Placement Exams
Placement exams are administered by their respective departments for students to test their skill level and readiness for math and/or foreign language courses. Placement exams last thirty-minutes and are primarily a computer-based analysis of students' understanding of the subject content. Please note: the math and foreign language placement exam may only be taken once.
Placement Exams in the First-Year
First-year students have the opportunity to complete the math and/or foreign language placement exam at Summer Orientation or Bear Beginnings prior to the beginning of their fall semester coursework. Placement exam scores are reviewed with the academic advisor so that fall semester courses can be adjusted, if necessary.
Math Requirements
A student’s math index (MIDX) is an indicator of math competency, automatically calculated based upon math scores on any standardized tests (ACT or SAT) and high school GPA. Academic advisors advise students on the appropriate math and science courses for their degree by considering a student's academic interests, their college or school requirements, and their math index that showcases math readiness.
A math index score of 980 or above is especially important for students needing a Calculus, Introductory Physics, and/or General Chemistry class at Mercer in their first year to progress appropriately toward degree requirements in their academic area. Students who need Calculus, Introductory Physics, and/or General Chemistry in their first year are:
- College of Liberal Arts (CLA): Science majors or students studying on a pre-health track. For more information about the CLA math requirements, contact Mr. Tony Kemp at kemp_t@mercer.edu.
- Stetson School of Business (BUS): Finance or Economics majors or students studying on a pre-health track. For more information on the BUS math requirements, contact Mrs. Donna Terrill at terrill_dw@mercer.edu.
- Engineering (EGR): All majors within the School of Engineering (except Technical Communications) or students studying on a pre-health track. For more information on the EGR math requirements, contact Dr. Loren Sumner at sumner_lb@mercer.edu.
- Tift College of Education (EDU): Any Education students also studying on a pre-health track. For more information on the EDU math requirements, contact Dr. Sharon Augustine at augustine_sm@mercer.edu.
- Townsend School of Music (MUS): Any Music students also studying on a pre-health track. For more information the MUS math requirements, contact Dr. Stanley Roberts at roberts_sl@mercer.edu or Dr. Doug Hill at hill_dm@mercer.edu.
- College of Health Professions (CHP): All Public Health majors. For more information on the CHP math requirements, contact Dr. Mary Mathis at mathis_mw@mercer.edu.
Students who need Calculus, Introductory Physics, and/or General Chemistry in their first year and have a MIDX of 979 or below should reference the Placement Exam Specifics chart below for more information.
Foreign Language Requirements
Each college or school at Mercer have various requirements for foreign language coursework. Students who need foreign language to fulfill degree requirements include:
- College of Liberal Arts (CLA): All students have a foreign language requirement
- Stetson School of Business (BUS): Only International Business majors have a foreign language requirement
- Engineering (EGR): No foreign language requirement
- Tift College of Education (EDU): No foreign language requirement
- Townsend School of Music (MUS): All students have a foreign language requirement
- College of Health Professions: No foreign language requirement
Placement Exam Specifics
Review the information below to determine if you should take a math or foreign language placement exam in preparation for the fall semester:
Exam |
Policy for Completion |
Preparation for the Exam |
Math Placement ExamA 30-minute computer generated placement exam conducted without the use of a calculator.
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If your math index is 980 or above, you are eligible for placement in a Calculus, Introductory Physics, and/or General Chemistry class at Mercer (if necessary). You do not need to fulfill any additional placement testing or coursework to ensure this placement. If your math index is 979 or below, please read the following information carefully. Not all academic areas require the completion of a Calculus, Introductory Physics, and/or General Chemistry at Mercer. However, you will find that General Chemistry is a prerequisite course for most biology and upper-level chemistry courses, as well as coursework in engineering and many of the pre-health professions tracks. If you are studying within an area that requires Calculus, Introductory Physics, and/or General Chemistry in your first year and your math index is 979 or below, you are not currently eligible to take Calculus, Introductory Physics, and/or General Chemistry in the fall semester. However, if you feel that you are indeed ready for Calculus (you have mastered Trigonometry and Algebra), you may attempt to "over-ride" your math index by:
If your math index is 879 or below and you elect not to take a Precalculus course at a pre-approved college or university this summer nor do you complete the Math Placement Exam to seek an advanced math course placement, you will begin math at Mercer with Algebra (MAT 095). Please note: MAT 095 is a 4-hour course that does count toward a student's full-time student status; however credit earned in MAT 095 does not count toward the minimum number of hours required for graduation. Please also note that, if you are currently enrolled in or have previously taken AP Calculus, and you receive(d) a score of a 4 or higher, this will also satisfy the Precalculus requirement once your scores are received by the Mercer Registrar's Office. View the Transfer Evaluation information on the Registrar's website to identify your potential credit equivalencies>>. |
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Math Placement Exam for
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Consider that the “Accelerated Special Consideration” programs for our Pre-Pharmacy and Pre-Physician Assistant tracks require placement in Chemistry during the first fall semester so that all science coursework is completed by May of the third year. Accelerated Special Consideration program participants who cannot take Chemistry in their first year will need to catch up by taking summer courses at Mercer in order to retain program eligibility. Note: the Accelerated Special Consideration programs do not allow transient coursework at non-Mercer institutions after high school graduation. The only exception to this requirement is for students prior to their first year who opt to take a Precalculus class at a non-Mercer institution during the summer before they begin at Mercer. |
For more information, please contact: |
Foreign Language Placement ExamA 30-minute placement exam. |
If you studied a particular language for two or more years in high school and wish to:
be prepared to take a thirty minute foreign language placement exam at Summer Orientation or Bear Beginnings in August. |
Review your language coursework from high school or previous experiences. |
