Placement Testing

Placement into the appropriate level of reading, writing, and math courses is determined by multiple measures such as high school GPA; SAT or ACT scores and/or AP scores or transferred courses. After acceptance into the university, students should follow the Five Steps to Enrollment and register for a virtual Academic Advising appointment. During the advising appointment, students will receive their course placements and other information pertaining to registration.

Please read the information below regarding course placement at Kean University.

SAT Test-Optional

SAT Test-Optional students are not required to submit SAT or ACT test scores for acceptance into Kean University. However, all students who have taken the SAT or ACT exams are encouraged to submit official scores to the Office of Admissions as soon as possible in order to  support placement in the appropriate college courses. High school grades and GPA will determine placement for students who do not submit official SAT or ACT scores.

High School Transcript

• Student’s placement into college-level or developmental courses may be based on unweighted high school GPA and other criteria drawn from high school transcripts.
• High school transcripts must be within 3 years of graduation date to be employed for course placements.
• If high school transcripts are incomplete, the student must send an updated official transcript with final grades for reevaluation of placement before the start of the semester.
• If a high school transcript indicates ESL/ELL courses, students will be required to take the ESL ACCUPLACER placement test. Please read the section below: Placement for First-Year ESL Students.

Advanced Placement

Students who have passed Advanced Placement (AP) examinations with a minimum score of 3 or higher may receive college credit for General Education requirements where applicable. Official AP scores must be submitted to the Office of Admissions at Kean University. For more information about AP credits, click here.

For more information, please contact the Placement Testing Office at placements@kean.edu or call (908) 737-0340.

Kean University policy requires that all incoming ESL students take the ACCUPLACER placement test to assess their skills in writing, reading, language use, and math. In addition to the placement test, an oral interview will be required to determine speaking and listening courses. The ESL placement test is administered on campus and immediately followed by an in-person oral interview with the ESL Program.

It is strongly encouraged that students study for the placement test. Visit ACCUPLACER Resources for Students, where you will find sample test questions.

To see a list of upcoming ESL testing dates and to register for an appointment to take the test, click here. Applicants not accepted to Kean University cannot register to take the test.

For further information about ESL placement testing, call the Placement Testing Office at (908) 737-0340 or by email at testing@kean.edu. You may also contact the ESL Office at (908) 737-0420 or email esl@kean.edu.

Students admitted into the EPIC program must take the ACCUPLACER placement test and will be notified with more detail about this test through their Kean and personal email account.

Placement for incoming transfer students in reading, writing, and math is determined by the transcript evaluation process. SAT, ACT, or AP scores are also acceptable (see criteria above). Transfer students are exempt from developmental courses and the placement test based on the following criteria:

• Transferred ENG 1030 or ENG 2403 (or GE 202X): Exempt from developmental reading and writing courses.
• Transferred COMM 1402 or PSY 1000 or SOC 1000 with a grade of B or above: Exempt from developmental reading.
• Transferred college-level math or MATH 0901 equivalent: Exempt from developmental math.
• Transfer ESL students please note: Incoming English as a Second Language (ESL) students who have not received transfer credit for college-level Composition must take Kean’s ESL reading and writing placement tests for placement into appropriate-level ESL courses.

After the transcript evaluation process is complete, newly accepted transfer students must schedule an appointment to meet with a faculty advisor from their department. To schedule an appointment, click here.

NOTE: Students transferring from schools outside of the US are required to take the ESL ACCUPLACER placement test.