How it Works
All assessments are completed online before attending your registration, and before classes start. Please note — you may not be able to register for classes until you have taken your placement assessment(s) so we highly recommend you complete this important first step in your Dominican journey.
Once classes start, all assessments must be proctored by the coordinator of Learning Services.
For questions regarding placement assessment, or to make an appointment, email placement@dominican.edu.
First-Year Undergraduate Students
A few days after paying your tuition deposit, check your Dominican student email account (first.last@students.dominican.edu) for information about how to access your placement assessment(s). After you complete your placement assessment(s), you will schedule an advising session to discuss your course schedule and register for your classes.
Transfer Students
A few days after paying your tuition deposit, check your Dominican student email account (first.last@students.dominican.edu) for information about how to access your placement assessment(s). After you complete your placement assessment(s), you will schedule an advising session to discuss your course schedule and register for your classes.
If you have 23 units or less and have not yet chosen a major (undeclared), please email: Christina Mayes, first-year advisor or call (415) 458-3781.
If you have 24+ units and have not yet chosen a major (undeclared), please email: Naomi Elvove, Senior Director, Student Success Center (415) 257-1380.
Adult Degree Completion (ADC) Program
Your ADC advisor will inform you if a math placement assessment is required upon evaluation of your transcripts. Contact placement@dominican.edu for links to the math assessment.
General Placement Assessment FAQs
Once you have submitted your tuition deposit, you will receive an email with information about which assessment(s) you need and the links to access your assessment(s). You will take the assessment online at home, unless classes have already started in which case your assessment will need to be proctored. If you have any questions, please email us.
Neither assessment is timed, but you should plan about 1.5 hours for math and one hour for chemistry.
No, there is no charge.
Mathematics Placement Assessment FAQs
The math placement assessment begins at a medium level of difficulty with elementary algebra, then adapts as questions become too hard or too easy for you. It generally contains 25 questions and takes about 1.5 hours, but there is no time limit.
Our math placement assessment has two components, the Assessment and a Learning Module. Your account comes with 5 Assessments. Rather than review ahead of time, you are encouraged to take the first Assessment. If you don’t place where you think you should have, then you can work in the Learning Module as review. This will focus your study time on the topics you will be assessed on in your second Assessment. If you still prefer to review ahead of time, you can review Algebra, Precalculus, and Calculus. Don’t worry if you did not take some of those courses, we are assessing your math skills to place you into the best math course according to your skill level.
Chemistry Placement Assessment FAQs
The chemistry placement assessment consists of 20 questions and takes about one hour, but there is no time limit. You may use a calculator and scratch paper (you will need to upload it at the end of the assessment). A periodic table is provided within the assessment.
Only biology, chemistry, kinesiology, and nursing majors need to take the chemistry assessment.
To prepare for the chemistry assessment, please review the following topics:
- Significant figures
- Conversion factors
- Atoms and elements
- Naming rules
- Balancing equations
- Types of reactions
- Molarity and dilutions
Disability Accommodations
If you have a documented disability and need accommodations, email placement@dominican.edu or call (415) 257-0153.
