Placement Tests

Access | Biology | Chemistry| English | Foreign Languages
Mathematics | Physics | Pre-Nursing Biology | Pre-Nursing Chemistry

Mills is committed to helping new students make a successful transition to our institution. We require entering students to take one or more of the placement tests listed below. These tests help you and your advisor make good decisions about your first year course schedule. The College also uses information gleaned from the aggregate scores of these tests to fine tune its curriculum. In no instance will these scores be recorded on your transcript nor will they affect your admissions status or financial aid award.

Please read the instructions for each test carefully as there are differences in timing and procedure among them.

If you have any questions or concerns about the assessment tests please contact Andrew Workman at 510.430.2347 or aworkman@mills.edu.

How to access the placement tests

If you have never accessed the Mills Portal you will need to set your password first. Please follow the directions on the Set Your Password for the First Time page.

If you have never accessed Blackboard, but have accessed the Mills Portal, you may need to reset your password. First login to the Mills Portal and then click on the "Change Your Password..." link in the lefthand area of the portal homepage and follow the rules for changing your password.

1. Tests become available after June 15, 2009.
   Launch Internet Explorer on a PC or Safari or Firefox on a Mac.
2. Go to http://portal.mills.edu and login using your Mills username (You can also login via your SSN or Banner ID).
3. Click on the “Blackboard for Mills” link in the upper right corner of the browser window.
4. Click on the Blackboard "Courses" tab in the new window that opens up.
5. Type "placement" in the "Course Search" field and click “GO!”
6. Select the placement test you wish to access by clicking on "Enroll."
7. On the Self-Enrollment page, click "Submit."
8. Click "OK" to continue to the Placement Test homepage.
9. After reading all the information regarding your test, click on the "Take the Assessment" link in the left navigation area to access the test.

Biology Placement Test

The General Biology (Biology 001) test is designed to let you, your advisor, and the Biology department, know whether you have the necessary background in chemistry and mathematics to enable you to do well in Biology 001. We request that you also take the Chemistry placement test.

Students entering as first year students usually take Chemistry 017–018 in their first year and Biology 001–002 in their second year; however, those with unusually strong backgrounds in chemistry may be able to take the two courses concurrently. Transfer students and post-baccalaureate students may need to take these courses concurrently; in this case, the placement tests will still allow us to evaluate your level of preparation.

The Biology placement test consists of 20 multiple choice problems, and should take you no more than a half hour. You should take the test "closed book." You do not need a calculator for any of the problems. You may take the test only once, so be sure you have time to complete it.

When should I take the test?
This test may be taken before your arrival for Orientation, but must be completed by August 21.
(Note: The Chemistry placement test should be taken BEFORE the Biology placement test.)

Chemistry Placement Test

This test should be taken by all students interested in taking Chemistry 017, the foundation course for science majors. It consists of 20 multiple choice problems, and should take no more than an hour. It does not require access to any outside information and should be taken as a "closed book" test. You will need a calculator for this test.

When should I take the test?
This test may be taken before your arrival for Orientation, but must be completed by August 21.

English One Placement Test

The English Placement Test is an online writing assessment that allows us to serve you best as a new Mills writer and scholar.

Every entering undergraduate student must take this test if they have not:

• scored a “4” or above on the Advanced Placement Test; or
• transferred an approved expository writing course credit (literature credits do not count) from another college (check with M Center for specific details).

If you do not have transfer AP or course credit, you must take the English Placement Test. All entering undergraduates who do not meet one of the above criteria are required to take ENG 001. This assessment determines if you would benefit from English 005, the companion workshop to English 001, or from English 01YA or 01YB. The essays are read by the English Department and are scored by how well they demonstrate: critical thinking and analysis, use of text, logical organization and development of ideas, and facility with conventions of Standard English grammar. Spelling does not affect your score. Each essay is read and scored by at least two professors. We will assign you to the appropriate course based on your score; you
will find out your course assignment from your academic advisor.

When should I take the test?
This test should be completed by August 10, 2009. We will assign you to the appropriate course based on your score; you will find out your course assignment from your academic advisor.

French Placement Test

The French placement test is designed to help you and the French faculty to determine your appropriate level in French. All students who have already taken some French in high school or at another institution, and are interested in continuing French at Mills (at any level) should take this test.

When and how do I take the test?
A.  The written part is a series of short questions that you can complete online at any time using the instructions above. You must take the written portion before you come in for the oral interview during orientation. It should take you between 30 and 45 minutes.

B. The oral part is a short interview (10 minutes) with the Mills French faculty to see how well you speak and understand spoken French. This is important because all French classes at Mills are taught exclusively in the language. Your speaking ability may not be the same as your writing.

You must come and sign up for one 10-minute slot during interview times which will be on Monday August 24 between 9:00 and 11:00 am. The sign-up sheets will be posted in Mills Hall, third floor, outside the door of office 328.

For any questions regarding the placement test of French Studies at Mills, please contact Professors Christian Marouby, 510.430.2215 maro@mills.edu or Brinda Mehta, 510.430.2212 mehta@mills.edu.

Spanish Placement Test

If you are new to Mills and are interested in enrolling in a Spanish course other than SPAN 001, you should take the Spanish Placement Test. You do not need to take the test if you are enrolling in SPAN 001.

When should I take the test?
This test may be taken before your arrival for Orientation, but must be completed by August 21. Please contact Professor Mena Borges at mborges@mills.edu or 510.430.2199 if you have questions.

Mathematics Assessment and Placement Test

All incoming first year students and transfer students are required to take the Mathematics Assessment and Placement Test prior to the beginning of classes. The results from this short quiz serve two purposes. First they will help you and your advisor to select an appropriate quantitative skills class. Note that the scores are only advisory and that you need not take a class that satisfies this general education requirement during your first semester. Second, this test will help Mills to better understand the level of mathematics preparation of entering students as a group. We will use this knowledge to guide the development of courses and other programs in this area to serve best our students' needs. This is why the College would like for you to take the test even if you have fulfilled this requirement. You may use a calculator.

When should I take the test?
The test may be taken before your arrival for Orientation, but must be completed by August 21.

Physics Placement Quiz

What is the purpose of this test?
The Physics Placement Quiz is intended for students who plan to take Physics 061 (which is usually followed by Physics 062).

There are two prerequisites for Physics 061. First, you must complete Calculus I (Math 047) before you enroll in Physics 061. Secondly, you must either pass Physics 004 or successfully complete this placement quiz.

Please read the course descriptions for both Physics 004 and Physics 061 as they appear in the Mills Undergraduate Catalog.

When should I take this quiz?
Physics 004 is offered only during spring semester, and Physics 061 is offered only during fall semester.  Therefore, it is essential that you take this quiz before you register for a spring semester if you plan to take Physics 061 during the following fall semester. If you successfully complete this quiz, you can simply register for Physics 061 during the fall semester. If your score on this quiz indicates that you’re not ready for Physics 061, you will need to take Physics 004 in the spring before you register for Physics 061 in the fall.

Must I take this quiz if I want to take Physics 004
but don’t plan to take Physics 061?
No, that’s not necessary. The purpose of this quiz is to see whether you’re ready to start Physics 061.

When should I take the test?
This test may be taken before your arrival for Orientation, but must be completed by August 21.

Pre-Nursing Biology Test

Students have 1-1/2 hours maximum in which to complete the test. The test can only be started one time, so do not start until you are sure you have adequate time to finish.

This test is designed to test for readiness for BIO031N, Human Anatomy for Nurses. The test is required for all pre-nursing students, but will not exempt you from any class work. The Pre-Nursing Program is using this test as an assessment tool only.

Pre-Nursing Chemistry Test

Students have 1-1/2 hours in which to complete the test. The test can only be started one time, so do not start until you are sure you have adequate time to finish.