Montclair State University Placement Test (MSUPT)

Frequently Asked Questions

PLACEMENT TESTING AT MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY AND YOU!
Congratulations on your acceptance to Montclair State University! We look forward to having you join our "family."
An important part of your success in college will be enrolling in courses that are best suited to your level of preparation and career goals. The first step in this process is for you to take the Montclair state University Placement Test (MSUPT). At Montclair State University, this test is administered by Center for Academic Development and Assessment and must be taken before a student’s first semester of enrollment.

1. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PLACEMENT TEST?
2. WHEN MUST I TAKE THE MSUPT?
3. ARE SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS AVAILABLE?
4. IS ANYONE EXEMPT FROM THE MSUPT?
5. IS THERE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES?
6. HOW WILL MY TEST SCORES BE USED?
7. IS CREDIT GIVEN FOR DEVELOPMENTAL COURSES?
8. WHEN SHOULD I TAKE MY REQUIRED DEVELOPMENTAL COURSES?

1. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PLACEMENT TEST?
The MSUPT is used to assess your individual skills in language and mathematics, and to assist you and your advisor in making decisions about the kinds of courses you are prepared to take. Your scores will also indicate what areas of the Montclair State University Basic Skills requirements you have satisfied.

2. WHEN MUST I TAKE THE MSUPT?
You are expected to take required basic skills courses during your first semester at Montclair State University. Therefore, it is important that you take the MSUPT before you register, so that you may receive a schedule appropriate to your needs and wishes. You will be scheduled for placement testing after you accept our offer of admission and return the MSU Placement Test Reply Form attached below. The Placement Test is given free of charge to all students admitted to Montclair State University. Your prompt return of the Test Reply Form will assure that you may complete your registration properly.

3. ARE SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS AVAILABLE?
Upon receipt of the Test Reply Form, we will mail you a test date confirmation letter, a web link which includes sample test questions. Samples are also available from the home page of this link.

4. IS ANYONE EXEMPT FROM THE MSUPT?
All full-time and part-time students are required to take the MSUPT. However, the following students may apply for exemption from the Placement Test by checking the appropriate line on the Test Reply Form and returning it to Center for Academic Development and Assessment:

• All students with SAT Critical Reading scores greater than or equal to 550 are exempt from all remedial and developmental coursework in reading, and do not need to take a reading placement test. All students with SAT MATH scores greater than or equal to 550 are exempt from all remedial coursework in mathematics, and do not need to take an algebra placement test. These students should confer with their academic advisors and enroll in the appropriate 100-level course in MATH.
• All students who completed high school Algebra II with a course grade of B- or better are exempt from all remedial coursework in mathematics, and do not need to take an algebra placement test. These students should confer with their academic advisors and enroll in the appropriate 100-level course in MATH.
• All students who completed BOTH high school English and History in their junior year with course grades of B or better are exempt from remedial and developmental coursework in reading, and do not need to take a reading placement test. These students should confer with their academic advisors and enroll in the appropriate college-level courses.
  Students entering Montclair State University with 24 or more college credits accepted by Montclair. Students will be asked to provide verification of these credits. However, students who plan to take advanced math courses must take the math sections of the test to determine appropriate placement regardless of transfer status.
• Students who have already taken the ACCUPLACER Test at another college (only scores on the ACCUPLACER test taken within the last three years will be accepted). Please arrange to have your test scores, along with records of developmental/remedial courses completed, forwarded immediately to Center for Academic Development and Assessment, Montclair State University, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043.
• Readmits to MSU who have already taken the Placement Test at Montclair or who, at the time of readmission, have accumulated 24 or more semester hour credits.
• Students registered in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. These students are required to take the math sections of the MSUPT; the reading and writing sections will be deferred until after ESL courses are completed.

5. IS THERE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES?
If you have a learning or physical disability that would prevent you from taking the test under standard conditions, you may request special accommodations and arrangements to take the test. No charge is made for these arrangements. For details, please contact the Wellness Services-Services For Students With Disabilities at (973) 655-5431.

6. HOW WELL MY TEST SCORES BE USED?
Your test scores will be used to determine whether or not you meet the level of proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics, as established in the Montclair State University Basic Skills requirement. Developmental courses are provided for students who do not score at the established proficiency levels on the reading, writing, and mathematics sections of the MSU Placement Test. These courses will assist you in performing well in your regular course work, and thus enhance your chances of success at Montclair State.

7. IS CREDIT GIVEN FOR DEVELOPMENTAL COURSES?
Credit toward status as a full-time or part-time student is given for all developmental courses. However, the three semester hour credits given for Basic Skills Math II (MATH 051/061) are additive and do not count toward graduation. Grades in some developmental courses do count toward the student’s grade point average (see the college catalog for details).

8. WHEN SHOULD I TAKE MY REQUIRED DEVELOPMENTAL COURSES?

Effective fall 2011, Montclair State University is revising the policies regarding basic skills mathematics and developmental reading courses. These changes are a result of careful consideration of curricular requirements at the University. Please read the new policies described below carefully to ensure a clear understanding of how these changes may affect you.

All Fall Entrants - Students who are entering Montclair State in the fall semester and are required to take READ 099 MUST enroll in and successfully complete the course prior to their first semester at the University. Failure by regularly admitted students to successfully complete this requirement by the end of the summer prior to the first semester at Montclair State will result in the rescinding of admission to the University and the denial of course enrollment in the fall semester.

Spring 2011 Entrants - Students who are entering Montclair State in the spring semester and are required to take READ 099 MUST immediately enroll in and successfully complete the course by the end of the spring semester. Failure by regularly admitted students to successfully complete this requirement by the end of the spring semester will result in the rescinding of admission to the University and the denial of course enrollment in the summer/fall semester.

Effective Spring 2012 for All Spring Entrants- Students who are entering Montclair State in the spring semester and are required to take READ 099 MUST immediately enroll in and successfully complete the course by the end of the spring semester. Students will be permitted to enroll only in READ 099 during the spring and will be ineligible to register for any additional courses during the semester in order for them to focus directly on completing this requirement. Failure to successfully complete this requirement by the end of the spring semester will result in the rescinding of admission to the University and the denial of course enrollment in the summer/fall semester.

Fall semester and spring semester entrants may also request permission to enroll in a comparable course at another higher education institution prior to their first semester at the University.
Students who are entering Montclair State in the fall semester and are required to take MATH 061 are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to enroll in and complete its equivalent, MATH 071, as part of the pre-college summer program, prior to their first semester at the University. If the requirement is not successfully completed in the summer, the student will be REQUIRED to take MATH 061 during the fall semester. If the course is not successfully completed during the fall, the student will have one FINAL OPPORTUNITY to retake and successfully complete MATH 061 during the spring.

Students who are entering Montclair State in the spring semester and are required to take MATH 061 MUST immediately enroll in the course. Spring entrants who fail to successfully complete this requirement by the end of the spring semester are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to enroll in and complete, MATH 061, during the following summer. If the course is not repeated and successfully completed during the summer, the student will have one FINAL OPPORTUNITY to retake and successfully complete MATH 061 during the fall semester.

Failure to complete MATH 061/071 within the first year of enrollment will result in admission to the University being rescinded and denial of course enrollment in the following semester.