The purpose of the Hood College Placement Tests is to place students into courses that are appropriate for their future success. New first-year and transfer students are required to take placement tests in English composition, mathematics and foreign language unless they have completed college level introductory courses in these areas or have an A.A. degree.
The deadline for completing the tests is June 1. Students will not be permitted to register for classes until their placement tests are complete. The tests are valid for two years and are administered by the Center for Academic Achievement & Retention. Students are expected to take the placement tests without the assistance of textbooks, websites, or other people. A calculator may be used during the Math placement test.
Any attempt to gain placement into a course for which a student is not properly prepared is both dishonest and detrimental. When students attempt classes for which they are not prepared, they are not successful. All students are expected to abide by the Hood Honor Code Please link to the Hood honor code on the traditions page…during placement testing.
If, based on a documented disability, you will need accommodations for any of these tests, please contact Disability Services. Please link to "arranging services and accommodations" under Disability Services on the CAAR page
The English Composition Placement Test
- is required if your highest SAT Essay score is a 6, 7, or 8.
- is not required if your highest SAT Essay score is 1-5 or 9-12, or if you have an AP Language/Composition score of 4 or 5, or if you have completed a college-level English Composition course with a grade of C- or higher at another accredited college.
- requires an individual username and password which will be sent to you in a letter and via email from the Admissions Office once the college receives your deposit. For questions or concerns regarding your placement test username and password, e-mail Blackboard Placement Test Assistance Request at placement@hood.edu.
- can be taken as soon as you receive the username and password for the test.
- may be taken from any computer with Internet access. To ensure compatibility and successful submission of the online test, the college recommends using one of the following internet browsers: Internet Explorer 6 or 7, Firefox 1.5 or above, or Safari 3.X. For more information regarding browser compatibility click here.
- must be taken without assistance; the Hood College Honor Code applies.
Click here to begin the English Composition Placement Test (60-minute test).
Click here if you are exempt from taking this test.
The Mathematics Placement Test
- is required unless you have an AP Calculus score of 4 or 5, or you have completed a college-level mathematics course with a grade of C- or higher at an accredited college.
- measures your current mathematical skills and determines which mathematics courses you are eligible to take as you begin your program of study.
- consists of two sections. Part I covers arithmetic through intermediate algebra. Before taking the Mathematics Placement Test, students should access Basic Algebra Review to review problems similar to those on Part I of the test. Part II contains trigonometry and pre-calculus and determines appropriate placement for mathematics courses at the pre-calculus level and beyond. Students who have not studied trigonometry or pre-calculus are not required to take Part II.
- does not require a password.
- automatically submits after 90 minutes. You may not submit more than one test. Subsequent tests submitted by the same student will not be evaluated.
- must be taken without assistance; the Hood College Honor Code applies. Calculators are permitted.
Click here to begin the Math Placement Test (90-minute test).
Click here if you are exempt from taking this test.
The Foreign Language Placement Test
Hood requires all students to study a foreign language—proficiency at the intermediate level for honors program students and two semesters for all other students. The Foreign Language Placement Test
- is required if you have had at least two years of a foreign language in high school and intend to continue studying the same language at Hood in order to fulfill your foreign language requirement.
- is recommended if you have had at least two years of a foreign language in high school but have not yet decided what language you will study at Hood in order to fulfill your foreign language requirement.
- is not required if, in order to fulfill your foreign language requirement, you intend to study a language that you have not studied before or you have completed a college-level language course with a grade of C- or higher at another accredited college.
- is available online for French, German, Spanish and Russian using the link below and the password blazers1.
- Hebrew and Latin must be taken on campus and should be scheduled through the Center for Academic Achievement & Retention (301) 696-3569.
- must be taken without assistance; the Hood College Honor Code applies.
Click here to begin the French, German, Spanish or Russian Foreign Language Placement Test (90-minute test; however, depending on your level of mastery of the language, actual testing time may be significantly less.) NOTE: The password is blazers1.
Contact the Center for Academic Achievement & Retention (CAAR) (301) 696-3569 to schedule the Hebrew or Latin Placement Test.
Click here if you are exempt from taking the Foreign Language placement test.
Placement tests are available online beginning March 1. If you have any questions, please contact us at the numbers below:
Admission Office (301) 696-3400 or (800) 922-1599
Center for Academic Achievement & Retention (301) 696-3569
Disability Services - Testing Accommodations (301) 696-3421
Orientation (301) 696-3575