Placement Testing at Stockton University

students taking a test

Placement testing is a valuable resource that ensures proper course placement for incoming students. Our goal is to match students with the “just right” level of course–not too hard and not too easy. We depend on students to do their best when they take their placement testing to ensure the best course experience and most efficient pathway to a degree.

Students cannot pass or fail their placement tests, but we encourage students to take the tests when healthy and well rested, to review our online test preparation materials to prepare themselves for what the tests will cover and the format of the tests, and to do their best. 

The tests are not timed, and we encourage students not to feel anxious about how they will do. 

Stockton uses College Board's Accuplacer testing platform.  

How can I schedule an Accuplacer test at one of the Stockton locations?

Accuplacer testing is administered at both the Galloway Township campus and the Manahawkin campus. For Galloway campus testing, please check in at the Admissions Office. We request that you arrive at least 15 minutes before your session.

You can view a map of the Galloway campus here, and information about our Manahawkin campus can be viewed here.


April 2024 Testing Dates

Monday, April 1st:
1 PM - 4 PM

Tuesday, April 9th:
1 PM - 4 PM

Monday, April 22nd:

1 PM - 4 PM

 

Tuesday, April 2nd:
1 PM - 4 PM

Monday, April 15th:
1 PM - 4 PM

Tuesday, April 23rd: 

1 PM - 4 PM

 

Monday, April 8th:
1 PM - 4 PM

Tuesday, April 16th:
1 PM - 4 PM

 

 


May I retake my placement test?

Accuplacer Testing
  • You may take a second attempt on the math portions of the accuplacer. If you have been moved forward from the APQS (Quantitative Reasoning) exam into APAA (Advanced Algebra & Functions), you will only have to retake the second math exam, Advanced Algebra & Functions. You must wait 5 days to retake the exams. You may not the test retake the test in the same week. 

Do I need to take a placement test?

First Year Students
  • You must complete placement testing for math, reading, and writing
  • You will be placed in a First-Year Seminar and writing course based on your SAT/ACT results.
  • If your Math SAT score was 570 or higher, or your Math ACT score was 24 or higher, you are exempt from math placement testing.
  • If your Math SAT score was below 570, or your math ACT score was 23 or lower, you must complete math placement testing.
Transfer Students

 Transfer students with 16 or more credits are not required to take Accuplacer.

Typically, transfer students with at least 16 credits are not subject to placement testing.

However, students hoping to transfer into a math or science program who have not yet completed an algebra course at the college level will be given a chance to test out of algebra by way of Accuplacer's Advanced Algebra and Functions test.

These students will be informed of this option via email. This test is voluntary. If you are notified and choose not to take this test, you will be placed into Stockton's highest algebra course.

For more information on testing out of algebra and the Advanced Algebra and Functions test, view our Frequently Asked Questions section below.

Can I be exempt from placement testing?

Yes, there are several scenarios, listed below, in which you can be exempt from placement testing.

  • If you received a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC exams you are exempt from placement testing.
  • If you received a score of 3, 4 or 5 on the AP Statistics test you are exempt from placement testing.
  • Please note that all AP scores must be submitted to Stockton University to be exempt from placement testing.
  • View credit awards for AP exams
  • If you have dual high school credits, you MAY be exempt from placement testing. You must submit the transcript(s) to Stockton University from the college or university that provided the dual high school course to determine if you are exempt from placement testing.
  • If you have credits from another college or university, you MAY be exempt from placement testing. You must submit your transcript(s) to Stockton University from any institution that you have attended to determine if you are exempt from placement testing.
  • If you have previously taken an Accuplacer test at another institution, it may apply to your course placement at Stockton.

    You will need to contact the institution which administered your Accuplacer test(s) to arrange a digital copy of your individual score report(s) be sent to via email to Stockton University's Testing Services account below. 

    PlacementTestingRoom@stockton.edu

    You may also request a paper copy be sent in a sealed envelope to the Center for Academic Advising.
  • Stockton University uses the following Accuplacer exams for placement, and will accept scores from other institutions for these exams:
    • Next Generation Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (APQS)
    • Next Generation Advanced Algebra and Functions (APAA)
    • Next Generation Reading (APRC)
    • Next Generation Writing (APSS)

 

Do I need to come to Stockton for placement testing?

You are not required to take Accuplacer at Stockton. College Board’s Accuplacer tests are universal, meaning the test questions are not specific to each institution. These tests are utilized by many colleges and universities throughout New Jersey.

Taking the Accuplacer at Stockton is free of cost. Other locations will likely charge a proctoring fee which will vary depending on the institution. Testing dates and times at each institution will vary. Stockton does not arrange student appointments with other testing centers. Contact your preferred location to schedule an appointment.

To arrange a test voucher, click the blue "Request a Virtual Voucher" button at the top of this page, and fill out the form. Vouchers will be delivered to the email provided within 5-7 business days. The email will come from "No Reply Accuplacer". If you have further questions, please email the address below. 

PlacementTestingRoom@stockton.edu

In the table below, you can find a list of in-state institutions capable of administering your required Accuplacer test(s).

Approved Voucher Locations

Institution Name

Site Name

City

County College of Morris

CCM - Randolph

Randolph

Essex County College

Essex

Newark

Union County College

Cranford

Cranford

Raritan Valley Community College

RVCC Main

Branchburg

Brookdale Community College

Brookdale CC Lincroft

Lincroft

Mercer County Community College

Mercer County Community College Academic Testing Center

West Windsor

Salem Community College

Salem CSC Testing

Carneys Point

Rowan College at Burlington County

RCBC Campus - Mt. Laurel Campus

Mt. Laurel

Rowan College at Gloucester County

Rowan College at Gloucester County Testing

Sewell

Ocean County College

Ocean County College Main Campus

Toms River

Next Generation Reading (APRC)

Next Generation Writing (APSS)

Next Generation Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (APQS)

Next Generation Advanced Algebra and Functions (APAA)

Please Note: We will accept Accuplacer scores from other institutions as long as they are one of the tests mentioned above.

Stockton University is comprised of a diverse population of students from all over the United States and abroad. If you are attending Stockton as an out-of-state resident and need to complete placement testing, please visit our out-of-state placement testing page for more options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Accuplacer is an online, interactive test module developed by College Board. It gauges a student’s grasp of a particular subject at the time the test is taken.

Stockton University uses Accuplacer scores to provide more timely and accurate information to inform course placement. Our goal is to place students in courses most appropriate for their skill level.

No, you may still submit your SAT scores even after you have applied as a test-optional student. Your reading and writing results will be used to place you in a first-year seminar and writing course, respectively, regardless of your score. If your Math SAT score is below 570, or your ACT score is below 24, you will still need to complete placement testing in mathematics.

If you have applied to Health Sciences or a STEM major at Stockton, and have received a general admission, you may complete your testing before depositing. 

Excuse letters will be available to any student who may need to take time off from school to complete their placement test. Ask your test administrator for details.

Accuplacer tests are untimed and consist of twenty multiple choice questions. The amount of time needed to complete testing varies on a student-to-student basis. 

You are not permitted to use a calculator for Accuplacer testing. However, some questions will have an interactive calculator available within the testing module. Scrap paper and pencils will be provided for your testing session(s).

Your test score(s) will be generated immediately upon completion of your session. 

For more information, please visit our course placement page using the link below.

Course placement at Stockton 

Yes, an additional test, known as the Advanced Algebra and Functions (APAA)Accuplacer, is offered to students wanting to enter any of the following undergraduate majors:

  • Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
  • Biology
  • Biology/Medical Technology dual degree
  • Dual-Degree Business Administration
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Engineering dual-degree programs
  • Environmental Science
  • Dual-Degree Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Exercise Science
  • Geology
  • Health Sciences
  • Nursing
  • Marine Science
  • Mathematics
  • Pharmaceutical Engineering dual degree
  • Pharmacy dual degree
  • Physician Assistant dual degree
  • Accelerated Medical dual degree (Pre-Med)
  • Physics
  • Sustainability

 

To qualify for this test, students must first successfully place into Algebraic Problem Solving/Intermediate Algebra on the initial Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (APQS) Accuplacer by scoring a 256 or higher.

Should you score a 256 or higher on the APQS test, the APAA test is administered directly after completion of the first Accuplacer. Students must score a 260 or higher to be placed into any of the majors listed above.

Some options that an advisor might recommend are:

  • Take a college-level Algebra course at a regionally accredited community college over the summer to fulfill the necessary Algebra prerequisite for MATH 1100 - Precalculus Mathematics.
  • Begin as a “Conditional” concentration in your desired major in your first semester, complete the prerequisites for Precalculus Mathematics (MATH 1100), and then declare your desired concentration upon completion.

Test scores are only one criterion for admission into Stockton's Prelicensure BSN program. Getting the required Advanced Algebra and Functions Accuplacer score does not equate to acceptance into the Nursing program.

You will need to speak with an Academic Advisor after testing. An appointment is recommended. For additional information regarding Stockton's Prelicensure BSN program, visit their web page linked here.

Students that are interested in the Accelerated Nursing Program must have a conferred Bachelor's Degree with all required science courses. See the Accelerated Nursing page for admission criteria. There is not an internal transfer program for the 4-year prelicensure Nursing Program.

The Accuplacer is an adaptive test which means the computer will automatically decide the next question to give you based on your responses to previous questions. This enables the computer to find the individual level of difficulty that is correct for you. Because of the adaptability, you cannot omit any questions or come back to change an answer later. The question is not timed, so you can think about each question thoroughly. If you do not know an answer to a question, try to eliminate one or more answers and make an educated guess to the correct answer.

The links below will direct you to College Board’s study material for their Accuplacer tests.

Students applying to Stockton as test-optional (not submitting SAT and/or ACT scores) will need to complete Accuplacer for placement in both reading and writing. Students who have submitted SAT/ACT scores will not be subject to placement testing in either of these areas. Test-optional students can prepare for the reading and writing Accuplacer tests using the links below.

Additional study material can be found in the links below.

If you do not achieve the necessary score to get into your desired major program or have additional inquiries, contact Stockton University's Testing Services via email linked here.

What Accuplacer SOATEST Codes Mean

Accuplacer Math Scores

APQS cores below 234 places students in to FRST 1102: Mathematical Thinking (course holds credit value towards graduation but does not fulfill a Q requirement). Students who place into this course will need a C or better to move into FRST1103, where they will need a C or better to earn Q credit. APQS - Quantitative Reasoning Exam: Accuplacer Test scores determine placement.

APQS Scores of 235 - 255 places students into FRST 1103: Quantitative Reasoning. Students who earn a C or better in this course earn their Q1 requirement. 

APQS Scores of 256 and above places students into "Choice of Q1" . APQS scores of APQS 256 will trigger the APAA (also known as AAF) Advanced Algebra and Functions Exam to open. 

APAA scores of 260 - 284 places students into Math 1100: Pre-Calculus. Math 1100 is needed for NAMS, Health Science, Computer Information Systems and Computer Science.

APAA scores of 285 and above places students into Math 2215: Calculus. 

APRC - Accuplacer Reading Test

APRC scores below a 250 places students into FRST 1002: Critical Thinking and Reading.

APSS - Accuplacer Writing Course Stockton University does not take WritePlacer Scores.

APSS scores below 250 places students into FRST 1101: College Writing. Students who earn a C or better in this course earn a W1 requirement. 

Students with 16 credits or greater who have not transferred in a College Algebra Course (Statistics does not qualify) will be tested for Math to fullfill math placement requirement.Testing is done to ensure that student is Math Ready for their major so they are set up to suceed.