WHAT PLACEMENT TEST IS ADMINISTERED AT KEAN?
Kean University administers the Essay, Reading Comprehension and Elementary Algebra sections of the ACCUPLACER Computerized Placement Test. Students with higher-range scores on the Elementary Algebra section will also take the more-advanced College-Level Mathematics section. For detailed descriptions of the test sections and sample questions, click on the ACCUPLACER Tests link at the top of this page. In addition, the WebCAPE Foreign Language Placement Exam is now administered to students who have previously studied FRENCH, GERMAN or SPANISH in high school and plan to continue studying the language.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM REQUIRED TO TEST?
Some freshmen and most transfers are exempt from all or part of placement testing because of their SAT scores or coursework completed at other colleges. For more information about testing requirements and exemptions, click on the Who Must Test link at the top of this page.
HOW/WHEN SHOULD I REGISTER FOR PLACEMENT TESTING?
You should register for a placement testing appointment as soon as possible after (1) you have received official notice of your acceptance to Kean from the Admissions Office and (2) you have been notified that you are required to test. Although Kean conducts many test sessions for incoming students throughout the year, it is to your advantage to test as soon as possible because delaying testing can delay when you register for classes and thereby limit your choice of classes. To view a list of upcoming test dates and to register for an appointment to test on one of those dates, click on the Register For Test link at the top of this page. Please Note: Students admitted through the Spanish-Speaking Program cannot register for testing using this on-line system (see explanation on main page).
WHAT IS “COMPUTERIZED” TESTING?
You will test at a personal computer, using the keyboard to type your essay and the mouse to click on answers to multiple-choice questions that will appear on the screen. The test instructions and procedures are easy to understand, and a test administrator or proctor is always present should you have any questions or problems. The major advantage of computerized testing is that it is adaptive. This means that the computer automatically determines which questions are presented to you based on your responses to prior questions. This technique "zeroes-in" on just the right questions to ask you without being too easy or too difficult. For more detailed information about computer-adaptive tests, click on the ACCUPLACER Tests link at the top of this page.
HOW LONG DOES TESTING TAKE?
All test sections are untimed, except the essay (50-minute time limit). Typically, students spend approximately 30 minutes on each multiple-choice test section.
HOW ARE PLACEMENT TEST RESULTS USED?
Placement testing provides information about your levels of proficiency in the skill areas tested (reading, writing, and math). This information is used to place you in appropriate-level courses. In some cases, these courses will be non-college-credit courses or intensive college-level courses designed to help you improve your skills and support your college-level studies. Because your test results will determine which courses you will be required to take, it is very important that you take this testing seriously and that you perform to the best of your abilities.
HOW/WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED OF MY TEST RESULTS?
Immediately following placement testing, you will receive an Individual Score Report consisting of your placement test scores/course placements. If you receive an Essay score of 5 or below (PENDING), your official course placement will be determined by one of Kean’s English Faculty members. If you are placed in a Developmental Math course, you may be asked to meet with a Math Advisor, to discuss further assessment and/or remediation. Additional handouts will be distributed. It is recommended that you carefully review these materials at home.
WHERE ARE KEAN’S PLACEMENT TESTS ADMINISTERED?
All placement test sessions for incoming Kean students are held on Kean’s main campus, in the "Center for Academic Success" building. Most test sessions are small group sessions, administered by the Placement Testing Office Staff.
HOW CAN I ARRANGE FOR SPECIAL TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS?
If you have a physical or documented learning disability that may entitle you to testing accommodations based on your individual needs, please contact Ms. Donna Dingle, Disability Services; Downs Hall (DN 122), (908) 737-4910 or e-mail disabilityservices@kean.edu
SHOULD I BRING A CALCULATOR TO THE TEST?
No, you cannot use your own calculator when taking the test. However, you may get questions that allow you to use a simple-function drop-down calculator that will display on your screen.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER TESTING REGULATIONS?
No books, dictionaries, calculators, or papers of any kind are allowed in the test room. Anyone who gives or receives help during the test, or uses their cell phone or the Internet to obtain answers, will not be permitted to continue the test. Test scores can be invalidated if there is any reason to question their validity.
DO ESL STUDENTS TAKE DIFFERENT PLACEMENT TESTS?
If you read and/or write best in a language other than English and therefore may need to take English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, you should take the ESL Placement Test instead of the sections of the ACCUPLACER Computerized Placement Test designed for native speakers of English. To make an appointment to take the ESL Placement Test, call Kean University’s Placement Testing Office at (908) 737-0340. If you are not sure if you need ESL testing or courses, please contact Kean University’s ESL Program for advisement at (908) 737-0420.
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR TESTING?
To ensure that test scores accurately represent your skill levels, you may wish to review basic concepts in reading, grammar, and algebra before taking ACCUPLACER. Many students find that SAT Preparation or SAT review books are helpful in refreshing their basic skills. In addition, please click on the following tabs on this website and carefully read/review the following:
- ACCUPLACER Test (click-on) for a test description
- Resources for Students (click-on) to view a practice test/ sample test questions
HOW WILL I KNOW IF A TEST SESSION IS CANCELLED BECAUSE OF SNOW?
If snow forces the cancellation of a placement test session scheduled at Kean, a message providing cancellation/rescheduling information will be recorded on the Placement Testing Office voice-mail at (908) 737-0340.
WHERE CAN I GET DIRECTIONS TO KEAN OR VIEW A CAMPUS MAP?
For directions to the campus and/or a campus map, click on the following link: (www.kean.edu./directions.html).
WHERE SHOULD I PARK WHEN I COME TO A TEST SESSION?
Do not park in any space with yellow lines. These yellow-lined spaces are reserved for faculty/staff. And of course you should not park in any designated medical permit or handicapped parking spaces without needed authorization. On Saturdays, you should have no trouble finding a parking space close to the location of your test. However, on weekdays when classes are in full session, you may have to park farther away, so make sure you give yourself enough time to find a parking spot and still arrive at the test session on time. Please remember to place your "Parking Permit" on the driver's side of your dashboard, facing outward.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO THE TEST SESSION?
You should bring your confirmation letter so you have a record of exactly when/where you should report for testing. You will need your Student ID # which is printed on this form. Also, you must present at least one valid photo ID (i.e. current Driver’s License, HS/College/University ID, State or Federal ID Card, Passport or Naturalization Card/Certificate of Citizenship) on the day of the test. Students arriving without a valid photo ID will be denied admission to the testing lab.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I ARRIVE LATE TO A TEST SESSION?
The test administrator will not admit latecomers to the testing room once the test session is in progress, so you will have to arrange to test at another time.
CAN I TAKE THE PLACEMENT TEST AT ANOTHER NJ COLLEGE?
If you plan to attend Kean University, you should take the placement test administered at Kean. It may be possible to transfer placement test scores from another school, but only if that school administers comparable sections of the ACCUPLACER test or the New Jersey College Basic Skills test and if the school’s testing office is able/willing to provide us with a copy of your essay.
CAN I TAKE THE TEST MORE THAN ONCE?
No, additional attempts at the test are not permitted unless your initial test results are more than a year old.
CAN I TAKE THE TEST BEFORE I APPLY OR AM ADMITTED TO KEAN?
No, these placement tests are only for students who have already been admitted to Kean.
WILL MY TEST RESULTS AFFECT MY ADMISSION STATUS?
No. The placement test is not an admissions test and your test results in no way affect your admissions status. Test results are used for course placement purposes only.
WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IF I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT TESTING?
You should contact the Coordinator of Testing in Kean’s Placement Testing Office by calling (908) 737-0340.
