Placement Tests

How to Access Placement Tests
Biology | Chemistry| Mathematics
Modern Languages | Pre-Nursing

Mills is committed to helping new students make a successful transition to our institution. We require entering students to take one or more of the placement tests listed below. These tests help you and your advisor make good decisions about your first year course schedule. The College also uses information gleaned from the aggregate scores of these tests to fine tune its curriculum. In no instance will these scores be recorded on your transcript nor will they affect your admissions status or financial aid award.

Please read the instructions for each test carefully as there are differences in timing and procedure among them.

If you have any questions or concerns about the placement tests please contact Andrew Workman at 510.430.2347 or aworkman@mills.edu.

Biology Placement Test

The General Biology (Biology 001) test is designed to let you, your advisor, and the Biology department, know whether you have the necessary background in chemistry and mathematics to enable you to do well in Biology 001. Students taking the Biology placement test should also take the Chemistry placement test.

The Biology placement test should be taken by some students who wish to enroll in Biology 001 or 002:  Undergraduate students entering as first year students usually take Chemistry 017–018 in their first year and Biology 001–002 in their second year; in that case there is no need to take the placement test.  However, those with unusually strong backgrounds in chemistry and mathematics may be able to take the two courses concurrently. First-year students who think they might have the chemistry and mathematics background for Biology 1 should take the placement test. Transfer students and post-baccalaureate students may need to take Chemistry 017 and Biology 001 concurrently; in this case, the placement tests will still allow us to evaluate your level of preparation.

The Biology placement test consists of 20 multiple choice problems, and should take you no more than a half hour. You should take the test "closed book." You do not need a calculator for any of the problems. You may take the test only once, so be sure you have time to complete it.

When should I take the test?

This test may be taken before your arrival for Orientation, but must be completed by August 21, 2011.
(Note: The Chemistry placement test should be taken BEFORE the Biology placement test.)

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Chemistry Placement Test

This test should be taken by all students interested in taking Chemistry 017, the foundation course for science majors. It consists of 20 multiple choice problems, and should take no more than an hour. It does not require access to any outside information and should be taken as a "closed book" test. You will need a calculator for this test.

When should I take the test?
This test may be taken before your arrival for Orientation, but must be completed by January 16, 2012.

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Mathematics Assessment and Placement Test

All incoming first year students and transfer students are required to take the Mathematics Assessment and Placement Test prior to the beginning of classes. The results from this short quiz serve two purposes. First they will help you and your advisor to select an appropriate quantitative skills class. Note that the scores are only advisory and that you need not take a class that satisfies this general education requirement during your first semester. Second, this test will help Mills to better understand the level of mathematics preparation of entering students as a group. We will use this knowledge to guide the development of courses and other programs in this area to serve best our students' needs. This is why the College would like for you to take the test even if you have fulfilled this requirement. You may use a calculator.

When should I take the test?
The test may be taken before your arrival for Orientation, but must be completed by January 16, 2012.

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French Placement Test

The French placement test is designed to help you and the French faculty to determine your appropriate level in French. All students who have already taken some French in high school or at another institution, and are interested in continuing French at Mills (at any level) should take this test.

When and how do I take the test?
A.  The written part is a series of short questions that you can complete online at any time using the instructions above. You must take the written portion before you come in for the oral interview during orientation. It should take you between 30 and 45 minutes.

B. The oral part is a short interview (10 minutes) with the Mills French faculty to see how well you speak and understand spoken French. This is important because all French classes at Mills are taught exclusively in the language. Your speaking ability may not be the same as your writing.

You must come and sign up for one 10-minute slot during interview times which will be on Monday August 22, 2011 between 9:00 and 12:00 pm. The sign-up sheets will be posted in Mills Hall, third floor, outside the door of office 328.

For any questions regarding the placement test of French Studies at Mills, please contact Professors Christian Marouby, 510.430.2215 maro@mills.edu or Brinda Mehta, 510.430.2212 mehta@mills.edu.

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Spanish Placement Test

If you are new to Mills and are interested in enrolling in a Spanish course other than SPAN 001, you should take the Spanish Placement Test. You do not need to take the test if you are enrolling in SPAN 001.

When should I take the test?
This test may be taken before your arrival for Orientation, but must be completed by August 21, 2011. Please contact Dr. Mena Borges at mborges@mills.edu or 510.430.2199 if you have questions.

If you received 48-57 points in the placement test, you must come for an oral interview in Spanish with the Spanish and Spanish American Studies Program Faculty to see how well you speak and understand spoken Spanish. This is very important because our Spanish classes at Mills are taught exclusively in Spanish.

You must sign up for one 10-minute slot during interview times that will be on Monday August 22, 2011 between 9:00 and 11:00 am. The sign-up sheets will be posted in Mills Hall, third floor, outside the door of office 333. For any questions relating to the oral interview in Spanish, please contact Professor Carlota Caulfield at 510.430-2356 amach@mills.edu.

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Pre-Nursing Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

• All enrolled students must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) version V before their first semester begins at Mills. (No later than August 1st for a fall admission and no later than January 1st for a  spring admission.
• Students can register for the TEAS  version V at http://www.atitesting.com.
• You must take the TEAS V at a Pearson Vue testing site.  From the ATI website home page, scan to the lower right hand side of the screen and choose “TEAS at Pearson VUE” and then follow the online instructions. You will be purchasing the right to take a test, but you must call a convenient Pearson Vue center to schedule your test. Testing centers and phone numbers will be available during the on-line TEAS registration. Be sure to list Samuel Merritt University as your TEAS score recipient. The TEAS is  a computerized test so you will know your scores immediately after you finish taking the test.
• You must print  an unofficial copy of your scores once you return home to bring or email to your advisor before classes start at Mills.
• If your scores meet or exceed the national means for three sections, the total score, reading comprehension, and the mathematics, then you have passed the TEAS. The national means will be printed on the test score results along with your own scores.
• If you do not meet these minimum scores, the test will be used by your advisor to place you in courses that will help you be successful in the Mills-SMU Nursing Program.
• Since the purpose of this first test is diagnostic and will not affect your transfer to SMU, please do not retake the TEAS until your advisor tells you to do so if you did not pass on your first attempt. Students who do not register to take the TEAS version V will be placed in classes as if they had failed the test, so it is to your advantage to take the TEAS to avoid taking unnecessary classes.
• Students who do not pass the TEAS initially will have an opportunity to retake it the semester before they are scheduled to receive their Pre-Nursing Studies Certificate. Samuel Merritt University requires that all students pass the TEAS before applying for a transfer to their junior-1 semester and will accept TEAS scores that are up to two years old. There is no limit to the number of times a student may take the TEAS.
• If you wish to study before taking the TEAS, you can buy TEAS study guides from the ATI website or from  bookstores. The ATI website also sells practice tests that you can take at home on your computer. The cost to register for the TEAS is $100.

How to access the placement tests in Blackboard

If you have never accessed the Mills Portal you will need to set your password first. Please follow the directions on the Set Your Password for the First Time page.

If you have never accessed Blackboard, but have accessed the Mills Portal, you may need to reset your password. First login to the Mills Portal and then click on the "Change Your Password..." link in the lefthand area of the portal homepage and follow the rules for changing your password.

1. Tests become available after June 1, 2011.
   Launch Internet Explorer on a PC or Safari or Firefox on a Mac.
2. Go to http://portal.mills.edu and login using your Mills username (You can also login via your SSN or Banner ID).
3. Click on the “Blackboard” link under the "Featured Services" area of the portal homepage.
4. Click on the Blackboard "Courses" tab in the new window that opens up.
5. Type "placement" in the "Course Search" field and click “GO!”
6. Select the placement test you wish to access by clicking on the "Enroll."
7. On the Self-Enrollment page, click "Submit."
8. Click "OK" to continue to the Placement Test homepage.
9. After reading all the information regarding your test, click on the "Take the Assessment" link in the left navigation area to access the test.