About the assessment

Prerequisites

Required biology courses for students in the programs listed below have certain biology and chemistry prerequisites that must be met before you can register for those courses. These prerequisites can be met either through previous coursework at the high school and college level, or by achieving a score of at least 59 on the biology placement assessment and meeting the chemistry prerequisite requirement.

Prerequisites are valid only if taken within the last five years.

Chemistry Prerequisite

• High school chemistry, grade of C or better or;
• CHE 121 or CHE 131 or CHE 151, grade of C or better or;
• Equivalent college-level transfer course, grade of C or better

Biology Prerequisite*

• Biology placement exam with a score of 59 or higher or;
• BIO 121, grade of C or better or;
• Equivalent college level transfer course, grade of C or better

*If you have attempted, withdrawn or completed BIO 121 within the past five years, you are not eligible to take the biology placement assessment.

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Area of Study

We strongly encourage you to take the biology placement assessment if you do not otherwise meet the biology prerequisite for:

• Life Science
• Biotechnology
• Exercise Science

Also, if you are interested in admission to one of the following programs, we encourage you to take the biology placement assessment if you do not otherwise meet the biology prerequisite:

• Nursing
• Radiography
• Dental Hygiene
• Surgical Technology
• Physical Therapy Assistant

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Preparation Materials

We highly recommend that you prepare for the placement assessments. It may be helpful for you to see some sample questions or to prepare using the College’s Foundational Skills Lab supplemental instructional materials.

Review Placement Tests  
For questions about the biology placement assessment, contact testing@mc3.edu.