CHEM&161 (general chemistry) assumes knowledge from a preparatory chemistry course, such as CHEM&140 or high school chemistry, and some basic math and problem solving skills.
There are TWO prerequisites for CHEM&161:
1) Preparatory chemistry (CHEM&140 with C or better), AP/IB exam score, placement
2) MATH&141 (precalculus) completion with C or better OR concurrent enrollment of MATH& 141 with CHEM& 161.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we paused the placement exam starting Spring 2020 but will resume the placement exam starting Summer/Fall 2024 registration periods.
Who needs to take the chemistry placement exam?
If you have completed CHEM&140 at BC with a C or higher, then you will not be blocked from registration unless your math prerequisite is not completed.
If you took chemistry elsewhere (high school, another college) you may submit a prerequisite verification for college chemistry course completion by using this prerequisite verification form (allow at least 7 days for processing). If you took chemistry in high school or took another chemistry course (such as CHEM&121 or CHEM&139), you should take the chemistry placement exam.
What is the format/topics of the chemistry placement exam?
The exam consists of 30 multiple choice questions. We recommend students get at least 60% of the questions correct. Students who score at least 50% correct will have the option to enroll in the course (assuming the math prerequisite is satisfied) but will be expected to do some review on their own.
Topics Covered on the practice chemistry placement exam
- Calculations with Exponents/Using scientific notation
- Problem solving, including solving algebraic equations
- Measurements using proper number of significant figures
- Metric Prefixes (M, k, D, d, c, m μ)
- Conversions (metric to metric, English to metric or vice versa, units raised to a power such as mm3 to cm3, density (d=m/V), molarity (M=mol/L)
- Stoichiometry and Moles (balancing chemical equations and using mole ratios, calculating molar mass, using Avogadro’s number (6.02E23), using chemical formulas in mole calculations, stoichiometry problems with one reactant in excess, dilution calculations
- The periodic table: element names and symbols for first 40 elements in the periodic table, classifying elements by types and families (metals vs nonmetals, alkali vs alkaline earth metals, transition metals, halogens, noble gases), atomic structure and A/Z notation, electron configuration, average atomic mass calculation
- Bonding: Interpretation of chemical formulas, binary ionic and covalent compounds and nomenclature, Lewis structures, Electron Geometry, Molecular Shape
Practice Materials
Practice Problems for CHEM&161 Placement Exam (periodic table and answer key included)
Use of a calculator is allowed.
How to take the chemistry placement exam
Access the CHEM&161 Placement Exam (requires login)
Use this periodic table as a resource.
NOTE: The placement exam result is not active immediately! You will receive an e-mail confirmation of placement in 2-3 business days.
Last Updated April 17, 2024