Chemistry Placement Test (CPT)

General CPT Information

Students may enroll in Chemistry 101 if they have passed the Chemistry Placement Test (CPT) with a score of 40 or more and must have been taken within the year preceding enrollment in these courses.

OR

Completed Chemistry 100 at CSUN with a grade of "C" or better.(Note: A grade of "C-" in Chemistry 100 is not considered passing.)

The CPT is a 60-point, three part test. PART I (20 points) covers elementary algebra including exponential notation. PART II (20 points) deals with general chemical knowledge while PART III (20 points) deals with specific chemical knowledge. Students who fail to obtain a score of 40 or more on the CPT should not retake the test, but instead enroll in Chemistry 100 to prepare for Chemistry 101 the following semester.

If you have not completed a high school chemistry course or have completed such a course more than two years ago, you should not take the CPT. Instead, you should enroll in Chemistry 100 (Introductory Chemistry) to prepare for Chemsitry 101. Completion of Chemistry 100 at CSUN with a grade of "C" or better will automatically qualify you for admission to Chemistry 101. You should be aware that approximately one-half of the students who pass the CPT with a score in the low 40's fail to earn a grade of "C" or greater in Chemistry 101.

If you feel the need to prepare for the CPT, we recommend that you review standard elementary algebra and high school level chemistry texts. These texts are usually available at most public libraries.

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CPT Exemptions

To be exempt from the CPT, students must have:

  • Score of 3, 4, or 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement Test in Chemistry
  • Score of 48 or higher on the General Chemistry Exam of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
  • Successful completion of the ELM requirement is a prerequisite for enrollment in CHEM 100.
  • Grade of "C" or higher ("C-" is unacceptable) in CHEM 100 taken at CSUN

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CPT Test Dates

The CPT is offered twice in the fall semester and four times during the spring semester. The CPT consists of 60 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 55 minutes. Students are allowed to leave early upon completion of their exam. Test dates and registration deadlines are:

Test Date Registration Deadline
11/14/09 11/06/09
12/19/09 12/11/09
01/15/10 01/08/10
03/27/10 03/19/10
05/22/10 05/14/10
07/10/10 07/02/10

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CPT Registration Information

You must register online for the Chemistry Placement Test at least one week prior to the test date. Visit the Testing Center Registration website, www.csun.edu/testing/reg, to register. Complete the registration form as directed and print your admissions ticket. Bring the admissions ticket with you the day of the test!

There is a $5 charge for the CPT, payable the day of the examination. Payment can be made by exact cash, check or money order, payable to CSUN. A picture ID is required on the day of the test. Students must know their CSUN student ID! No calculators are permitted. Students should report to Sagebrush Hall (on Plummer Street) and arrive 15 minutes early for room assignment. Students who arrive late, without required fee or ID will not be tested. A student may test only once in a 6 month period.

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Special Accommodations

If special circumstances make it impossible for you to take the test at the first available administration, you must plan to meet the requirement at the next scheduled opportunity. If your religious convictions prevent you from taking the CPT on the scheduled test dates, you must request special arrangements by contacting the Testing Center. If you have a disability that requires special accommodations, you should contact the Center on Disabilities (818) 677-2684.

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CPT Test Scores

In scoring the test only correct answers will be counted. If you have no idea which of the answers to a given question is correct, you should leave the question blank. If you happen to guess correctly answers to questions you do not understand, you may be advised to take a course for which you are not adequately prepared. Your examination results will be posted on SOLAR one week after the test. Scores can not be given over the telephone.

Passing score on the CPT is 40 correct answers to qualify for CHEM 101/101L.

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Viewing CPT scores on SOLAR

Go to CSUN at www.csun.edu.

  • Login to the Portal
  • In the section "My Path to Graduation", click on "Student Center (SOLAR)" link
  • In the "Academics" section, locate the drop down menu entitled "other academic."
  • Click on "View My Test Scores"
  • click on the blue double ">>" box

Scores are available through SOLAR approximately 1-2 weeks after the test administration. Scores are not provided over the phone or via email.

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Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday
8am - 5pm
(except State and CSU holidays)

Locations

Bayramian Hall, Rm 225
View Campus Map

Contact Information

(818) 677-2369
Testing.center@csun.edu

Questions/Comments

Have any questions or comments? Please Contact Us.