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

If you need to take the LAQE, you will receive a postcard with instructions for accessing the exam online this summer. 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 School of Mathematical Sciences 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.

If you need to take the MPE, you will receive a postcard with instructions for accessing the exam online this summer. The MPE will be available online 24 hours a day during the test period.

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.

Foreign Language Placement: If you are thinking about taking a foreign language at RIT, but you previously took one in another school (high school, university, etc.), you must take a placement test BEFORE YOU PRE-REGISTER. For those students that are interested in declaring a concentration or a minor in a foreign language, being placed beyond the level of Beginning I foreign language will help you obtain the exemption of the prerequisite. For more info visit the department of foreign languages website.