UC Davis Chemistry Placement - General Instructions

Chemistry Placement FAQ

These are the basic instructions provided before each test. A link to the chemistry placement is listed after the instructions.

Chemistry Placement Instructions

Carefully read the following instructions. You may wish to print them out before starting the chemistry placement.

Click here for a pop-up of the Periodic Table and Abbreviations and Symbols window to be used for some questions during your chemistry placement. You may wish to keep this separate window open on your screen or print out a paper copy for your use.
This chemistry placement is designed to assess your preparedness for subsequent courses. The results will be used for advising purposes and will not be part of your permanent record.
You were assigned a username and password specifically for this chemistry placement; enter these whenever you are asked for a username/password or a proctor username/password. These are NOT the same as your UCD username/password.
You will need scratch paper and a pen or pencil to work the problems on the chemistry placement. Obtain them before you begin.
Basic, non-graphing, calculators are permitted for this chemistry placement but are not required.
You may not use books, the Internet, or other materials, or consult with anyone while taking this chemistry placement. Utilizing these non-permitted materials will make it harder to complete the chemistry placement on time, and may result in your being advised to take a class inappropriate for you.
You will have 45 minutes to complete the chemistry placement. Once you begin, a timer will appear in the corner of your screen. The timer will not stop for any reason.
This chemistry placement contains 44 problems over nine pages; you may work on problems in any order you like. If you find certain questions very time-consuming, leave them temporarily. Come back to them after you have gone through the entire chemistry placement if you have time.
Use the 'Jump to Page' links at the top and bottom of each course placement page to move between pages.
There is only one correct answer to each question.
In scoring the chemistry placement, only correct answers will be counted. If you have no idea which of the answers to a given question is the correct one, you should leave the question blank. If you happen to guess correct answers to questions that you do not understand, you may be advised to take a course for which you are not adequately prepared.
If your web browser crashes, immediately reopen the test. It will let you continue working where you left off until the timer counts down to zero. However, the timer will keep counting down even if your computer is not on.
When you are finished with the chemistry placement, click the "Grade Test" button. Do NOT click this button until you are finished or time is up. If you accidentally click this button, simply click the back button on your browser. You will NOT be able to submit your test for grading after time expires. Be sure to click the "Grade Test" button when your timer expires or before.
After clicking "Grade Test", you will be prompted to log in once more to verify your submission. Enter the same username and password you used to start the chemistry placement and then click 'Continue'.
After you submit your test for grading, please wait as your test is scored. If you see a green bar and are told that your score was recorded, then you are done. If you do NOT see this, email chemplacement@ucdavis.edu .

Additional information about the chemistry placement, chemistry placement dates, and chemistry placement registration can be found at the
Chemistry Placement Requirement Information Page.

Winter Quarter 2025

Chemistry Placement for Winter Quarter - Available 11 AM, January 6 - 11 AM, January 14