TESTING AND PLACEMENT

Placement Tests Are Open!       

 
Important Links
 
SEE BELOW FOR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  BulletWhat are the placement tests?  
  BulletWho needs to complete the tests?  
  BulletHow do I apply for accommodations or services
    prior to taking my placement tests?
 
  BulletHow do I complete the tests?  
  BulletWhen must I complete the tests?  
  Bullet Do I need to prepare for the tests?  
  Bullet Details and sample questions  
   
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English placement test (including sample questions)  
   
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Math placement test (including sample questions)  
   
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World language placement test  
  BulletCan I take the tests more than once?  
  BulletWhat if I have a problem when I take the tests?  
  BulletInformation about cheating and academic integrity  
  BulletWhen and how do I get my results?  
  BulletContact  
       

   
 
WHAT ARE THE PLACEMENT TESTS?
 
  The placement tests determine your individual preparation in a subject area (Math, English, World Language).

The placement tests serve a different purpose than standardized exams and tests in school. Accurate results are important, as they will be used to select appropriate courses based on the skills you bring to college. As you complete your tests, do your best independent work but do not stress about the outcome of the test. You cannot fail the placement tests and the results have no impact on your admission to Rutgers.
 
   
 
WHO NEEDS TO COMPLETE THE TESTS?
 
 

First-Year students: First-year students must complete their required placement tests within 30 days* of accepting Rutgers’ offer of admission and prior to signing up for their Academic Planning & Advising program. Click here for information on exemptions from the placement tests.

 

*if you accepted your offer of admission prior to March 1, you have until March 30 to complete testing.  Students who accepted their offer of admission while the testing cycle is closed have 30 days to complete testing once it reopens.


Transfer/Continuing Students: Transfer/continuing students should only complete placement tests if advised to do so by a Rutgers University advisor, or if indicated on their transfer summary/credit evaluation.

 
   
  HOW DO I APPLY FOR ACCOMMODATIONS OR SERVICES PRIOR TO TESTING?  
 

Students who wish to receive testing accommodations (e.g. extra time, reader, scribe), must register with the Office of Disability Services and receive approval for accommodations before testing.  Please visit this link to apply for services.  DO NOT TAKE ANY PLACEMENT TESTS IF YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS PROCESS IS NOT YET COMPLETE. Your testing deadline will be extended accordingly if you are awaiting accommodations – don’t worry about the 30 day or 72 hour deadline.

 
 
   
 
HOW DO I COMPLETE THE TESTS?
 
 

The tests are administered online and must be completed from home or in a quiet environment with a strong, reliable internet connection.

    - ENGLISH: Click here to take the English test.
    -

MATH: Click here for math test details

    - WORLD LANGUAGE: Click here for more information about World Language tests.

You must use a laptop or desktop computer to complete your tests – no cell phones.  A strong, reliable, wired internet connection is preferred, but you may use a strong, reliable wireless connection as well.

Follow these steps in order to complete your tests:
1) Confirm your Rutgers status and pay your $150 enrollment deposit if you have not done so already. You should then be able to proceed to the placement testing links 2 business days after paying the deposit.
2) Read through our webpage to access the tests using your NetID. 

 
   
 
WHEN MUST I COMPLETE THE TESTS?
 
 

Students must take their required placement tests within 30 days of enrollment (unless awaiting accommodations processing by the Office of Disability Services). Students must complete all required tests to attend an Academic Planning & Advising program and submit their course requests.


You may do all required tests consecutively, or you may take a break between subjects. Once you begin a test, you must complete that subject within the allotted time; you cannot pause the test.   If you finish any section early, you may go back to review your answers, or you may submit your answers and move to the next section (if applicable). 


Once you submit your first placement test, please complete the remaining subjects within 72 hours.

 
   
 
DO I NEED TO PREPARE FOR THE TESTS?
 
 

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the format of each test by reviewing the sample questions linked in the next section. Because these tests are used to register you for appropriate courses, we encourage you to do simply do your best work at the level that is typically comfortable for you. We want your time at Rutgers to be successful and accurate placement will enable that. See “Details and Sample Questions” below for specifics.

 
   
 
DETAILS AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS
 
 
  • ENGLISH PLACEMENT TEST

    REQUIRED FOR ALL INCOMING FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS, unless exempt. All students will also complete an in-class writing sample in the first week of the semester to confirm the placement test results.
    The English test consists of four sections:

    • a short language questionnaire (5 minutes)
    • an essay (20 minutes)
    • reading comprehension (35 minutes)
    • sentence sense (30 minutes)

    Total allotted time: 90 minutes (1.5 hours). This can change if you have accommodations.

    Click here for sample questions. Click here to take the English test.

  • MATH PLACEMENT TEST

    REQUIRED FOR ALL INCOMING FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS, unless exempt.
    Click here for sample questions.

  • WORLD LANGUAGE PLACEMENT TEST

    REQUIRED FOR:

    • ALL School of Arts and Sciences students (including Honors Program & Honors College students)
      • International students who plan to study their first language (other than English) at Rutgers are required to take a placement test in that language
    • Students in the Honors College through the Rutgers Business School or the School of Arts and Sciences
    • Students in any of the following other schools intending to continue studying a World Language at Rutgers: Rutgers Business School, School of Engineering, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Mason Gross School of the Arts, School of Nursing.

    Note: You should only test in a language with which you have experience. Students planning to start studying a new World Language at Rutgers should NOT take the test in that language!
    The World Language test format, and time requirement, varies by language. Some World Language tests can be completed online while others are only offered in-person.  For a list of World Language placement tests and formats, please visit the World Language Testing page.

 
   
 
CAN I TAKE THE TESTS MORE THAN ONCE?
 
 

ENGLISH: One attempt only


MATH (ALEKS PPL – effective March 2021): Two attempts recommended


WORLD LANGUAGE: One attempt only


Be sure you are feeling well and that you have a strong, secure, and reliable internet connection when taking your tests. You must complete each placement test in one sitting. This means you cannot save your work and come back to complete it later. Once you start one of the subject tests, you must complete all sections of that subject test.

 
   
 
WHAT IF I HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN I TAKE THE TESTS?
 
  Simply close the browser, or log out and log back in. ALEKS will resume the Placement Assessment exactly where you left off, with no loss of your previous answers. If you continue to experience issues, DO NOT CONTINUE OR SUBMIT the test. Stop testing and send an email from your Rutgers email address to testingandplacement@rutgers.edu, including your RUID and the exact issue encountered, with a screenshot if possible.

 
   
 
INFORMATION ABOUT CHEATING AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
 
 

You must take your placement tests on your own and your answers must be based on your own accumulated knowledge and skill in that subject. Cheating on the placement tests is a violation of the University’s policy on Academic Integrity and may result in disciplinary action. Cheating includes the use of any outside or reference materials including cell phones, books, dictionaries, data or internet searches, or outside assistance of any kind.

These tests are evaluating your preparedness in these subjects. An incorrect placement may result in a lower GPA, repeated coursework, and a delay in your graduation. Do YOUR best work so that you are placed in the appropriate courses for your knowledge of that subject.

Books, cell phones, reference materials, or assistance of any kind is not permitted while testing. Do not use our own calculator – an on-screen calculator will be provided if necessary. Scratch paper is permitted and must be discarded after you complete your tests. All placement test materials are the property of Rutgers University and cannot be copied or shared.

 
   
 
WHEN AND HOW DO I GET MY RESULTS?
 
  Your results will be available to your advisors to guide your course selection.

You will be able to view your results within 1-2 weeks of completing the required tests. Results will be posted on the Placement Testing section of your myRutgers dashboard (if you’re an incoming student) and/or Degree Navigator (if you’re a continuing student).

 
   
 
CONTACT US
 
  Still have questions after reviewing this information? Email testingandplacement@rutgers.edu. We’d be happy to help!

 
 
Other Important Info
Placement Test Information with Mandarin Translations
World Language Testing Information
Academic Integrity Agreement
Frequently Asked Questions