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Placement Tests

Placement tests are required for some Extension School courses, as outlined below.

Academic integrity policies apply to placement tests. The Extension School takes seriously cases of placement test cheating, plagiarism, and other breaches of academic integrity. Alleged breaches are referred to the Administrative Board and may result in indefinite suspension of registration privileges.

If you need test accommodations, call the disability services coordinator at (617) 495-0977. Computers at 53 Church Street, the Science Center, or Grossman Library are available to online test takers.

Harvard English language placement test

For Institute for English Language (IEL) courses. This test is required unless you have taken the IEL post-test in the immediately preceding term. See Registration and Payment on the IEL website.

For the English proficiency requirement. If you live in the Boston area and do not take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you can meet the English proficiency requirement with a minimum score of 76 on this test.

How to take the test

Please allow approximately 2.5 hours for this test, including check-in time.

  1. Reserve a seat online and early. See Harvard English Language Placement Test at the bottom of the online services login page for instructions. Seating is limited.
  2. Arrive for the test at least 30 minutes early.
  3. Bring photo identification and a copy of your test reservation.

When to take the test

This test is held on campus on the following dates (subject to change). Locations will be announced.

Fall tests

  • Saturday, August 6, 10 am, Science Center (reserve seat by noon on August 5)
  • Tuesday, August 16, 6 pm, Science Center (reserve seat by noon on August 16)
  • Thursday, August 25, 3 pm, Science Center (reserve seat by noon on August 25)

Spring and January session tests

  • Friday, December 2, 3 pm (reserve seat by noon on December 2)
  • Saturday, December 10, 10 am (reserve seat by noon on December 9); last test for January courses
  • Tuesday, January 10, 3 pm (reserve seat by noon on January 10)
  • Thursday, January 19, 6 pm (reserve seat by noon on January 19)

Test of critical reading and writing skills

This 60-minute online, timed exam is required for:

  • EXPO E-25 (preadmission course undergraduate program), unless you have earned a B or higher in EXPO E-15
  • MGMT E-4000 (preadmission course ALM, management), MGMT E-4030, MGMT E-4255, MGMT E-5000, and MGMT E-6000, unless you have earned a B or higher in EXPO E-34
  • BIOS E-200, HUMA E-100, SSCI E-100a, and SSCI E-100b (preadmission course ALM, Liberal Arts, 19-fields)
  • BIOT E-200 (preadmission course ALM, biotechnology)
  • JOUR E-100 (preadmission course ALM, journalism)
  • MUSE E-101(preadmission course ALM, museum studies)
  • ENVR E-210 (preadmission course ALM, sustainability and environmental management), ENVR E-200, and ENVR E-599

You read a passage, answer a few multiple choice questions about the passage, and then write a short response essay. Preparation is not required for the exam; however, we encourage you take the exam when you have ample time and no distractions. The goal is to assess your college-level writing skills to help ensure success in our courses. If you pass, you do not have to take the test again. If you don't pass, you will be advised to enroll in a specific writing course (e.g., EXPO E-15 or E-34). If you fail the test more than twice your eligibility to take it again may be restricted. All grading decisions are final. This test cannot be taken to meet the English proficiency requirement.

How to take the test

This timed test is available online daily between 4 am and 11 pm eastern standard time. Go to the online services login page and log in with your ID and PIN, then choose "Placement Tests." If you are a new student without an ID and PIN, follow the New Student? instructions on the login page.

You may take the test before registering and in a prior term, but you can only take it once within the test dates for each registration period (see below).

Test dates for fall courses

Take the test between:

To have your score available on this date:

June 13 and July 17*

July 23

July 18 and August 7

August 13

August 8 and August 21 (last test date for fall courses)

August 27

Test dates for January and spring courses

Take the test between:

To have your score available on this date:

August 22 and September 18

September 24

September 19 and October 16

October 22

October 17 and November 13*

November 19

November 14 and December 11 (last test date for January courses)

December 17

December 12 and January 16 (last test date for spring courses)

January 21

*We strongly encourage you to take the test by July 17 for the 2011 fall term and November 13 for the 2012 January session and spring term to ensure that your score is available BEFORE registration begins.

To take the test between January 17 and June 10, visit the Harvard Summer School site.

How course registration works

If you register for one of the above courses before you have met course prerequisites, your status in the course is WP (Pending test score/Prerequisite evaluation). You must pass the test and complete any other prerequisites before you are enrolled (RE) or waitlisted (WL).

Within 2 business days of each score-posting date, students with passing scores are enrolled or waitlisted in order of their course registration, as follows:

If you pass the test—and have completed other degree program prerequisites listed in the course description—you are:

  • Enrolled in the course if space is available
  • Put on a waitlist if the course is full and the waitlist is open
  • Closed out of the course if the course and waitlist are both full

If you do not pass the test:

  • You are withdrawn from the course for a full-tuition refund.
  • You are advised to take an Institute for English Language course or alternative writing course.

If you do not take the test by the last fall, January, or spring test date:

  • You are withdrawn from the course for a full-tuition refund.

Academic integrity

For this test, the writing you submit must be your own. Breaches of academic integrity are referred to the Administrative Board, which may impose sanctions that include indefinite suspension from the Extension School.

Math placement test

This online test is required for MATH E-8, MATH E-10, MATH E-15, MATH E-16, and STAT E-50.

This test is recommended for MATH E-21a, MATH E-21b, MATH E-100, and ECON E-1010, ECON E-1040, and ECON E-1600.

How to take the test

You do not need to study for this test. It is intended for students who have not taken a math course recently. The test must be taken online. Go to the login page of online services and follow the instructions for the math placement test. You receive your score upon completing the test.

Test schedule

The test is available daily between 9 am and midnight eastern standard time during the following periods:

  • For fall classes: July 25 to September 11
  • For spring classes: November 21 to February 5

If you have questions about placement or encounter technical difficulties with the test, send an e-mail to support@math-placement.dce.harvard.edu.