Placement Test Information

Placement tests will be offered at Brebeuf Jesuit on the dates below. 

Students are not expected at all of the dates, rather, they should pick the dates that are most convenient for them.

Monday, March 4, 2019 – 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 5, 2019 – 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 7, 2019 – 7:00 a.m.
Please note: All tests are available during the times listed below, other than the Chinese placement test which will only be offered on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 7:00 a.m.

Saturday, March 9, 2019 – 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
(Please note that on March 9, Brebeuf Jesuit will also be hosting the SAT.  We would ask that students not be dropped off prior to 8:30 a.m. to allow for time to complete SAT check-in.)

Placement tests are for students interested in testing into honors courses and accelerated world  language courses.

Students are welcome to take as many, or as few placement tests as they desire.

Placement tests are not required. Students who do not take placement tests will be placed into regular freshman courses. No registration is required for testing and families are not required to bring any additional materials.

Placement tests offered include:

  • Honors English 9
  • Algebra I Mastery Exam
  • Honors World Civilization
  • Upper-level World Languages: Spanish, French, Latin or Mandarin Chinese

If you have any questions about Placement Tests, please contact Shani Simonson at ssimonson@brebeuf.org or 317.524.7080.

English Placement Tests

English Placement Exam—Reading Comprehension, Literary Analysis, and Writing

  • Students will read three short pieces: poetry, fiction, and nonfiction
  • They will answer a total of 20 multiple choice questions covering grammar, vocabulary in context, author’s purpose, tone, and common literary techniques as presented in the three short readings.
  • A writing prompt will ask students to write a 1 paragraph response to one of the readings. This prompt response will be graded on organization, use of mechanics, and ability to fully answer the prompt.

 Who should take the test?

  • Anyone interested in taking Honors English 9.
  • An Honors student should have a love for reading, should be self-motivated, should be able to discuss reading at length, and should have a good grasp of Standard English language grammar and conventions.
  • The placement test is the ONLY indicator the department uses for determining honors placement.

 How to study?

  • Work with your Language Arts teacher on writing in an organized manner.
  • READ READ READ!

Math Placement Tests

Algebra I Mastery Exam

  • The Mastery exam consists of 38 questions on which your work, as well as the correctness of your answer, will be graded. Partial credit will be given where appropriate. Students will have 60 minutes to complete the test. No calculators are permitted. 

Who should take the test?

  • Students who have taken at least one full year of Algebra and are interested in being considered for Accelerated Algebra I, Algebra II-Honors, or higher should take the Algebra I Mastery Exam.

How to study?

The test will cover the following areas:

  • Real Numbers
    Distributive, Commutative, and Associative Properties
    Add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational and irrational numbers
  • Algebraic Expressions and Equations
    Evaluate algebraic expressions
    Solve algebraic equations and apply to real-world situations
  • Linear Equations and Inequalities
    Solve linear equations and inequalities
    Graph linear equations and inequalities
    Write linear equations
    Solve systems of linear equations
  • Factoring
    Factor polynomials
  • Polynomials
    Simplify polynomials
    Solve polynomial equations by factoring
  • Rational Expressions and Equations
    Simplify rational expressions
    Solve rational equations

Other Mastery Exams

  • Incoming freshmen who had Algebra II or Geometry in middle school must take and pass a Mastery exam for those courses in order to receive credit at Brebeuf.

When are these tests given?

  • These tests are given during the summer and need to be set up with the math department chair. For a list of dates contact: egraham@brebeuf.org or 317-524-7028.

How does credit for these classes work?

  • Students who pass and can generate a high school transcript (before school starts) will receive credit for these courses on their Brebeuf transcript, including the letter grade that was earned for the course. This credit counts toward the credits required for the Indiana Academic Honors Diploma. Otherwise, students who pass will be given a “P” for the course on their Brebeuf transcript, and this credit will not count towards the four years of Math required for the Indiana Academic Honors Diploma. In either case, students must still take at least three years of mathematics at Brebeuf in order to meet the graduation requirement.

How to study?

Please E-mail Eric Graham, Mathematics Department Chair, at egraham@brebeuf.org for questions regarding these exams.

Social Studies/Honors World Civilizations Placement Tests

Who should take this test: Anyone who thinks that they are interested in taking Honors World Civilizations 

What to expect when taking the test: 30 Multiple Choice questions covering general United States History and World History.  There are also two (2) written response questions. 

How to prepare for the test: There isn’t anything you need to do to prepare. The questions are general knowledge you would have covered in your Middle School History Classes.

World Languages Placement Tests

The World Language Department offers a placement test for enrollment in level 2 or higher Chinese, French, Latin and Spanish courses. The test is optional, and many students choose to begin in level 1.

Who should take this test?

  • Any student who is currently studying a world language or studied one in the past and is interested in taking a level 2 or higher language course in their freshman year. 
  • The placement test is the ONLY indicator the department uses for enrollment in higher level courses.

What should you expect when taking the test?

  • 60 minute exam
  • The questions will generally increase in difficulty, so students should not be surprised to eventually encounter material that is unfamiliar to them.
  • Spanish and French:
    • Multiple choice covering vocabulary and grammar concepts.
    • Essay questions that allow students to express themselves and discuss their interests in the target language.
  • Latin and Chinese:
    • Multiple choice, reading comprehension, fill in the blank and translation.
    • The Latin test has a free response in English.
    • The Chinese test has a speaking and listening component.

How to study?

  • Students do not need to study or prepare for any specific part of the exam.  It is designed to assess your current level of language learning so that you can be placed in the best course for you.