Students who plan to take a precalculus, calculus, or economics course at TCNJ and students who have not declared a major may choose to take the placement test to determine their mathematics placement. Students who prefer to submit SAT or ACT mathematics scores for placement are welcome to do so.
Students with a declared major who do not plan to take precalculus, calculus, or economics do not need to complete any mathematics placement option. All students are encouraged to consult with their major department or advisor regarding the need for mathematics placement.
Incoming students needing placement should either take the placement test between April 1 and August 1 or submit SAT or ACT scores. If you choose to take the placement test, we recommend that you do so early in the testing window. This way, if you are not pleased with your result, you will have time to register for a TCNJ Summer Math course:
Summer Session A (6/10/24-7/11/24): Calculus A (MAT 127) or Calculus B (MAT128) or
Summer Session B (7/15/24-8/16/24): Intermediate Algebra (MAT095) or Introduction to Functions (MAT119) or PreCalculus (MAT120) or Calculus A (MAT 127) or Calculus B (MAT128) or Multivariable Calculus (MAT229).
Continuing students needing calculus placement may request access to the test at any time by emailing mathstat@tcnj.edu.
About the exam
The TCNJ Math Placement Exam is designed to measure your current knowledge of algebra and precalculus skills to find the math course in which you have the skills to be successful and which will help you progress in your chosen major. The Placement Exam consists of a Calculus Readiness Test and an Algebra Skills Test.
The Calculus Readiness Test covers the following topics: solving equations and systems of equations; graphs of equations, including linear equations; functions, including reading the graph of a function; exponential and logarithmic functions and equations; trigonometry, including both trigonometric identities and trigonometric functions and their graphs; volume and surface area of geometric figures; and reading, understanding, and applying mathematical definitions.
The Algebra Skills Test covers these topics: order of operations; combining like terms; exponent properties; radical expressions; multiplying polynomials; factoring polynomials; rational expressions, including compound fractions; rationalizing a denominator; modeling word problems with algebra; solving an expression for a variable; solving linear, rational, and quadratic equations; graphs of lines; solving systems of equations; solving inequalities graph on number line; and basic geometry formulas.
Students are allowed only one attempt of each placement test. It is recommended that you review before taking the test. Please visit our Algebra and Precalculus Self-Study Resources page for suggested resources.
Taking the exam
When you feel prepared, you may access the exam using the link below. Note your user ID is your full TCNJ email address (including @tcnj.edu) and your Password is your TCNJ PAWS ID. There is an optional practice exam on the exam site which you may take before taking the test if you wish. You may not use any outside sources (books, notes, calculators, internet, other people) to complete this test. If you use outside sources, you may find yourself placed into a math course for which you are unprepared, and you will be likely to fall behind in the course. It is important that your answers reflect your current skill level so that you are placed in a course where you are set up to succeed.
You should access the test using one of the following browsers and operating systems:
| Browser | Operating System |
| Internet Explorer 11 | Windows |
| Google Chrome | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android |
| Safari | MacOS, iOS |
Students requiring accommodations should contact TCNJ’s Accessibility Resource Center at arc@tcnj.edu to request these.
Students experiencing technical issues may refer to the “Troubleshooting” section of the DigitalEd help site for students.
If you are unable to resolve your issue, or if your computer crashes or you lose internet access in the middle of your test, please contact the TCNJ Department of Mathematics and Statistics at mathstat@tcnj.edu
Interpreting your results
When you complete your exam, you will be given your score(s). Please return here so that you can interpret these scores. These scores are chosen to ensure that you are placed in the course in which you are best prepared to succeed.
Most students are taking the placement test to be able to qualify for some form of Calculus. MAT 127: Calculus A, is generally required for science majors and MAT 125: Calculus for Business and Social Sciences, is required for some other majors. You should check your major’s department’s website and/or program advisor to determine which, if any, you need.
If you need MAT 127:
If you score 17 or more on the Calculus Readiness Test Exam, you can enroll in MAT 127 (and you do not have to take the Algebra Skills Test). If you don’t, check your Algebra Skills Test score. If you scored at least 15 on the Algebra Skills Test, you can take MAT 120: Precalculus which is the prerequisite for MAT 127. Otherwise, you should enroll in MAT 095: Intermediate Algebra which will prepare you for MAT 120.
If you need MAT 125:
If you score 15 or more on the Calculus Readiness Test Exam, you can enroll in MAT 125 (and you do not have to take the Algebra Skills Test) . If you don’t, check your Algebra Skills Test score. If you scored at least an 11 on the Algebra Skills Test, you can take MAT 119: Introduction to Functions, which is the prerequisite for MAT 125. Otherwise, you should enroll in MAT 095: Intermediate Algebra which will prepare you for MAT 119.
If you need MAT 120:
If you score 15 or more on the Calculus Readiness Test Exam or you score at least 15 on the Algebra Skills Test, you can take MAT 120. If you score below 15 on the Calculus Readiness Test Exam AND you score below 15 on the Algebra Skills Test, you should enroll in MAT 095: Intermediate Algebra which will prepare you for MAT 127.
If you need MAT 119:
If you score 15 or more on the Calculus Readiness Test Exam or you score at least 11 on the Algebra Skills Test, you can take MAT 119. If you score below 15 on the Calculus Readiness Test Exam AND you score below 11 on the Algebra Skills Test, you should enroll in MAT 095: Intermediate Algebra which will prepare you for MAT 125.