Taking the Placement Exams
Butler University placement exams are completed online at Blackboard. Before you begin, ensure you have set aside plenty of time to complete the entire exam in a distraction-free environment. Additional time may be needed to complete the required browser check that ensures the computer you are using is compatible to host the exam. Please plan accordingly and see below for step-by-step instructions.
How do I take my placement exams?
The following instructions will take you through the step-by-step process of setting up your computer. Please also read the appropriate placement exam instructions sections.
Setting up your computer ~ Show
- Log on to My.Butler using the username and password you received from the Office of Admission. You will then click on "Self-Service," and then on "Student Center." The To Do List, located on the right side of the screen, will show which exams need to be taken based on your declared college and primary major. All placement exams are available to you should you desire to take courses in a specific area in which you are not required to take a placement exam (e.g., foreign language).
- Next, you will need to ensure your computer and software are
adequately configured:
- Log on to Blackboard.
- Click on the "Community" tab at the top of the screen.
- Click on Placement Exams.
- Click on Browser Check.
- Complete Steps 1 and 2. If you have failed any checks or do not have plug-ins installed, please follow the instructions to successfully prepare your computer.
- Each time you complete steps to pass or install needed programs, refresh your internet browser.
- Once you have passed all checks and installed all plug-ins, click on the "Community" tab.
- Click on Placement Exams.
- All exams listed on the left of the screen are now available.
Placement exam instructions ~ Show
Prior to beginning any exam, you are encouraged to familiarize yourself with the instructions for each exam that you plan to take. Instructions are on the Blackboard home page of the individual placement exam and also have been compiled on this instruction sheet so that you further understand the time allotments and any other special instructions that you may need to be prepared for the exam.
Assistance for computing/technical issues ~ Show
For technical assistance, call the placement exam assistance
phone line at (317) 940-8298 and select Option 1. Note that that
the phone line is only answered during regular business hours
(Monday - Friday), 9:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. Messages will be returned the following business day.
When do I take my placement exams?
The completion of placement exams is a critical component of the academic advising process. Any required exams should be completed in a timely fashion, as follows:
For incoming first-year students ~ Show
Exams are available thirty days prior to your scheduled New Student Registration date. All exams must be completed and submitted by 6:00 a.m. one week prior to your New Student Registration date.
| If you are attending New Student Registration on: | Your Placement Exams will be available on: | Your Placement Exams must be completed by 6:00 a.m. on: |
| Friday, March 23 | Tuesday, February 21 | Friday, March 16 |
| Friday, March 30 | Wednesday, February 29 | Friday, March 23 |
| Friday, April 6 | Wednesday, March 7 | Friday, March 30 |
| Friday, April 27 | Wednesday, March 28 | Friday, April 20 |
| Saturday, April 28 | Wednesday, March 28 | Friday, April 20 |
| Friday, May 18 | Wednesday, April 18 | Friday, May 11 |
| Friday, June 1 | Wednesday, May 2 | Friday, May 25 |
| Friday, June 8 | Wednesday, May 9 | Friday, June 1 |
| Friday, June 15 | Wednesday, May 16 | Friday, June 8 |
For transfer students ~ Show
Complete all necessary placement exams as quickly as possible. Your advising file cannot be forwarded to the appropriate academic department for advising until all exams are completed. Contact the Learning Resource Center for specific questions regarding your file.
Which placement exams do I take?
The following chart indicates which exams are required and any special information pertaining to the placement exams. Incoming first-year students should also reference their To Do List on My.Butler where required placement exams will be listed based on declared college and major. Transfer students will be informed individually about required placement exams during the transfer process.
*Note for first-year students: If you have received updated SAT or ACT scores that may eliminate the need for certain placement exams, please be sure to submit those scores to Butler University's Office of Admission as soon as possible.
| Placement Exam | Who Must Take this Exam | Time Limit | Special Information |
| English |
ACT English score is 20 or below SAT critical reading score is 520 or below |
90 minutes | The English placement exam determines placement in a writing course. |
| Math |
ACT math score is 26 or below SAT math score is 640 or below
|
45 minutes Note: A scientific calculator is needed for some of the questions on the exam; graphing or programmable calculators are not allowed. |
The math placement exam measures preparation for Butler mathematics courses that may be required for certain major or minor programs of study. |
| Chemistry |
For majors in Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physician Assistant, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering Dual Degree Program, Physics, Pre-Health*, Exploratory Natural Sciences, and Secondary Education - Chemistry If your curriculum requires enrollment in General Chemistry, CH 105, or above |
2 hours |
The chemistry placement is not required for Natural World Core Curriculum courses. *The term Pre-Health for placement exam purposes implies an intention to take pre-requisite courses for graduate programs in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, or any other health profession that requires advanced Chemistry courses. |
| Foreign Languages |
All College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, College of Communication and College of Education majors; and International Management (College of Business) majors have a language requirement If you have taken any of these languages in high school (or have other extensive experience) and plan to continue your language studies at Butler |
French, German and Spanish: 60 minutes, three sections of 20 minutes each:
|
If you intend to begin a new language at Butler, you will start at the 101 level and are not required to take a placement exam in the new language. It is recommended that you take an appropriate language placement exam, especially if you are unsure about your academic major or degree requirements. |
|
Latin: 60 minutes, three sections of 20 minutes each:
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Chinese & Italian: No online placement exam currently exists for either language. Contact the department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures directly to arrange placement. |
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| Piano Keyboard |
All Music majors All Dance majors |
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You will be contacted the week of your New Student Registration date with the details on when your keyboard placement is scheduled. |
| Music Theory |
All Music majors |
|
You will be contacted the week of your New Student Registration with the details on when your music theory placement exam is scheduled. |




