Register for a CSUN Test

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.

Chemistry Placement Test (CPT)

General CPT Information

All students planning to enroll in

  • Chemistry 101 / 101L

must take the Chemistry Placement Test (CPT) or have an approved CPT exemption. No student will be enrolled in these chemistry courses unless he or she has already passed the CPT or is exempt. The examination scores are valid for two consecutive semesters.

The CPT covers high school chemistry and applied algebra. Students who fail the CPT may enroll in CHEM 101/101L after completing CHEM 100 at CSUN with a grade of "C" or higher ("C-" is unacceptable) or after retaking the CPT with a satisfactory score. Calculators are not needed and may not be used on the CPT. For more information; contact the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Live Oak Hall (LO) Room 1300, (818) 677-3381.

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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
March 28, 2009 March 20, 2009
June 6, 2009 May 29, 2009
July 11, 2009 July 3, 2009

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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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