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How important are the placement tests?

The placement tests are a critical component in determining your course placements, therefore prior to testing you may want to review the topics included on the exams.

What placement tests do I need to take?

All freshmen students take the mathematics placement test. Students with majors that require either chemistry or computer science will also take the chemistry or computer sciences placement test. Placements in first semester English courses are made on the basis of 3 scores from SAT Reasoning Test ^TM: the critical reading, writing and essay sections. For more information about these texts, see the College Board website (http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about/SATI.html). If the SAT Reasoning Test ^TM is not available, students will be required to take the Accuplacer Test to determine the course placement in English.

When are my placement tests held?

Placement tests are given before a student may register for his/her first semester of classes. Specific information will be mailed to all admitted students.

Where do I schedule my tests?

Every student must register for placement tests online. After completing the necessary forms, an email and postcard confirming your date for the placement test will be sent to you from the Center for First Year Students.

What if I have advanced placement credits?

The Educational Testing Service notifies NJIT in late June of Advanced Placement test results. Please indicate NJIT as the institute to which to mail the results. If your AP score meets the NJIT requirements, you will be awarded the appropriate credit. Qualifying students will discuss the AP credit with the Associate Director of Placement & Testing, Ms. Margo Gilchrist.

What do I need to bring on test day?

Black or blue pen, two No. 2 sharpened pencils and your social security number or student ID. You will not be allowed to use calculators or periodic tables. Please do not bring these items to the testing site.

What is the Chemistry Placement Test?

Toledo Chemistry Placement Test: The topics include: general Mathematics, general chemical knowledge and specific chemical knowledge. The Chemistry Placement Test is required for all those majoring in Engineering (except Engineering Technology), Bioinformatics, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science and Applied Physics.

What is the Mathematics Placement Test?

In order to succeed in calculus you need a high level of proficiency in Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, Trigonometry and Analytical Geometry. The Mathematics Placement Tests are designed to measure your abilities in these fundamental areas of mathematics and are required for all students. The mathematical abilities to be demonstrated on these tests are taught in standard high school courses on Algebra, Trigonometry and Analytical Geometry. Students can review all of these mathematical topics in the following reference book.

The Algebra and Trigonometry Problem Solver:  A Complete Solution Guide to Any Textbook, Research and Education Association, Piscataway, New Jersey, 2000, ISBN 0-87891-508-7

The topics to be tested are covered in depth in chapters 1-13, 15-21, 26-30, 32, 38-40, 42, 44, which include step by step solutions to many problems.

The Mathematics Placement consists of four separate tests, totaling two hours and fifteen minutes.

The first test is on Basic Algebra and measures your ability to perform basic algebraic operations and to solve problems that involve elementary, algebraic concepts. The second test covers topics in Intermediate and Advanced Algebra and the topics include: operations with rational expression and their evaluations, solving inequalities, logarithms, and solving word problems. The third test is on Trigonometry and Analytical Geometry and the topics include: graphing trigonometric functions and solving trigonometric equations, working with trigonometric identities, and solving word problems. The fourth test is called Calculus Ready. It covers a selection of important algebraic and trigonometric topics used in Calculus such as inverse functions and relations, inequalities, graphing, quadratic equations, conics, the compositions of functions, logarithms and exponentials.

Note: Copies of The Algebra and Trigonometry Problem Solver are on reserve for your use at the NJIT Van Houten Library. Please call the library at 973-596-3206 for hours of operation.

What is the English placement Test?

English placement is determined by three scores from the SAT Reasoning Test ^TM: the critical reading, writing and essay sections. Otherwise, placement will be based on the Accuplacer® test: reading comprehension, sentence sense and an essay. For more information, including sample questions can be found at:

http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/student/testing/accuplacer/accuplacer-sample.pdf

What is the Computer Science Test?

This test measures your knowledge of basic computer science concepts.  All problems are in a programming language similar to Java or C++.  It consists of 19 questions to be answered over 45 minutes. The Computer Science Placement Test is required for all those majoring in Computer Science, Information Systems, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, Applied Physics, and Surveying Engineering Technology.

What if I fail my placement test?

The placement test is not a pass/fail test. Your scores help to determine the course in which you will be placed for your first semester at NJIT. Lower scores could result in being placed in a lower course, possibly resulting in additional courses over all.

What if I disagree with my academic placement?

You will be given an opportunity to contact and discuss your placements with the Associate Director of Placement & Testing, Ms. Margo Gilchrist, 973-596-2981.

Can I retake the placement test?

Students have the opportunity to take the Mathematics Placement Test a second time. Students who opt to retest have to wait at least two weeks after their first attempt before retesting. The higher score will be used for the final placement. Students cannot retest more than once.

If a student is required to take the Accuplacer® test for English placement, one retest will be allowed. The higher score will be used for the final placement. As an alternative to the retest, a student can submit a portfolio of original work. The guidelines for using the portfolio option can be obtained from the Department of Humanities.

http://humanities.njit.edu/students/firstyearplacement.php.

Students will be allowed for one retest for Chemistry and Computer Science Placement Tests.

I’m doing okay, but I still need tutoring! Where do I go?

Academic support (i.e., tutoring, study workshops etc.) is offered through the Center for Academic and Professional Enrichment (CAPE), located in Room 200 (second floor) of Kupfrian Hall. Tutoring is also offered in the residence halls. The hours for tutoring are posted on the CAPE website.