Course Placements
The Office of Testing and Evaluation designates the English and mathematics course placements for incoming students.
English Course Placement
Every new student at Baruch College completes two semesters of First-Year Writing to help prepare them for college writing and beyond: ENG 2100 and ENG 2150.
First Year Students (Freshmen)
All incoming First Year Students are required to take the Baruch College Writing Placement Assessment so faculty can assign to you: either ENG 2100: Writing I or ENG 2100T: Writing I for English Language Learners.
Baruch College Writing Placement Assessment students are given detailed information about the two courses, and asked to provide a short answer about which one you feel would be better for you. You’ll also be asked to write a short essay to provide us with a sample of your writing skills. Based on these responses, faculty who teach First-Year Writing will assign you to the course that will best support you as a writer and a student. Please keep in mind that the two courses require the same amount of work, have the same course goals, and count for your required English composition requirement as a Baruch College student.
English As A Second Language (ESL) Students
ESL Students who do not have a New York State English Regents score or who have not met the CUNY Benchmark Scores on the SAT, ACT, New York State Regents or CUNY Proficiency Index will be required to take the CUNY ACCUPLACER ESL to determine both writing proficiency and appropriate course placement.
ESL Students who are deemed proficient in English and do not have transfer credit for ENG 2100 or ENG 2100T on their Baruch College transcript may be asked to take the Baruch College Writing Placement Assessment to determine the appropriate course placement in English.
Transfer Students
Transfer students who are deemed proficient in English and do not have transfer credit for ENG 2100 or ENG 2100T on their Baruch College transcript may be asked to take the Baruch College Writing Placement Assessment so faculty can assign the appropriate course to you.
Baruch College Mathematics Placement Examination
The Baruch College Department of Mathematics requires most incoming students (first year and transfer) to complete the Baruch College Mathematics Placement Examination prior to Orientation and Registration. This is an in-person, proctored exam, that will assist in determining readiness for various math courses offered at Baruch.
Some students will be waived from having to complete the Baruch College Mathematics Placement Examination, including those with high school records which suggest placement in Intermediate or College Algebra, and those with credit for certain college mathematics classes or Advanced Placement exams. The Office of Testing and Evaluation will inform students who are required to take the Baruch College Mathematics Placement Examination.
Students who are waived from having to complete the Baruch College Mathematics Placement Examination will receive a default automatic placement into the mathematics course indicated by their high school or college records. These students may still elect to take the Baruch College Mathematics Placement Examination if they wish to start in a course higher than their default automatic placement. The Office of Testing and Evaluation will send students who are waived information on how to request an appointment to take the Baruch College Mathematics Placement Examination.
Subjects covered on the exam include:
- Arithmetic
- Simplifying algebraic expressions
- Equations and inequalities
- Properties and graphs of functions
- Exponents and polynomials
- Factoring
- Rational expressions
- Rational exponents and radicals
- Quadratic equations and functions
- Exponential and logarithmic functions, and
- Trigonometry
Examination Format
The examination will consist of two parts and include multiple choice and free-response questions. The time allowed for part one is 60 minutes, and part two is 30 minutes. (Total time: 90 minutes). The Department of Mathematics does not permit the use of a calculator or extra time to complete the Baruch College Mathematics Placement Examination unless approved by Student Disability Services.
Examination Administration
The Baruch College Office of Testing and Evaluation will administer the examination on campus in the testing labs. We will provide writing implements and scrap paper. Baruch will use the examination results as part of a multiple measures criteria to determine placement into Mathematics and Mathematics related courses.