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Placement Tests

Placement tests are required for all Institute for English Language (IEL) and mathematics courses, EXPO E-25 and EXPO E-25b, and some proseminars. Students are advised to take these tests early. There are no test fees, but reservations are required for the English language placement test. See the English Language, math, and EXPO E-25/25b test schedules below.

English Language Placement Test

Students whose primary language is not English must take the English language placement test if they register for most courses in accounting, communication in business, creative writing, expository writing, finance, information systems management, journalism, management and operations, marketing, and organizational behavior and human resources if they do not meet the English proficiency requirement in other ways.

Students who register for IEL courses must take the English language placement test unless they take the post test in an IEL course in the previous term.

English language placement test reservations. Students must reserve seats for the test, either online or in person at 51 Brattle Street. There is no charge for the test; however, students may sign up for only one test and must do so by the reservation deadlines. All placement tests take place in Science Center B. All reservations must be made by 12 noon on the deadline day.

Students should arrive at the test at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time with a photo ID and printed test reservation. They should allow approximately 2.5 hours for the test.

Fall Schedule

Spring Schedule

EXPO E-25/25b Placement Test

Students who intend to enroll in EXPO E-25 or EXPO E-25b must take the EXPO E-25/25b placement test unless they have earned a B- or higher grade in EXPO E-15. The EXPO E-25/25b placement test does not satisfy the English proficiency requirement.

The 1-hour placement test has two parts: in part one, students demonstrate their ability to comprehend a passage of prose by answering multiple-choice questions; in part two, they demonstrate their writing skills by composing a coherent essay in response to a question. Students are admitted to EXPO E-25, E-25b, or MUSE E-101 in the order in which they register for the course and pass the placement test. Students who pass the placement test can be admitted to EXPO E-25, E-25b, or MUSE E-101 in any future term, including Harvard Summer School.

Fall Schedule

Spring Schedule

The placement test for spring courses is online only, accessible from December 2 at 9 am to January 15 via online services. The test is available daily, from 9 am to 12 midnight. To take the test students must log in with their Extension School registration IDs and PINs. To obtain registration IDs and PINs, at the online services login page students should select "Register" in the New Student box and submit the required information and $50 fee. After logging in, students will see the "EXPO E-25/25b Placement Exam" link in the main menu.

Students who do not have access to computers may take the test at the computer labs at 53 Church Street, the Science Center, or Grossman Library.

Students who need accommodations should call the disability services coordinator at (617) 495-0977.

Math Placement Test

Students who want to enroll in mathematics courses are expected to take the online placement test unless in the preceding term they satisfactorily completed at Harvard Extension School or Summer School the prerequisite qualifying course. Students are not expected to study for the test; placement is made assuming students have not taken a mathematics course recently. Every student who takes the test is eligible to register for a course: there is no minimum background required. Students receive placement results as soon as they have finished the test. Advisors are available at the Math Question Center during the first two weeks of class each term.

Students should log in to online services using their ID numbers and registration PINs and select the Math Placement Test link. Students who wish to take the placement test online may need to download and install some software prior to taking the test. It is therefore extremely important that they consult the technical requirements page (follow the link from the Math Placement Test page in online services) before attempting the test. The test is available from August 22 to October 2 and December 5 to February 12.

Students who do not have access to computers or the necessary browser applications may take the test at the Division of Continuing Education's computer facility, 53 Church Street. Beginning September 19, the facility is open Sunday through Thursday, 9 am-12 midnight, and Friday and Saturday, 9 am-10 pm. Students with questions should send e-mail to support@math-placement.dce.harvard.edu.