New to Dr. Chen's Olympiad program? Take the placement test for the level you're aiming at. It's scored the moment you submit, and you get back a written recommendation on where to start.
30 questions · 45–60 minutes · timed, one sitting
A placement test measures what you should already know before a level begins — not what that level teaches. So the test for a higher level is built from the material of the level below it.
| To enter | The test covers |
|---|---|
| Level 2 — Local Prep | First-year chemistry |
| Level 3 — Nat'l Prep | Level 2 material |
| Level 4 — Camp Prep | Level 3 material |
Enter this when the test asks for it (the same passcode opens every level):
A standard first-year high-school course — general or honors chemistry. This test contains no USNCO-specific material; it checks that the foundation Level 2 builds on is in place.
Entry gate: 1+ year of solid chemistry
Goal: Excel at the USNCO Local Exam
30 questions · 45 min · timed
What Level 2 covers across its three modules — the Local Exam foundation. It does not test Level 3's own content.
Entry gate: Completed AP Chemistry or equivalent with distinction
Goal: Honors (top 190) and beyond on the National Exam
30 questions · 50 min · timed
What Level 3 covers — National Exam depth. It does not test Level 4's own content.
Entry gate: Strong foundation in USNCO Local
Goal: High Honors (top 50), Study Camp (top 20) and beyond
30 questions · 60 min · timed
Not sure which one to take? Answer a few questions and we'll suggest a level →
Before You Start
The test saves your answers to a Mock Exam Center account, so you can create one on the way in. It's separate from your Academy login.
The test asks for it before the first question. It's on this page — copy it before you start.
Sit it in one go, the way the real exam runs. Retakes are allowed if you want another attempt later.
You're scored on submission, and Dr. Chen's team sends back a recommendation on which level to start in and what to shore up first.
Your account keeps working afterwards: every question you missed lands in your Review list with a full explanation, and your weakest topics link straight into topic practice.
What a Level Contains
Levels 2, 3 and 4 run the same three modules in the same order — the depth changes, not the sequence. One placement test covers a whole level; there is no separate test per module. If you're joining mid-year, take the level test and start at the next module boundary.
Atomic structure & periodicity, molecular structure & bonding, IMFs & states of matter
Kinetics, equilibrium, electrochemistry, thermodynamics
Organic & biochemistry, descriptive chemistry & laboratory, problem solving
The placement test is a recommendation, not a gate. If you already know which level fits, you can enroll directly — and you can switch levels between modules.