Testing & Placement

Now that you have been admitted to Rutgers–New Brunswick, you will need to take placement tests to determine your preparedness 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, since they are 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 outcomes. You cannot fail the placement tests and the results have no impact on your admission to Rutgers.

First-year students must complete required placement tests within 30 days of accepting your offer of admission to Rutgers (unless awaiting accommodations processing by the Office of Disability Services). Students must complete all required tests to attend an academic planning and advising program and submit their course requests.

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.

• English placement testing is 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.
• Math placement testing is required for all incoming first-year students, unless exempt.
• World language placement testing is required for all:
  • School of Arts and Sciences students (including Honors Program and Honors College students)
  • International students who plan to study their first language (other than English) at Rutgers
  • Students in the Honors College through the Rutgers Business School

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, and 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. American Sign Language(ASL): We do not offer an American Sign Language (ASL) placement test. If you do not have experience in any other world language, you are exempt from the world language placement test. Please contact your school if you have further questions. 

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.

Please register with the Office of Disability Services and receive approval for accommodations (e.g. extra time, reader, scribe) before testing. Tests can only be taken once, with the exception of the math placement test, which can be taken twice. 

Do not take any placement tests if your accommodations process is not yet complete. Test attempts cannot be reset once you access the test. Testing deadlines will be extended accordingly for students awaiting accommodations – the 30-day and 72-hour deadlines do not apply in these instances.

If you have questions about placement tests, please email otp@irap.rutgers.edu. Although email is the best way to reach us, you can also call 848-932-0573.

Helpful Tips When You Email Us

• Only use your official Rutgers email address to email us.
• Include your nine-digit RUID number.
• Include screenshots when possible.
• If you are having issues with a placement test, please specify which test.
• Consider that updated placements take 1-2 weeks to process and appear in the student portal.
• Please do not resend your email.