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Seton Hall University
Pirate Adventure

Placement Testing

All Placement Testing must be taken by June 1. Students who fail to take their placement tests may not be able to register for fall classes during New Student Orientation. Some students need to take placement tests in English, math and/or a foreign language in order to be placed in the correct course level. For general questions, please email placement-testing@shu.edu.

How does Placement Testing Work?

  • When you log in to PirateNet to confirm your attendance, you will see the tests you will be required to take. Each test has a link to the online testing.
  • The math placement test is progressive and timed; students must pass one part to continue on to the next level.
  • All students with a language requirement must take a language placement test before they can register for any language classes. Students taking any language placement test other than Latin will need a microphone on their computers for the speaking portion of the test. 

Math Placement Testing

The Math and Computer Science department offers a wide variety of math courses and has established placement procedures to place students in courses commensurate with their skill level and requirements for their career goals.

Students are placed into their math class based on the results of the Math Placement Test, AP Calculus Exam score, and their accepted major. Students above 700 on their SAT Math or above 30 on their ACT Math score will be automatically placed into the Math class for their major.

All students are encouraged to take one of the Math Placement Test.

There are two versions of the Math Placement Test:

Math Placement Test for STEM:

  • For STEM majors or students required to take Precalculus (Math 1015) or Calculus (Math 1401/1501), you will take the Math Placement Test for STEM.
  • This test will cover materials traditionally covered in Algebra 2, Precalculus and Trigonometry
  • Students taking this test will be placed into College Algebra, Precalculus or Calculus.

Math Placement Test for Non-STEM:

  • For non-STEM majors (no Precalculus or Calculus required for your major), you will take the Math Placement Test for Non-STEM.
  • This test will cover topics covered in Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and Precalculus.
  • Students taking this test will be placed into Developmental Math, Statistical Models for Social Science, Math Perspectives, Math for Educators, or Finite Math with Applied Calculus for Business.

Other information:

  • You are required to take only one of the tests.
  • You must take the test on your own, without books, and without help.
  • You may use a calculator.
  • Please use either Chrome or Firefox to take the test.
  • The test needs to be taken in a single sitting. You cannot save the test and continue at another time.

If you have any questions about taking the test, please email Dr. Wendiann Sethi, Coordinator for Math Placement at mathplacement@shu.edu.

English Placement Survey

It used to be that you would take a set of three placement tests over a two-hour period, and the English Department would determine the best course for you to take. Many colleges around the country are now using a new system, called "directed self-placement," which makes students part of the placement process. In fact, you will actually choose which writing course you take. 

The Directed Self-Placement is a series of exercises and questions that will help you evaluate yourself as a reader and writer and help you decide which first-year writing course is best for you. You will need about 1 1/2 hours to complete the survey, but it is not timed. Take it when your mind and body are fresh and rested. Steps 1 and 2 will help you evaluate your reading and writing background. (You will be asked to read a brief article and write a short essay at one point.) Steps 3 and 4 will describe the choices you can make and will help you match your background with the best course for you. In step 5, you will choose your course.

When you click on the English Placement link in the New Student Orientation portal, you will be asked to log in again with the credentials you have used to log into the portal.

Please realize that if you don't do all the steps carefully you may place yourself in the wrong course or you may be asked to take parts of the survey over again, making it harder to get the schedule you want. So do it right the first time! If you have any questions or problems, please contact Prof. Ed Jones.

Language Placement Testing

If your major requires a foreign language (you can see "Take language placement test" when you log in to PirateNet), you must take the Language Placement Test before you can register for any language courses. Tests are available for Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, Spanish.

You can continue studying the language you learned in high school, or you can try a new language. Please note that you do not have to study the same language you take the test in, but you cannot register for any level class (including 1001–Beginner/Elementary) without a placement test in a language. For example: You studied Spanish in high school, but would like to study French at Seton Hall.  You should take the Spanish placement test and, once your score is finalized and posted to your profile, you can register for French classes.

Students who have bilingual proficiency in a language not taught at SHU have a few options:

  • Provide certified documentation* in place of the language placement test. This proof of proficiency/bilingualism can be used to satisfy the requirement entirely, or you can choose to study a new language beginning at the Elementary/Introductory 1 level. You must submit a certification to the Global Learning Center before you can register for a beginner/elementary class in another language.

* Accepted certifications include the Avant Seal of Biliteracy, ACTFL OPI Certificate, other recognized language/cultural organizations’ certifications of proficiency, etc., in consultation with the Global Learning Center.

  • Take a proficiency test through our approved testing service. These tests are not free; students can expect to pay around $165 for one. The test consists of a phone interview with a native speaking proctor. Instructions on how to register for a proficiency test are available here. Once a student completes the proficiency test, they must forward the results to the Global Learning Center for review. The process can take some time, so be sure to plan ahead if you want to register for a language class in the coming semester.
     
  • Study a new language or add a major/minor. We encourage students with proficiency in any language to consider taking up a new one. Students might also consider a double major or a minor in a new language or the one in which they are bilingual.

For more information on the language placement tests, including how to take them, please visit the Global Learning Center’s Language Placement Testing page for details and FAQ.

For any other help or questions, please contact the Global Learning Center.

Getting Ready to Take Your Tests?

  • Check Your Browser
    Recommended Windows Browsers: Firefox®, Google Chrome®,
    Mac OS X® 10.6 or 10.7 Browsers: Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari
  • Before taking a test, make sure you have pencil and scrap paper available and that you have sufficient amount of time without interruption or distraction.

  • Taking a language placement test? Be sure your computer’s microphone is working.

If you need accommodation to take your placement tests, please reach out to the Office of Disability Support Services at (973) 313-6003