Testing and Class Registration for First Year Students

All first-year students are required to take the ACCUPLACER placement exam, prior to registering for your first semester classes. These computer-based placement exams will be used to determine the appropriate level of your first English and mathematics courses at Rutgers. These exams are important so you should take them seriously and do your best. If your scores are not sufficient to place you in college-level courses, you will be required to enroll in developmental courses in English and mathematics. These assessments are not admissions tests. They are specifically designed to use as a tool for placement and to help ensure academic success at Rutgers-Newark.

All students will automatically be assigned a registration date based on the testing date they signed up for. During registration, all students will meet with an academic advisor to review general education requirements and to make course selections for the upcoming semester.

English Exam-
There are three parts to the English placement exam: Sentence Sense, Reading Comprehension and an essay. Students’ writing will be evaluated on the understanding of the text, response to the question and mastery of grammar and syntax. You will have 2 ½ hours to complete the English portion of the exam.

Math Exam-
Math concepts will range from basic computation to fractions, decimals, linear equations, quadratic expressions, algebraic expressions, algebra, trigonometry, logarithms, pre-calculus and calculus. You will have 1 ½ hours to complete the math portion of the exam.

Are there any testing exemptions?
There are certain students who may be exempt from the English portion of the placement tests. The guidelines for these exemptions are listed below and there are no exceptions to these guidelines. Students will automatically be exempted if eligible, therefore, they need not to contact our office prior to testing.

English Exemptions

• First-year students with a verbal SAT of 550 or better
• First-year students accepted into the Honors College will be automatically placed in an Honors level English course
• First-year students who score a “4” or “5” on the AP English Composition Exam (please note: if you are expecting your AP scores and do not have your results yet, you still MUST test).

Math Exemptions

• A score of “4” or “5” on the AP/AB series (CALCULUS I) or AP/BC series (CALCULUS II) (please note: if you are expecting your AP scores and do not have your results yet, you still MUST test).

How much time does the ACCUPLACER placement test require, and what must be brought to the test center?
You should allow approximately four hours for the entire exam. ACCUPLACER is a self-paced, computerized test. This allows you to proceed at your own rate, however, you must stay within the time allowed.

You MUST bring the following information and supplies on the day of the test:

• Photo ID (driver's license or high school ID with photo) *You will not be allowed to test without a valid photo ID!!
• Your RUID number
• Pen or pencil

You may NOT bring:

• Books, dictionaries, notes, or papers
• Calculators, cell phones, or any other electronic devices
• Food or beverages

* Students who give or receive help during the placement exam, use notes or aid of any kind, or remove test materials from the testing center will not be permitted to finish the exam, and their scores will be disallowed. The University will void any test scores if there is any reason to question its validity.

Class Registration

All first year students are required to attend Advisement & Class Registration on their assigned date and time. Students will receive academic advisement, register for classes and be introduced to deans and academic advisors. Students should plan to be on campus for approximately 3-4 hours. In preparation, students should familiarize themselves with the Rutgers Web Registration system and browse the University Schedule of Classes online. In order to expedite the registration process, students should also create their NetId accounts ahead of time. Due to limited seating, unfortunately we will not be able to accommodate students’ family members or friends during advisement and registration session.