CHANGES TO PLACEMENT TESTING FOR NEW STUDENTS


We are here to support you through these challenging times, help you keep your college plans on track and get you enrolled for Summer or Fall 2021 Semester classes. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to make adjustments to our policies regarding placement testing. As a result, we are testing both in person and remotely for placement testing.

STEPS TO FOLLOW

RVCC is committed to providing you with the skills you need to be successful in College. Before enrolling in classes we want to make sure you have an appropriate level of skills in reading, writing, mathematics and the English language. Skill level can be demonstrated through SAT, ACT, PARCC/NJSLA or Advanced Placement scores or through following the new placement procedures explained below.

Step 1:

Determine if your scores on SAT, ACT, PARCC/NJSLA or Advanced Placement exams quality you for placement in college-level math and English classes. See the Exemptions tab below for details.

English Exemptions

English Placement 

First Time College Student Placement

Step 1: Check the Chart to see if you are ready for placement.

Test Score of GradeScore or GradePlacement
SAT (prior to March 2016)Reading 540English Composition 1 (ENGL 111)
SAT (after March 1, 2016)Evidence – Based Reading Writing 450English Composition 1 (ENGL 111)
ACTReading 24English Composition 1 (ENGL 111)
PARCC or NJSLAEnglish Literacy Arts grade 10 or grade 11, 4 or 5English Composition 1 (ENGL 111)

Step 2: Submit your test scores to the Admissions Office

SAT: Download the score report pdf (with your first and last name on report) from College Board at https://www.collegeboard.org/  Save the pdf to your desktop or file so that you can upload it to Mapping Xpress – a secure drop box.
Mapping Xpress
Password:  RVCC2020# (case sensitive)
You will need to use your RVCC Student ID# (example: Gnumber)
If you prefer, submit your official scores from College Board directly: The RVCC code for submitting SAT and PSAT test scores is 2867.

ACT: Download the score report pdf (with your first and last name on report) from ACT at http://www.act.org/ Save the pdf to your desktop or file so that you can upload it to Mapping Xpress – a secure drop box.
Mapping Xpress
Password:  RVCC2020# (case sensitive)
You will need to use your RVCC Student ID# (example: Gnumber)
If you prefer, submit your official scores from ACT directly. The RVCC code for submitting ACT test scores is 2609

PARCC or NJSLA:
Save your document as a pdf and upload it to Mapping Xpress – a secure drop box.
Mapping Xpress
Password:  RVCC2020# (case sensitive)
You will need to use your RVCC Student ID# (example: Gnumber)

If Mapping Xpress can not be access you may email your documents to admissions@raritanval.edu

Step 3: If Your Test Scores Don't Qualify You for Automatic Placement in English, No Problem.

In order to determine if you need the English or ESL placement test, you will need to complete the survey below.

Login with your RVCC Student ID#: Gnumber@stu.raritanval.edu and RVCC password: Rv number (case sensitive). If you have forgotten your password, please contact the HelpDesk at helpdesk@raritanval.edu or 908.526.1200 x7887

English/ESL Survey: https://commons.raritanval.edu/studentserv/testing/Pages/PlacementExemption.aspx

Advanced Placement

The following AP exams are accepted by RVCC:

  • English Lit/Comp, score of 3+ gives credit for both ENGL 111 and ENGL 112
  • English Language, score of 3+ gives credit for both ENGL 111 and ENGL 112

Placement for All Other Students

You are exempt from English Placement Testing if you:

  • Have taken an Accuplacer placement test at another New Jersey college
  • Have completed at least 24 college credits
  • Have satisfactorily completed college courses in English
  • Have a qualifying test score? See First Tme College Student Chart above

Math Exemptions

If you are seeking a degree you are required to take the Accuplacer placement tests for mathematics prior to enrolling with the following exceptions:

  • You took an Accuplacer placement test at another New Jersey college
  • You have completed at least 24 college credits including mathematics
  • You have satisfactorily completed college courses in mathematics
    For Advanced Placement (AP) information, click here

  • If your SAT, ACT or PARCC or NJSLA scores are:
SAT Score Before
March 2016		SAT Score After
March 1, 2016		ACT
Score		PARCC or NJSLA
Placement
Math
530-540		Math
500-549		Math
22		Algebra I
4 or 5		A selection of Non Math Intensive College Level Math courses (depending on major) or Intermediate Algebra
Math
550+		Math
550		Math
23		Algebra II
4 or 5		Pre-Calculus, Statistics, or a selection of other College Level Math courses (depending on major)

Please download the score report pdf (with your first and last name on report) from College Board (https://www.collegeboard.org/) or ACT (http://www.act.org/). Save the pdf to your desktop or file so that you can upload it to Mapping Xpress, which is a secure drop box.

Mapping Xpress
Password:  RVCC2020# (case sensitive)
You will need to use your RVCC Student ID# Gnumber

If you prefer, you can submit official scores from College Board and ACT directly: The RVCC code for submitting PSAT & SAT test scores is 2867.  The RVCC code for submitting ACT test scores is 2609

Email PARCC or NJSLA exemption documentation to admissions@raritanval.edu.

Step 2:

If your exam scores don't quality you for automatic placement in English or math courses, please see tabs below to determine the appropriate placement for you.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS

For questions about placement and exemptions email placement@raritanval.edu or call/text 908.399.7078 or 908.399.7268

To schedule a math placement test email tcenter@raritanval.edu

Math - Guidelines

Self-Placement Guidelines for Math Courses

This guide will help you determine which Math course is appropriate for you to give you the best chance of success.   You will need to consider:

  • Math course required for your major
  • Grades in high school math courses
  • Concepts you remember from high school math courses

What Math course does your major require?  Review your program sheet here if you are unsure.

Open the appropriate accordion below for your major.

  • Precalculus/Calculus Path – Majors that require Precalculus and/or Calculus. Must place into via exemption or the math placement test.
  • Statistics Path – Majors that require a Statistics course (If your major requires both Precalculus and Statistics, follow the Precalculus/Calculus Path)
  • Education Path – Majors that require Math Reasoning for Educators I/II. Must place into via exemption or the math placement test.
  • General Math Path – Majors that require a 3-credit General Education math course
  • Nursing Path – Nursing majors

If you do not know which path to choose or would like assistance selecting an appropriate Math class, please contact an Academic Advisor at acs@raritanval.edu or 908-526-1200 x8522.

Math - Precalculus/Calculus Path

Precalculus/Calculus Path

Students must demonstrate a certain level of proficiency in Algebra to enroll in the following list of courses.

MATH 112 Precalculus I
MATH 113 Precalculus II
MATH 151 Calculus I

This proficiency may be met through an Exemption (see Exemption in the accordion listed above) or appropriate score on the placement test.

Students can make an appointment to take the placement test by emailing tcenter@raritanval.edu and writing ‘Appointment’ in the subject line and stating in the email you wish to take the MATH placement test.

 

Math - Education Path

Education Path

Students must demonstrate a certain level of proficiency in Algebra to enroll in the following math courses for educators.

MATH 107 Math Reasoning: Logic and Numeration
MATH 108 Math Reasoning: Geometry and Statistics

This proficiency may be met through an Exemption (see Exemption accordion listed above) or appropriate score on the placement test.

Students can make an appointment to take the placement test by emailing tcenter@raritanval.edu and writing ‘Appointment’ in the subject line and stating in the email you wish to take the MATH placement test.


Math - General Math Path

General Education Path

The following placement guide will help you choose the appropriate Math course based on the highest level of Math that you completed in high school.  It is important that you review the required prior knowledge before selecting a course, especially if it has been more than five years since you graduated from high school.  The prerequisite content will not be taught in the course, so if you are not comfortable with the content you should enroll in the next lower level math course. 

If you are still undecided, please contact an Academic Advisor at acs@raritanval.edu or 908-526-1200 ext. 8522, or email the Chair of the Math & Computer Science Department Lori.Austin@raritanval.edu.

Highest Math Course in High School

HS Course Grade

Placement

 

Calculus

A, B, C

MATH 100/101/103c/106

D, F

Placement should be based on HS Precalculus grades (see below)

 

Precalculus/Trigonometry

(Algebra III)

A, B, C

MATH 100/101/103c/106

D, F

Placement should be based on HS Algebra II grades (see below)

 

Algebra II

A, B, C

MATH 100/101/103c/106

D, F

Placement should be based on HS Algebra I course (see below)

 

Algebra I

A, B, C

MATH 100/101/103c/106

C, D

MATH 101R or MATH 020 Elementary Algebra (Developmental)*

 

*Take MATH 020 if you are required to take MATH 100/103c/106, otherwise take MATH 101R

F

MATH 015 Basic Math (Developmental)

RVCC Math Course

Prior Knowledge Required to Take RVCC Math Course

MATH 100 Finite Math

MATH 101 Number Systems

MATH 103c Quantitative Reasoning

MATH 106 Technical Math

Prerequisite: MATH 020

exponents, polynomials, factoring, solving first degree equations and inequalities, rational and radical expressions, quadratic equations, techniques of graphing, systems of equations and applications

MATH 101R Number Systems w/Review

 

exponent and square root notation, ratios, proportions, percent, systems of measurement, geometry formulas and introduction to signed numbers

MATH 020 Elementary Algebra

Prerequisite: MATH 015

exponent and square root notation, ratios, proportions, percent, systems of measurement, geometry formulas and introduction to signed numbers

MATH 015 Basic Math

No prior knowledge needed; this is an entry level math course.

Math - Nursing Path

Nursing Path

Please review the following table to determine if you have proficiency in Elementary Algebra. If you are not proficient in Elementary Algebra, you will be required to take MATH 020 (Elementary Algebra).

If you have received an SAT score of at least 500 (or 530 if the SAT was prior to March 1, 2016) then you have proficiency in Elementary Algebra.

If you are still undecided or it has been more than 5 years since you graduated from high school, please contact an Academic Advisor at acs@raritanval.edu or 908-526-1200 ext. 8522 or email the Chair of the Math & Computer Science Department Lori.Austin@raritanval.edu.

Highest Math Course in High School

HS Course Grade

Placement

 

Calculus

A, B, C

Proficient – no math class needed

D, F

Placement should be based on HS Precalculus grades (see below)

 

Precalculus/Trigonometry

(Algebra III)

A, B, C

Proficient – no math class needed

D, F

Placement should be based on HS Algebra II grades (see below)

 

Algebra II

A, B, C

Proficient – no math class needed

D, F

Placement should be based on HS Algebra I course. (see below)

 

Algebra I

A, B

Proficient – no math class needed

C, D

MATH 020 Elementary Algebra (Developmental)

F

MATH 015 Basic Math (Developmental)

RVCC Math Course

Prior Content Knowledge Required

No course needed if you are comfortable with the content in the next column.

exponents, polynomials, factoring, solving first degree equations and inequalities, rational and radical expressions, quadratic equations, techniques of graphing, systems of equations and applications

MATH 020 Elementary Algebra

Prerequisite: MATH 015

exponent and square root notation, ratios, proportions, percent , systems of measurement, geometry formulas and introduction to signed numbers

MATH 015 Basic Math

No prior knowledge needed; this is an entry level math course.

Math - Statistics Path

Statistics Path

The following placement guide will help you choose the appropriate Math course based on the highest level of Math that you completed in high school. It is important that you review the required prior knowledge before selecting a course, especially if it has been more than five years since you graduated from high school.  The prerequisite content will not be taught in the course, so if you are not comfortable with the content you should enroll in the next lower level math course. 

If you are still undecided, please contact an Academic Advisor at acs@raritanval.edu or 908-526-1200 ext. 8522 or email the Chair of the Math & Computer Science Department Lori.Austin@raritanval.edu.

Highest Math Course in High School

HS Course Grade

Placement

 

Calculus

A, B, C

MATH 111 Statistics I

D, F

Placement should be based on HS Precalculus grades (see below)

 

Precalculus/Trigonometry

(Algebra III)

A, B, C

MATH 110 Statistics I

D, F

Placement should be based on HS Algebra II grades (see below)

 

Algebra II

A, B, C

MATH 110 Statistics I

D

MATH 030 Intermediate Algebra (Developmental)

F

Placement should be based on HS Algebra I course (see below)

 

Algebra I

A, B

MATH 030 Intermediate Algebra (Developmental)

C, D

MATH 020 Elementary Algebra (Developmental)

F

MATH 015 Basic Math (Developmental)

RVCC Math Course

Prior Knowledge Required to Take RVCC Math Course

MATH 110 Statistics I

Prerequisite: MATH 030

numerical and graphical solutions of linear and quadratic equations and inequalities, rational and radical expressions and equations, integer and rational exponents, absolute value equations, introduction to functions and their graphs

MATH 030 Intermediate Algebra

Prerequisite: MATH 020

exponents, polynomials, factoring, solving first degree equations and inequalities, rational and radical expressions, quadratic equations, techniques of graphing, systems of equations and applications

MATH 020 Elementary Algebra

Prerequisite: MATH 015

exponent and square root notation, ratios, proportions, percent, systems of measurement, geometry formulas and introduction to signed numbers

MATH 015 Basic Math

No prior knowledge needed; this is an entry level math course.

ESL-English as a Second Language

In order to determine your ESL placement, complete the ESL Canvas Test below. After the test is completed you will meet with Prof. Vaccaro, ESL Advisor, andrea.vaccaro@raritanval.edu.

ESL Canvas Test Link:  https://raritanval.instructure.com/enroll/T7CRNE

Login with your RVCC Student ID/G#:  Example:  Gnumber@stu.raritanval.edu and RVCC password: Rv number (case sensitive). If you have forgotten your password, please contact the HelpDesk at helpdesk@raritanval.edu or 908.526.1200 x7887

ON CAMPUS ESL ADVISING HOURS

Prof. Vaccaro is available in-person in S-223-A for new, click here for details

Foreign Language

Placement in Foreign Language Class

No language study in last five years OR only one year of a language in high school:  Introduction I of the language -- Native and heritage speakers or students with successful completion of two or more years of a language (within the last 5 years) cannot receive credit for introductory level of the language.

Students with two or more years of a language in high school (within the last five years) must complete a placement test in order to continue study of the same language.   Native and heritage speakers of a language cannot receive credit for the introductory.

To determine your placement in Spanish or French please take the test below.

SPANISH

Spanish Canvas Test link:  https://raritanval.instructure.com/enroll/YGWLE4

Login with your RVCC Student ID/G#:  Example:  Gnumber@stu.raritanval.edu and RVCC password: Rv number (case sensitive). If you have forgotten your password, please contact the HelpDesk at helpdesk@raritanval.edu or 908.526.1200 x7887

FRENCH

French Canvas Test Link:  https://raritanval.instructure.com/enroll/REBNMJ

Login with your RVCC Student ID/G#:  Example:  Gnumber@stu.raritanval.edu and RVCC password: Rv number (case sensitive). If you have forgotten your password, please contact the HelpDesk at helpdesk@raritanval.edu or 908.526.1200 x7887