Placement Exam FAQs

Please read through this entire section prior to making an appointment.

Placement exams determine your skill in English and mathematics. They are not pass-fail exams. You want to be prepared and review any useful material beforehand. Your performance on the placement exam will determine what course(s) you are eligible to take in your academic major.  

Who should take placement exams?

First-year students must take tests in English, reading, and math.

Transfer students without transfer credit granted by NYIT for English and mathematics also need to take a placement exam.

International Students see placement exam requirements. 

When are placement exams offered?

Placement Exams are offered all summer, however spaces fill quickly and not all dates are offered on each campus. You must make an appointment before attending.

Placement Exam Dates:

May 21, 22, 23, 24, 30, 31 (Transfer, ELI and Graduate Students Only)

June 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21

July 17, 24, 25, 31

August 14, 21, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

September 4

If you have difficulty scheduling an exam, please contact 516.686.7444 or placement@nyit.edu.

How do I study?

Sample questions for each exam are available at the links below:

Writing Skills: required for all freshman; required for transfer students who do not have incoming transfer credits for FCWR-101. 

Reading: required for any student who scores below 70 on the Writing Skills exam.

English as a Second Language (ESL): required for students who did not graduate from an American high school and whose country of residence does not speak English as the primary language. This exam would take the place of the Writing Skills exam.

Math*: required for all freshman; required for transfer students who do not have incoming transfer credits for the first required math course for their degree.

*If you are pursuing a math-based major such as architecture, engineering, or sciences, it's particularly important to review the sample math test questions. In most cases, your math placement determines your ability to register for major-related courses in your first semester.

Can I be exempt from placement tests?

Yes, but only if...

• You were admitted as a transfer student with transfer credit in English or math. Call 800.345.NYIT or email admissions@nyit.edu to see if you qualify.
• You have been admitted into the combined Bachelor of Science in Life Science/Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (B.S./D.O.) program.
• You have been admitted to the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). The HEOP department will schedule a day and time for you to take the exam.

Special needs

If you have any documented special testing needs, contact the disability services coordinator at 516.686.7636.

What should I bring to the test?

• Photo ID (driver's license, passport, or student ID card). 
• All placement exams are computer-based.  A calculator is built into the mathematics exam. However, if you would like to bring your own calculator, please check the guidelines.  
• If you have taken college-level classes, AP exams, or IB exams, please bring a copy of your grades/scores.
• Transfer students should bring their Preliminary Transfer Evaluation.
• Scrap paper is provided, but you should bring a pen and pencil to work out math problems.
• Plan to arrive 10 minutes prior to your test time: Directions to NYIT Campuses and Campus Maps.

How long is the test?

The NYIT placement test is computer-based and untimed.

Your responses will determine how many questions you will receive and the areas in which you will be tested.

Even though the test is untimed, please allow at least two hours. The exam will finish once it has determined the appropriate placement. You must complete the test to receive a score.