Placement Exams
Placement for Incoming First Time Freshmen
Mathematics and/or Chemistry Placement
Fall 2026 Incoming First-Time Freshmen: AFTER you complete high school, gather your final high school transcripts and submit your high school math experience for placement into the appropriate Mathematics course and/or Chemistry course. Your math experience will determine your placement for both mathematics and chemistry.
Submit your high school math experience for placement here
After submitting your high school mathematics experience, watch your hawaii.edu email account for information on your final placement. Should you desire to place higher, feel free to complete the mathematics placement exam.
Starting for Fall 2026 incoming students, the Mathematics Placement Exam Score (BMAT Score) can be used to determine CHEM placement. Placement is as follows:
| BMAT Score | CHEM Placement |
| 0 | CHEM 131 |
| 1, 2, 3, or 4 | CHEM 161 |
If you already have college credit for MATH 134, 140X, or 215 or higher, email chemreg@hawaii.edu for an override to enroll directly in CHEM 161.
Placement Exams
Placement Exam Evaluation
Nearly every College of Natural Sciences undergraduate program requires chemistry and mathematics courses.
Placement exams are strongly recommended and are designed to place you into the courses that will give you the foundational knowledge you need to succeed.
There are practice questions for both exams on the Chemistry Placement Exam webpage and the Math Placement Exam webpage.
Chemistry
Prep. for Gen. Chem. (CHEM 131)
↓
General Chemistry I (CHEM 161)
- - -
Principles of Chemistry (CHEM 171)
To enroll in CHEM 131, 161, or 171, you MUST take the Placement Exam, or otherwise qualify to enroll in the course.
Mathematics
Pre-Calc: Elementary Functions (MATH 134)*
↓
Pre-Calculus (MATH 140X)
↓
Applied Calculus I (MATH 215)
Calculus I (MATH 241)
Accelerated Calculus (MATH 251A)**
*Anyone may enroll in MATH 134. To enroll in MATH 140X, 215, 241, or 251A, you must take the Placement Exam, or otherwise qualify to enroll in the course.
**To enroll in Math 251A, please schedule an interview with the Director of Undergraduate Studies for MATH by emailing office@math.hawaii.edu. Please include your first and last name, and UH ID number.
Botany BA
Information & Computer Sciences BA
Mathematics BA or BS
Second Language
If you have experience in a second language, you will likely be taking a second language placement exam at some point during your college career. Ask your academic advisor when in your academic journey would be most appropriate to begin second language courses.
To view the more common language placement exams, you can visit the university’s general Placement Exam webpage.
This exam is not as urgent as the Chemistry and Mathematics placement exams, so please focus on those first.
If you have AP credit, are fluent in a non-English language, or if you have other concerns, speak with your academic advisor.
Early Start Program
The Early Start Program is a great way you to get started on the right foot and acquaint yourself with campus without a full course load. It allows you to take college-level courses before beginning your freshman year during the second half of summer.
If you placed into CHEM 131, MATH 134, or MATH 140, but are recommended to begin in a higher level course, this is a great way to begin your Fall semester in the recommended course for your major.
Did you place into the correct courses the first time around? Great! If you’re still interested in the Early Start Program, you can get a head start on your major coursework and ease into the college experience.
Students accepted to UH Mānoa for Fall 2026 are eligible to participate in the Early Start Program!
Registration deadlines for the Early Start Program:
- Priority Deadline: May 15, 2026
- Final Deadline: May 30, 2026
Visit the Early Start Program webpage to learn more and register.