Chemistry @ IU :: Chemistry Placement Exam

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Chemistry Placement Exam

Register for the CPE and enter the course by pressing the grey button below. You will need to know your IU username, passphrase, and university ID number. Practice exams are also offered in the Online CPE course. Students are encouraged to refresh their chemistry knowledge through the practice exams before taking the actual exam.

About the Chemistry Placement Exam

We wish to help students succeed in C117: Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry; therefore, we want to make sure that students have the appropriate background in chemistry before enrolling in the class. Students who enroll in Chemistry C117 are required to pass the Chemistry Placement Exam (CPE) and a math prerequisite to ensure that they are ready for C117, and subsequently, the classes beyond that. Students who do not take the exam will have their enrollment in C117 cancelled.

The CPE is used to evaluate each student's chemistry background and preparation for C117 so that they can be placed into the chemistry course that is appropriate for them. The courses that students are placed into based on the CPE are: C103, C117, or S117. C103: Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry, is a course specially designed to prepare students for C117. S117 is the honors section of C117 (Note: S117 is only offered in the fall semester).

The CPE is a timed, 30-question, multiple-choice exam composed of questions on the general chemistry, math, and reasoning skills needed for C117. The CPE is NOT an exemption exam; that is, you cannot earn or be exempt from any course by taking the Chemistry Placement Exam. However, the chemistry department does offer exemption exams for C101/C121 & C117. For more information, please visit the Exemption Exams page.

In addition to passing the CPE, the student must also meet a math prequisite to sucessfully enroll in C117. This can be fufilled in one of the following ways:

Having both a score of 17 or higher on the Math Skills Assessment Test and a score of 580 or higher on the Math SAT (25 or higher on the ACT)
Completing an IU math course above M025 with a grade of C- or better
Completing Chem C103 with a grade of C- or better

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CPE an exemption exam?
No, the CPE is not an exemption exam. You cannot earn credit or be exempt from any course by taking the CPE. However, the chemistry department does offer exemption exams for C101/C121 & C117. For more information, please visit the Exemption Exams page.

When is the CPE given?
The CPE is available year-round. However, students should take the CPE prior to registering for classes for the semester in which they plan on taking C117. This will allow them to know their placement prior to registration.

What material will be covered on the examination?
There are two areas of concentration on the examination. The first area is the material that we expect all students who have had a year of high school chemistry to know, including dimensional analysis (a.k.a. factor-labeling), reaction stoichiometry, and solution stoichiometry. Students' placement into C117 will depend on the number of questions correctly answered from the first area, as this material will only be reviewed briefly in C117. This material should be reviewed prior to the examination (see information above). Students who do not do well on the questions from the first area of concentration will be required to take C103 prior to taking C117. The second area of the exam covers more advanced concepts of chemistry including periodic properties, acid-base theory, equilibrium, thermodynamics, bonding, and atomic structure. This second area concentrates on topics that are considered advanced; and therefore, students that do well on the questions from the second area may be invited to take the honors course, S117.

How will scores on the examination be used?
Scores on this examination will not affect grades for C117 (or any other course). Students who do exceptionally well on the examination will be invited to enroll in the freshman honors course in chemistry (S117). Students who score poorly on this examination will be required to take Chemistry C103 in preparation to take C117 the following semester.

How many questions on the CPE do I need to get correct to pass?
Unfortunately, the scoring of the CPE is not that straightforward. It is not only a matter of how many, but which questions you get correct. The determination of placement is based not only on the total number of questions correct, but also the number of questions correct in part one of the CPE. In other words, both the part one score and the total score are used in determining if a student "passed" the CPE.

How can I prepare for the CPE?
Practice exams are offered in the Online CPE course. Students are encouraged to refresh their chemistry knowledge through the practice exams before taking the actual exam.

I took the exam with the hope of getting into C117 next term, but I was not able to enroll in C117, will I have to take the exam again later?
No. If you take the exam now, but are not able to take the course into which you place (C117 or C103) next term, you will not need to take the exam again. The only students who have to retake the exam are those who placed into C103, took C103 and passed with a C- or better, and now want to take C117.

I have taken C103. If I do not pass the CPE, will I have to take C103 again?
Most likely, yes. For students with borderline CPE scores who have taken C103 recently (in the last two terms), we may consult with the C103 professors to see what they recommend about placement. Also, note that students must pass C103 with a C- or better before they may take C117, regardless of how they do on the CPE. Remember that mastery of the material in C103 is a prerequisite for C117. Students who do not do well in C103, will be likely to struggle in C117. If you have questions about these issues, please consult with the chemistry academic advisor, (855-2700 or chemadv@indiana.edu).

If I think I need CHEM-C103, the preparatory course for C117, do I need to take the CPE?
No, you do not need to take the CPE in order to take C103.

Is CHEM-C103 offered during the summer?
CHEM-C103 is not normally offered during the summer. Students who would like to take a class during the summer to help prepare for C117, should take a course similar to CHEM-C103 (or CHEM-C101/CHEM-C121) at a different school. If you need help choosing a course for this purpose, please contact us at the information below.

What is the Chemistry Honors Program?
Chemistry S117 is part of a special sequence of courses for well prepared and highly motivated freshman. S117 is only offered in the fall semester. On the basis of scores on the Chemistry Placement Examination, approximately 50 students will be invited to enroll in this course. Although the honors course (S117) is similar to C117, the level of work is intended to challenge students and to stimulate their eventual participation in the Honors Program in Chemistry (which includes undergraduate research).