Testing Exemptions

OFFICIAL score reports MUST be submitted directly to UIC from the testing organization. Unofficial score reports are NOT accepted.
Academic Writing

Students are not required to take the Academic Writing placement test if UIC has an official score for ONE of the following:

  • ACT English score of 27 or higher, or

  • SAT Evidence-Based Reading + Writing score of 630 or higher, or

  • AP English Language & Composition with a score of 3-5, or

  • IB English Language A: Language and Literature Higher or Standard Level with a score of 6-7.

Such students should consult with an Academic Advisor from the UIC Undergraduate College into which they plan to enroll for course selection in Academic Writing.

Students who have not sent UIC an official test score, but qualify for the exemption, have college credit, or dual credit must follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Go to the English Placement Test.

  • Step 2: Answer the English Preliminary Questions quiz. Your answers will determine if you need to take the test. A temporary placement will be entered into the system.

  • Step 3: Follow the instructions to complete the process.

**Once complete, you are required to send official test scores before the exemption is added to your record.
Chemistry Transfer students who have completed one full year of college level General Chemistry course are not required to take the Chemistry placement test.

Students meeting this requirement should consult with the UIC Chemistry department for course selection in Chemistry.
Foreign Languages Students who have no prior knowledge of the language, except Spanish, and plan to study a foreign language at UIC are not required to take the placement test for that language.

In most cases, such students will be allowed to register for the 101-level class in their chosen language.

All students who want to take Spanish must take the placement test regardless of prior knowledge.

**If the language you want to take is not listed, please consult your Academic Advisor for assistance.
Mathematics All incoming first-year students must complete an online math assessment using ALEKS.

Transfer students awarded credit for Pre-Calculus (Math 121) or Calculus (Math 180) by UIC, are eligible to enroll in any course requiring these courses as a prerequisite without taking the ALEKS Placement Exam.
Dual Credit Enrollment Students granted college level credit as part of a dual credit high school program, must complete all placement testing. The higher of the two (accepted transfer credit or UIC placement test scores) will be used to determine course placement.