All students wishing to take chemistry are required to take the chemistry placement test, except for those who have received credit based on the AP exam, International Baccalaureate HL exam, or British A levels. 

The Placement Exam assists the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in determining whether placement in Chemistry 103 or Chemistry 104 is more appropriate. Students who enter with advanced placement should register for Chem 107, if it is being offered, and CHEM 0104 if not.

The Placement Exam can be taken over the summer prior to arrival on campus, during First-Year Orientation prior to registration, or at any time prior to registering (e.g., during the fall semester ahead of spring registration).The Chemistry and Biochemistry Placement Exam is an online written test that is available any time. You may use a calculator. It takes approximately 60-90 minutes to complete.

Placement Exam

You will need:

  • An internet connection with access to the Web
  • Your Middlebury College ID
  • A recent version of a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Chrome

Instructions: 

  1. Open a web browser and go to: https://middlebury.instructure.com/enroll/FK3JH3
  2. Click on the Start the exam now link at the bottom of the paragraph.
  3. When prompted, log in with your Midd username (1st part of your email address) and password.

Additional Information:

  • Once you have completed the exam, please see below for an interpretation of your score.
  • Once you interpret your results, if you still have questions, please contact Professor AJ Vasiliou at avasiliou@middlebury.edu.
  • For technical questions, please contact our Helpdesk at (802) 443-2200 or helpdesk@middlebury.edu.

Placement Exam Results Interpretation

After you complete the Chemistry and Biochemistry Placement Exam, you will receive a numerical score. Based on the score you receive, follow these instructions below.

Scores 24 and up

Congratulations on passing the Chemistry and Biochemistry Placement Exam! Based on your score, you should take CHEM 0104: General Chemistry II. 

Scores of 22 - 23

This score is slightly below a level we feel comfortable recommending placement in CHEM 0104: General Chemistry II. Depending on how you felt the Placement Exam represented your knowledge of chemistry, we leave the choice of CHEM 0103 or 0104 up to you. If you feel comfortable with your knowledge of chemistry, you may want to consider starting with CHEM 0104: General Chemistry II, which will require that you request a prerequisite waiver from the Chemistry and Biochemistry department chair or the CHEM 0104 Professor before you register. However, if you are not sure of your knowledge of introductory chemistry, then you should start with CHEM 0103: General Chemistry I.

Scores 21 and Below

Your score did not place you in an advanced level chemistry course. You should register for CHEM 0103: General Chemistry I.

Further Inquiries

If you are at all confused about your selection, please see the Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty at the Academic Forum or email Prof. AJ Vasiliou at avasiliou@middlebury.edu with your chemistry background and she will be happy to answer your questions.