Chemistry Placement Exam Information

     All students wishing to take Chemistry 2A or Chemistry 2AH must take the Chemistry Diagnostic Exam. Firm cutoff points have been established for students intending to enroll in these courses are listed below as well as exam details, what to bring to the exam and how to prepare for the exam.

The Chemistry and Precalculus Qualifying Exams are required of all students intending to take Chem 2A or 2AH. The Chemistry Department will drop students who do not obtain the required scores on both exams.

If you do not score highly enough for Chem 2A, you may enroll in Workload 110C (formally WLD 41C), a pre-chemistry course offered by Sacramento City College on the Davis campus. Workload 110C carries three (3) workload units that count for minimum progress and financial aid eligibility, but not towards graduation. You may not, however, enroll in Workload 110C if you passed the Chemistry Qualifying Exam or if you have not taken the exam.

Students arriving late will not be admitted!

Current Testing dates

    CHEMISTRY EXAMS:

    Summer Session 1: Tue. 06/24/08 10:00am 3216 Dutton.

    Summer Session 1 students only

What to bring?


   (IMPORTANT for Admittance)
    • Student I.D. Number
    • Picture ID
    • Number 2 pencil

How the Chemistry Exam is Scored?

Courses Required Chemistry Exam Score Required Precalculus Exam Score
Chemistry 2A
21 or higher
25 or higher (must qualify for Math 12)
Chemistry 2AH
30 or higher
35 or higher and 3 trig
(must qualify for Math 21A)
Workload 110C
20 or less
---
 

Note1: The cutoff points above (21, 30, 25 and 35) are MINIMUM SCORES
      and that course recommendations should be carefully considered when
      selecting a course.

 

Helpful Notes about the Chemistry Exam

  • This is a 44-question, 45-minutes U.C./C.S.U. Chemistry Exam
  • A periodic table and a list of abbreviations and symbols are included with the exam
  • Review your Basic Chemistry:
  • May also enroll into WLD 110C (WLD stands for workload - Offered only in Fall quarter at UCD) that provides 3 units of credit toward minimum progress and verification of full-time status, but provides no units toward graduation or grade point average before taking the Chemistry Diagnostic Exam.
    See LSC office for Details.

Things to Keep in Mind

  • All Exams are administered during:
    • Summer Advising and Orientation
      • AND
    • Orientation week of ALL quarters which exams are required by courses
  • Obtain a second opinion: Share your test results with your advisor or counselor, who can help you choose the right course.

Topics Covered by the Chem Exam

Topics can include

  • Basic Math/Algebra Skills
  • Scientific Notation Calculations
  • Unit Conversion Calculations
  • Density Calculations
  • Percent Mass Calculations
  • Reading and Balancing Chemical Formulas and Reactions
  • Types of Reactions (Combustion, Neutralization, etc.)
  • Stoichiometry (Mole/Mole or Gram/Mole Conversions)
  • Molarity Calculations
  • Ideal Gas Law Calculations
  • Atomic/Molecular Structure and Properties:
    • Mass Number, Protons, Neutrons, Electrons
    • Lewis Electron Dot Structures
    • Polar Bonds
  • Chemistry Theories and Concepts:
    • Phase Diagrams
    • States of Matter
    • Periodicity and Group Trends of Elements (Metals, Semimetals, and Nonmetals; Radii Size, etc.)
    • Equilibrium Expression
    • LeChatelier's Principle
    • Potential Energy Diagram
    • Heating Curve
    • Kinetic Molecular Theory
    • pH Concepts