Chemistry Placement Exam (CPE)

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers the CPE every month. To take the CPE, please register for the exam. Information for the CPE will be sent by e-mail before the exam.

To enroll in CHEM 120A, students must pass the CPE, pass CHEM 115 with a "C" or better, or have an AP Chemistry score of 3 or higher.

CPE Overview

CPE will typically be offered monthly at 1:00 pm by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The CPE may be taken only once every 12 months. Test scores are valid for 12 months.

You will have 45 minutes to complete the Chemistry Placement Exam (CPE). The CPE consists of 44 multiple-choice questions addressing basic concepts in arithmetic, algebra and high school chemistry. In scoring the test, only correct answers will be counted. A periodic table of elements and a table of abbreviations and symbols will be provided in the exam. You may need them for some questions. All other data are given in the questions. Cell phones are not allowed.

Please have number 2 pencils with erasers and a nonprogrammable scientific calculator available with you for the exam.

Test results will be sent by email approximately one to two business days after the test.

CPE and CHEM 120A Prerequisite

All students planning to enroll in Chemistry 120A General Chemistry will first need to meet one of the below requirements:

• Take the Chemistry Placement Exam (CPE) OR
• Complete Chemistry 115: Introduction to General Chemistry or its equivalent, verified with an official transcript, with a grade of "C" or higher OR
• Pass the AP Chemistry exam with a score of 3 or higher

CPE Exemptions

CHEM 115 Equivalent

Students can be exempt from the CPE if they have completed Chemistry 115: Introduction to General Chemistry, or an equivalent course, with a grade of "C" or higher. If you completed an equivalent course at another college, email a PDF copy of your unofficial transcript showing the course and grade to chemistry@mypersonalfriends.net before enrolling in Chemistry 120A: General Chemistry.

AP Chemistry Exemption

Students who passed the AP Chemistry exam with a score of 3 or greater are eligible to enroll in CHEM 120A. Students who earn a score of 4 or greater on the AP Chemistry exam are eligible to enroll in CHEM 120B. Students who want to establish their eligibility for CHEM 120A or 120B and have taken the AP exam, should email the AP CollegeBoard Report to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at chemistry@mypersonalfriends.net.