part 2. Write a response to the following situation (in German): You're in a German or Austrian city, ready to spend a terrific weekend pursuing all those exciting activities you heard about back home: going to different musical events, museums, and restaurants. A good friend from Linfield will come and visit you for this terrific weekend. Describe for him/her in detail your plans, telling when you'll go where, how long you'll stay there, why that seems like a good idea, and what things you expect to see and do underway. Plan a good time, but don't try to do everything in just one weekend. (200 words)
Email your online placement score and your written responses (in text of the email) to german@linfield.edu. The German department will respond to your message with information about which German course you should
reserve space in for Fall.
Spanish
- If you have completed 2 or less years of high school Spanish, plan to enroll in MLSP 101: Elementary Spanish
- If you have completed more than 2 years of high school Spanish, take the self-placement exam online through Blackboard (see directions below) to see if you are eligible for MLSP 105. MLSP 105 is an intensive one semester Spanish course that covers materials in MLSP 101 and MLSP 102, Elementary Spanish
- If you have at least 3 years of high school Spanish, or one year of study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country, take the online self-placement exam to determine your appropriate first semester course
To complete the Spanish placement exam, please follow the below steps:
Step 1: Enroll in Blackboard and Access the Online Placement Exam Class
- Visit the Linfield Blackboard learning system
- Click on "View Course List" near the bottom left side of the screen
- Click on "Academic Advising"
- Click on the little green arrow next to "Online Placement Exams"
- Under "Actions" on the right side of the screen, click on the small icon displaying a person with a green box containing a white cross. A dialog box will open
- Enter your CatNet ID information in the dialog box and submit. You are now enrolled in the Online Placement Exam course in Blackboard!
- Log into the Linfield Blackboard learning system using your CatNet ID and password in the dialog box in the upper left corner
- Select "Online Placement Exams" - this link should appear in your course list
- Select the Spanish folder icon
- Review the Spanish Self-Placement Exam instructions (select "more" to see the entire text in a pop-out window)
- Select "Begin Assessments"
- Select and complete the 60 minute Spanish exam
- Select "Assessments" from left-hand column
- Select "Review all Submissions"
- Record your score
- Review the document, "How to interpret your Spanish Placement score"
- Reserve a space in the appropriate courses for Fall Semester
NOTE: Your Spanish placement will not be complete until you sit for the written portion of the exam during Orientation Weekend. Chat with your advisor once you arrive on campus to make sure you attend this placement exam.
American Sign Language
If you plan to study American Sign Language and have studied the language before for one year or more, please enroll in MLSL 201, Intermediate Sign Language I. If you have never studied the language before, simply enroll in MLSL 101: Elementary Sign Language I.
Chinese
If you plan to study Chinese and have studied the language before for one year or more, please enroll in MLCH 201: Intermediate Chinese I. If you have never studied the language before, simply enroll in MLCH 101: Elementary Chinese I.
Hebrew/Greek
The primary focus of the Hebrew and Greek classes offered at Linfield are to equip students with the tools to read the Hebrew Bible and New Testament. Hebrew and Greek are presented as research languages (this involves learning grammar and tools for interpretation of texts) but classes are not geared towards speaking the language. Students interested in learning how to work with primary texts of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and New Testament are encouraged to enroll in Hebrew or Greek courses.
Common Questions About Modern Languages Placement:
Do I have to continue with a foreign language in my first semester at Linfield?
You are not required to continue with a foreign language during your first semester at Linfield. If, however, you are interested in majoring or minoring in a foreign language you are encouraged to continue with your foreign language study in your first semester at Linfield.
What if the course I place into is not available in Fall 2009?
Plan to enroll in the course when it is offered (most likely Spring Semseter). Don't dismay - once you are on campus go to the Modern Language department (on the third floor of Walker Hall) and inquire about language discussion groups. These groups usually meet in the evenings and can offer you an opportunity to continue your language practice even if you are not studying the language in the classroom.
Do I have to take a placement exam in Spanish (or any other language) if I have never studied Spanish before?
No. The placement exams are only offered for students who want to continue in a language with which they have previous experience.
I have experience with a language other than those listed above - is my language offered at Linfield and how I would I figure placement?
Linfield College offers language classes in:
- American Sign Language
- Chinese
- French
- German
- Greek
- Hebrew
- Japanese
- Latin
- Spanish
The Modern Languages offers placement exams in Japanese, French, German, and Spanish. If you have experience in one of the other languages noted above without a placement, contact your Faculty Advisor and/or the Office of Academic Advising to discuss how to make your course reservations appropriately.
Chemistry
First-year students interested in enrolling in General Chemistry, CHEM 210, can automatically reserve a space through WebAdvisor if they meet one of the following requirements:
- SAT Math score of 560 or above
- ACT MATH score of 24
Students whose SAT/ACT math scores do not meet the above requirements need to complete an online advising/placement exam prior to reserving a space in CHEM 210. This advising/placement exam will evaluate your science and math background and provide valuable information that will help illustrate your academic preparation for General Chemistry.
Follow these steps to take the Chemistry online advising/placement exam:
Step 1: Enroll in Blackboard and Access the Online Placement Exam Class
- Visit the Linfield Blackboard learning system
- Click on "View Course List" near the bottom left side of the screen
- Click on "Academic Advising"
- Click on the small green arrow next to "Online Placement Exams"
- Under "Actions" on the right side of the screen, click on the small icon displaying a person with a green box containing a white cross. A dialog box will open
- Enter your CatNet ID information in the dialog box and submit. You are now enrolled in the Online Placement Exam course on Blackboard!
Step 2: Complete Chemistry Placement exam
- Log into the Linfield Blackboard learning system using your CatNet ID and password in the dialog box in the upper left corne
- Select "Online Placement Exams" - this link should appear in your course list
- Select the Chemistry folder icon
- Review the General Chemistry Advising Exam instructions (select "more" to see the entire text in a pop-out window)
- Select "Assessments" from the left-hand menu
- Select and complete 20 minute Chemistry exam
- Record your score
- Review the document, "How to interpret your General Chemistry advising exam score"
- Reserve spaces in the appropriate courses for Fall Semester
Common Questions About Chemistry Placement:
What if the advising/placement exam recommends against my enrolling in CHEM 210 in the Fall and I need it for my major? Will I be behind?
If you are advised against enrollment in CHEM 210, plan to enroll in the course during your second year at Linfield. In the meantime, review the Area of Interest Grid and reserve spaces in other recommended courses for the majors/minors you are considering. Very few majors at Linfield require students to enroll in specific coursework during their first semester in college. If you are worried about being behind, contact your Faculty Advisor and/or the Office of Academic Advising.
If you are advised against enrollment in CHEM 210, plan to enroll in the course during your second year at Linfield. In the meantime, review the Area of Interest Grid and reserve spaces in other recommended courses for the majors/minors you are considering. Very few majors at Linfield require students to enroll in specific coursework during their first semester in college. If you are worried about being behind, contact your Faculty Advisor and/or the Office of Academic Advising.
What if I want to enroll in CHEM 210 even though it is not advised by the department?
If you feel that the Chemistry placement exam is not an accurate representation of your science skills and you would like to enroll in CHEM 210, even though the department recommends against it, plan to chat with your Faculty Advisor and/or the Office of Academic Advising prior to submitting your course reservations. Consider the math self-placement/advising form for your math placement. Success in General Chemistry depends on a fundamental working knowledge of precalculus principles.
Biology
First-year students interested in enrolling in Principles of Biology, BIOL 210 can automatically reserve a space through WebAdvisor if they meet one of the following requirements:
- SAT Critical Reading and Mathematics combined score of 1070 (or higher)
- ACT of 23 (or higher)
Students whose SAT/ACT scores do not meet the above requirements need to follow these instructions in order to reserve a seat in BIOL 210.
- Reserve seats in courses totaling 12-15 credits (not including BIOL 210)
- Reserve a seat in the SPEC BIOL course during the online course reservation process. This course is available on the Fall 2009 course schedule and selecting it indicates your interest in BIOL 210.
- Plan to discuss your academic background and preparation for BIOL 210 with your Faculty Advisor during Orientation weekend.
Common Questions About Biology Placement:
What if I want to enroll in the course even if it is not advised by the department?
In the experience of the Biology Department, students who score less than 1070 on the SAT or 23 on the ACT are unlikely to perform well in BIOL 210. The department does not recommend the course for students with lower scores. However, if you plan a major that requires BIOL 210, you will be able to register for the class for the following fall. If your plans require you to take BIOL 210 this fall and your ACT/SAT is lower than 1070 or 23, plan to review your academic background and preparation for BIOL 210 with your Faculty Advisor during Orientation weekend as you may be able to add this course to your schedule.
In the experience of the Biology Department, students who score less than 1070 on the SAT or 23 on the ACT are unlikely to perform well in BIOL 210. The department does not recommend the course for students with lower scores. However, if you plan a major that requires BIOL 210, you will be able to register for the class for the following fall. If your plans require you to take BIOL 210 this fall and your ACT/SAT is lower than 1070 or 23, plan to review your academic background and preparation for BIOL 210 with your Faculty Advisor during Orientation weekend as you may be able to add this course to your schedule.
What if my advisor recommends against my enrolling in BIOL 210 in the Fall and I need it for my major? Will I be behind?
If you are advised against enrollment in BIOL 210, plan to enroll in the course during your second year at Linfield. In the meantime, review the Advising Information by Area of Interest and the Area of Interest Grid and reserve seats in other recommended courses for the majors/minors you are considering. Very few majors at Linfield require students to enroll in specific coursework during their first term in college. If you are worried about being behind, contact your Faculty Advisor and/or the Office of Academic Advising.
Continue to Step 4 to plan for your Fall semester course reservations