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Study Guides and Test Preparation

Getting Ready for the Placement Tests

Before taking the test, review these online resources.

Tips for Taking the Placement Tests

  • Take the placement test seriously. Your Placement Test results will determine into which classes you are eligible to enroll. Retesting is limited, so do your best the first time.

  • Study and review the subjects you are testing. Study and review may help improve your placement results, particularly for math and chemistry, subjects for which you may not have recently practiced.

  • Familiarize yourself with the type of test questions that are found on the tests. Sample test questions are available on the links above. Knowing the format of the test questions can help you relax and concentrate during the test.

  • Get a good night’s sleep and have a light meal or snack before arriving to the test session. The English and math test will take approximately 2 hours. Being tired and/or hungry could hurt your performance in any test session. There are morning, afternoon and early evening test sessions. Take the test at a time when you are usually most alert.

  • During the English and math tests, work carefully. The English and math tests are computerized and are not timed. Read and re-read the questions carefully, and check each answer before submitting it. This will result in the highest possible course placement.

  • Be sure to bring your photo ID and your Ohlone College Student ID Number. Without these, you will not be admitted into the testing session. More information: Steps to Prepare for and Take the Placement Tests.

English Study Resources

The English placement test has two parts: Sentence Skills and Reading Comprehension. The Sentence Skills test measures your ability to correct sentences by substituting a word or phrase underlined in the sentence. It will also ask you to specifically rewrite sentences without changing the meaning. Reading Comprehension measures your analytical and comprehensive reading skills and your ability to apply what you have read.

Math Study Resources

Depending on your background in math, you will start with either the Arithmetic Test or the Elementary Algebra test. If you do well in either of these tests, you will automatically proceed to the next higher math test. Below is a short description of each test, a study guide and online study resources.

Arithmetic

The Arithmetic Test measures your ability to perform basic operations and solve problems that involve fundamental arithmetic concepts.

Elementary Algebra

The Elementary Algebra Test measures your ability to perform basic algebraic operations and to solve problems that involve elementary algebraic concepts.

College Level Math

Depending on your progress in the Elementary Algebra Test, you may be required to complete the College Level Math Test. This test measures your ability to perform college-level algebraic operations and to solve problems that involve college-level algebraic concepts.

ESL Study Resources

The ESL placement test includes an essay on an assigned topic, a listening comprehension test, and a reading and grammar test. Review these sample ESL questions (PDF) for the ESL test.

Chemistry Study Resources

The Chemistry Placement Test clears a prerequisite for only Chemistry 101A. In order to enroll in Chemistry 101A, students must complete two course prerequisites: Chemistry 102 and Math 152. For students interested in other Chemistry classes, please refer the Ohlone College Catalog for perquisites specific to those classes.

  • A Chemistry study guide is not available at time time.

For clearing the Math 152 prerequisite, refer to the Math Study Resources.

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