English, Math and Foreign Language Placement Exams
Mandatory placement exams in English Composition and Mathematics are administered to all incoming degree-seeking students provided that they have not received transfer credits. See more information on transfer credits.
English Composition
As an American international university, John Cabot attaches special importance to skills in written and spoken English. At the beginning of their education at the University, all students are required to take a sequence of courses in English composition and literature, with the goal of developing the ability to think logically, to communicate accurately and clearly, and to appreciate the beauty and force of the English language, as reflected in its rich literary heritage. These skills will be used and reinforced throughout students' careers at the University, and in life-long learning.
A Composition Placement Examination is given prior to the beginning of the semester to determine the entry level for each student in this important sequence of courses. The exam lasts one hour and half and consists of a written response. In this short essay, students write a response to a prompt. Upon completion, each examination is scored by several examiners. This examination process determines which composition course the student must attend.
Policy for Taking the Composition Placement exam
All students are required to take a placement test in composition on admittance to
the University. These tests are administered on specific days and times and students
receive notification about test dates by email. Students are responsible for ensuring
that they take the exam at the required time. Those students who fail to take these
tests will automatically be placed in EN 103.
Students who register late as degree-seeking students at John Cabot
Students who are admitted to the University after the scheduled dates of the Composition
placement tests will be automatically placed into EN 103.
Where the student’s failure to take the placement test is due to an administrative error, a placement test can be arranged at the discretion of the coordinator of the exam.
Mathematics
Everything you always wanted to know about the Math Placement Exam but were afraid to ask…
All students must demonstrate proficiency in Mathematics by completing MA 101 Intermediate Algebra or MA 100 Finite Mathematics, with a grade of C - or above. Students who have declared or plan to declare a major in Business Administration, International Business, or Economics and Finance are required to take MA 101 Intermediate Algebra. Other students have the option of choosing between MA 101 and MA 100.
As of Fall 2022, newly matriculated students (students who begin their academic career at JCU in Fall 2022) may be exempt from this requirement on the basis of the University’s Mathematics Placement Examination (MPE), a multiple-choice test consisting of two sections: Algebra and Pre-calculus.
Students who earn a passing grade on the Algebra section of the placement exam place into MA 197 Pre-calculus, and those who also earn a passing grade on the Pre-calculus section of the exam place into MA 198 Calculus.
Students who place into MA 197 or MA 198 are considered as having fulfilled the MA 100/101 General Distribution Requirement.
The Math Placement Exam can only be attempted once and should be taken during the orientation week of the semester in which the student enrolls at John Cabot University. Should there be a documented reason why a student is unable to sit the test during orientation, they will be allowed to take it later on in their first semester of instruction.
As of Fall 2022, new, incoming students who, regardless of their declared major, would like to take the MPE should request to take the exam by contacting the Office of the Registrar at [email protected].
Students who do not book the MPE exam or fail to take the exam on the assigned day will be required to register for MA 100 or MA 101, based on their declared major.
For more information on the Math Placement Test, please see:
For a sample test on Algebra, click: Math Placement Test - algebra - (answer keys)
For a sample test on Precalculus, click: Math Placement Test - precalculus - (answer key)
Remember that questions on the actual test might vary within the syllabus.
Foreign Languages
Students need to make sure that they have received their JCU Net ID to access JCU Moodle and the Foreign Language placement tests. If you have not received your JCU Net ID, please contact [email protected].
Once you have received your JCU Net ID, please click the following link: Foreign Language placement tests. You will choose your language and self-enroll by clicking ‘Enrol me’. Please send an email upon completion to Prof. Siddu Pilia at [email protected] to receive your results.
Should you experience any technical problems with Moodle, please contact [email protected].