Liberal Arts Qualifying Exam: The Liberal Arts Qualifying Exam (LAQE) is a placement test in which the student is asked to write an essay on an assigned topic. You do not need to prepare for the exam, but should do your best, because the exam can only be taken once. The purpose of the exam is to determine whether students should be registered for the required Writing Seminar course, or must first take a Basic Writing course.
The LAQE is a placement test required of all first year students who do not
meet one of the following criteria:
• A score of 560 or higher on the verbal section of the SAT
• A score of 23 or higher on the English portion of the ACT
• A score of 6 or higher on the SAT essay exam

The LAQE will be offered during Orientation. You will be notified in August via
postcard if you need to take the exam. The test time and location will be a part of
your college’s Orientation 2007 schedule which you will receive at Orientation
registration on Sunday, August 26. Please direct any questions you may have about
the exam to the department of English at (585) 475-6928.

Math Placement Exam (MPE): Many programs at RIT depend on a solid foundation in mathematics. In an effort to enable students to succeed in their college mathematics courses, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics has developed a Mathematics Placement Exam. This exam is taken by all entering students whose programs require a calculus sequence. It assesses the student’s mastery of some of the fundamental mathematical concepts they have seen in their high school mathematics courses. In particular, it tests skills in Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Functions, all of which are crucial to success in the various calculus sequences at RIT.

The placement test has no effect on a student’s GPA; it simply provides a strong recommendation to the student’s home department regarding the appropriate course to begin the mathematics sequence, required by the student’s program.

The MPE was available online 24 hours a day in June. First-year students were notified via postcard if required to take this exam. Transfer students should check with their home academic department to see if they need to take the MPE.

If you missed the June testing period, the MPE will be available online again, Monday, August 25 - Sunday, September 7, 2008 at placementtest.rit.edu. Here you will also find a list of Frequently Asked Questions and math course placement information for each RIT program. ONLY Transfer Students need to register for the MPE at placementtest.rit.edu/register prior to taking the exam.

Questions about the placement exam procedures should be directed to the School of Mathematical Sciences at 585-475-7060, to your home department, or by sending an e-mail to ExamAsst@rit.edu.