• How important are the Placement Tests?

The Placement tests help to determine course placements for requirements.  Prior to testing, we suggested you review the topics included on the exams.

• What Placement Tests do I need to take?

Transfer students who need placements will be notified by the Coordinator of Testing and Academic Placement, Ms. Margo S. Gilchrist.

• When are my Placement Tests held?

Placement exams 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 the test ?

A letter with instructions to arrange an appointment for placement tests will be sent by the Coordinator of Testing and Academic Placements, Ms. Margo S. Gilchrist.

• What if I have advanced placement credits?

The Educational Testing Service notifies NJIT in late June of AP test results. Please indicate NJIT as the institution to which to mail the results. If your AP score meets the NJIT requirements, you will be awarded the appropriate credit. Please note that our requirement may differ from that of your previous college. Qualifying students will discuss the AP credit with Ms. Margo Gilchrist, Coordinator of Testing and Academic Placement at Orientation.

• What do I need to bring on the 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 a calculator or periodic table.  Please do not bring these items to the testing site. 

• What is the Chemistry Placement Test?

Toledo Chemistry Placement Test. The topics include: arithmetic and algebra, general chemical knowledge, chemical formulas and nomenclature, and chemical problems. The Chemistry Placement Test is required for all those who do not have transfer credit for general Chemistry and are majoring in Engineering (except for Computer Engineering), Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Biology.

• 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 Analytic Geometry. The Mathematics Placement Tests are designed to measure your abilities in these fundamental areas of mathematics. They are required for students who do not have transfer credit for college-level mathematics. 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, 44 42, which include step-by-step solutions to many problems.

The Mathematics Placement Test 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 expressions and their evaluations, solving inequalities, logarithms, and solving word problems. The third test is on Trigonometry and Analytic 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 composition of functions, logarithms, and exponentials.

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

• What is the English Placement Test?

English placement is determined by performance on the Accuplacer and Writeplacer exams and is required of all students who do not have college-level transfer credit for English. There are three sections: Reading Comprehension, Sentence Skills, and an Essay. More information, including sample questions can be found on pages 1 - 4 of the document 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 the Java programming language.  It consists of 19 questions to be answered over 45 minutes. The Computer Science Placement Test is required for those who do not have transfer credit for Computing Science and are majoring in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Bio-Informatics, Human Computer Interaction, Computer and Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Biology, Mathematical Science, and Applied Physics.

• What if I fail my Placement Tests?

The Placement test is not a pass/fail test. Your scores help to determine the courses 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 overall.

• What if I disagree with my academic placement?

You will be given an opportunity to contact and discuss your placements with Coordinator of Testing and Academic Placement, Ms. Margo S. Gilchrist, 973-596-2981.

• Can I retake the Placement Tests?

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. Students who decide to take the Mathematics Placement Test a second time agree that ONLY results from the second placement test will be taken into account for placement; results from the first test will not be considered. Students cannot retest more than once.

Students will be allowed one re-test of the English Placement Test. The higher score will be used for final placement.

Information on retaking the Chemistry and Computer Science Placement Tests will be available soon.

• 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.