An important part of the academic component of CARE is the placement testing program.  Like many colleges and universities, Niagara assesses the academic preparation of entering first-year students.  Testing results assist the academic advisors in selecting appropriate classes for students during their first year at the university.  Therefore, it is important that you take the tests seriously and that you are well-rested so you can do your best.

ü  WHY does NU require you, as an entering first-year student, to complete three placement tests before you may register for classes?

Niagara University tests you, along with all incoming first-year students, to assess your knowledge and skills in relation to the university’s academic standards for NU’s introductory courses.

ü     HOW does NU use your test results to select your classes?

Your test results will be used to develop the best course placements for you in reading, mathematics, and writing.  These placements could include required non-credit coursework (vocabulary development and mathematics), developmental coursework (writing and mathematics) or prerequisite coursework (writing).  Course descriptions are at http://www.niagara.edu/oas/lsk_course_descriptions.htm.

ü     WHAT tests you will take?

You will take three different tests: a standardized test of reading achievement, which includes vocabulary and reading comprehension; an essay test, designed to assess how well you write relative to university standards; and one of two mathematics tests (which test you take will depend on your declared major).

ü     WHEN will you take the placement tests?

You will take all three tests on the first morning of CARE, and the testing period will last for 2½ hours. Therefore, you will need to be well rested so you can do your best. After all, your course registration depends upon it.  No calculators, cell phones, pagers, PDAs, or other electronic devices are permitted in the testing rooms.

ü    How can you request testing modifications if you have documentation of a disability from a qualified professional? 

If you will require modifications (e.g. extended time, a separate testing location, computer access), please contact Diane Stoelting, Coordinator of Specialized Support Services, at 716-286-8076 or ds@niagara.edu at least one month BEFORE your scheduled CARE session. 

To qualify for testing accommodations, you will need to provide documentation of your disability from a qualified professional to verify your needs.  The documentation must clearly identify a disability and its impact upon your current level of functioning in an academic setting.  Please submit your documentation directly to Diane Stoelting, Seton Hall, First Floor, Niagara University, NY 14109; if you prefer, you may fax your documentation to 716-286-8063.  Appropriate accommodations will be determined on an individual basis.

 ü     What are the tests like?

 What is the reading test like?

READING - You will take a nationally standardized reading test.  For Part I, you will have 15 minutes to answer 80 multiple-choice questions that assess your knowledge of college-level vocabulary.  Here are some sample vocabulary items:

     1.  A salient idea is:  a) emotional    b) outstanding     c) tasty      d) ridiculous     e) average       

                                      2.  To acquiesce is to:    a) acquire        b) melt         c) inquire      d) agree         e) expire

Part II is a comprehension test containing seven passages on various academic subjects.  Each passage is followed by literal and analytical comprehension questions, such as identifying the main idea, locating details, and drawing inferences.  You will have 20 minutes to read the passages and answer 38 multiple-choice questions.

What is the writing test like?

WRITING - To assess your writing skills, the university will ask you to write an argumentative essay in response to a question similar to the sample below.  Two faculty members will read and score your essay according to established criteria, including focus, development, organization, style, and mechanics.

SAMPLE ONLY:  Directions:  Use the information provided below to write a well organized, well developed, and carefully edited essay in response to the assigned question.  Do not simply copy the information provided; rather than quoting extensively, you should re-state the information in your own words.  Use as much of the information as you need to develop a strong essay.  You may add your own ideas to your essay, but do not disregard the information provided.

                  Question:    Should consumers have the option of disconnecting automobile airbags when they purchase a car?

                         Purpose:   To argue in support of your position on the question.

                  Audience:  Educated readers, not all of whom agree with your position.

1

- Beginning with the model year 1998, all passenger cars will be required to have dual  airbags.

- Statistics show that for every 71 lives saved because of airbags, one child was killed because of airbags.

- Statistics show that airbags saved about 1,500 lives last year.

- Only 60-70% of car users wear seatbelts.

- Airbags often save lives in high speed accidents; in low speed accidents where airbags are deployed, the likelihood of the airbags' injuring or even killing people is greater.

                                - Taking all types of crashes into consideration, the airbag reduces fatal injuries for drivers by 11%.

             What is the math test like?

MATHEMATICS – If your academic major does not require calculus, you will take a math test that contains 40 multiple-choice questions ranging from basic arithmetic to intermediate algebra.  You will have 45 minutes to complete the test without the assistance of a calculator.

SAMPLES ONLY:

1.   26.345 divided by 6.25 is:         2.  Solve:  3x – 4 = 7x – 8            3.  40% of ______ is 100.          

4.  7y – 2(x – y) – x =         5.  Find the value of the expression when  x = -3:  (3x – 4) – (x + 2)          

6.  The solutions of x - 3x – 2 = 8

If your major requires calculus, you will take a different math test that assesses your calculus readiness.  This test also contains 40 multiple-choice questions and is designed to be completed in 45 minutes without the assistance of a calculator.

SAMPLES ONLY:

1.        Write the equation of the line with slope .4 passing through the point (5,7).

2.          For what values of x in the interval 0<x<2 p  does (sin x –1) (sin x + 1) = 0?

3.          tan 4p. = ?                     4.  Solve:  6x - x > 2               

5.     The graph of x - 5y - 30 = 0  crosses the y axis at y = ?

 ü     How can you PREPARE for the tests?

Niagara University’s Placement Tests are very important.  They determine what courses are appropriate for you.   The following suggestions can help you do your very best.

 For the READING test: 

The best preparation is regular reading; the more you read, the more likely you will be strong reader 

Read fiction and nonfiction books, newspapers (particularly the editorial pages), and newsmagazines

The New York Times is especially recommended.  For additional preparation, you may want to consult

these web sites.

These web sites may be useful in preparing for the VOCABULARY portion of Niagara University’s reading placement test:

www.m-w.com  The most useful features are “Word of the Day” and “Word Game of the Day.”

www.wordsmyth.net

www.wordcentral.com  Look at “Word of the Day” and the “Word of the Day Archives.”

www.nytimes.com/learning/students/wordofday/index.html

www.vocabulary.com

www.wordfocus.com  This is an excellent site for learning the Latin and Greek word parts that form so many English words.

These sites may be useful in preparing for the COMPREHENSION portion of Niagara University’s reading placement test:

http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/read.html  This site contains useful tips for reading textbooks.  Also,

click on “Reading to Comprehend and Learn” and “Tips for Increasing Reading Speed.”

www.nytimes.com/learning/  Read as many articles as you can, because the reading level of The New York Times closely approximates college reading.

www.cerritos.edu/reading/tutorials.htm

www.usatoday.com  Be sure to read the “full text” of articles, not the synopsis.  Push yourself to read

more quickly than usual, but without losing concentration.

http://www.jcu.edu.au/studying/services/studyskills/effreading/

www.basic-learning.com/bls/readtest.htm  This site can give you a quick estimate of how many words per minute you read.

www.warwick.ac.uk/EAP/reading/reading.htm

For the WRITING test:

A good way to prepare for the writing test is to access the interactive exercises on the Rules for Writers web site at www.bedfordstmartins.com/hacker/rules.

When you visit this web site, click on the menu item "Writing Assignments and Student Essays." Then click on "Arguing a Point."  This page offers an excellent review of the features of a good argumentative essay.  In fact, the points it covers are exactly the features that the essay evaluators will look for when they rate your placement essay.  At the bottom of the web page, click on "View Sample Essay" to see an example of a well-written argumentative essay, an excellent model of what you should strive to do when you compose your placement essay.

If you need a review of usage, grammar, and mechanics, this web page also offers interactive exercises on a variety of important topics.

You may also find the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University helpful: 

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

Under the tab “General Academic Writing,” you will find information about argument essays, thesis statements, and writing anxiety.  The site also has links regarding grammar, usage and mechanics, and a number of other issues that may be of interest to you.

For the MATHEMATICS test:

These review books are suggested for students who wish to prepare for the Math test:

Mathematics Made Simple  (Fifth edition) by Sperling & Stuart.  Doubleday Made Simple Books.

Topics range from whole number arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percents and proportions     through simple Algebra I, factoring and algebraic equation solving.  Explanations, examples,

and tests are included.

Review of Elementary Mathematics (Second edition).  Schaum's Outlines.

Basic arithmetic topics through solving linear equations are included.

Mathematics -The Easy Way.  Barron's series.

Included are examples of methods of working fraction, decimal, percentage problems and      examples of algebraic problems through factoring and solving.

Algebra I and Algebra II Books.  Cliff's Quick Review series.

The Algebra I book is useful for students entering most majors as a review of arithmetic and

basic algebra facts.  The Algebra II book is useful for students in majors that require Calculus.

 Math Essentials.  Learning Express series.

 A review of basic arithmetic processes including fractions, decimals and percent problems.             

These web sites may also be helpful:

www.sosmath.com

www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab

www.mathnotes.com

                                                                                                                                                                Revised 5/08