Placement Testing
In an effort to ensure you are registered in the appropriate courses, placement/skills assessments are offered – and some required – by certain departments such as math, chemistry, writing, and world languages. Whether or not you need to complete assessments depends on the requirements of your degree program.
In addition to completing placement assessments, you will also participate in academic advising before you register for your first semester of classes. Your college or program’s advising team will take into account your placement scores and your intended academic path when making recommendations for courses. This is why it’s important to complete placement activities in a timely manner, and many courses will not allow you to enroll until a placement test has been taken.
AP, IB, and Transfer Credit
We recognize that some students may also have test scores from AP/IB exams or are bringing in additional transfer credits. If you don’t have a test score by the placement test deadline dates listed below, go ahead and take the placement test to ensure timely course registration. You can always make changes to your schedule later if needed when you receive your other test scores.
- NC State’s Advanced Placement policy for AP exams can be found on the Undergraduate Admissions AP Webpage.
- NC State’s International Baccalaureate policy can be found on the Undergraduate Admissions IB Webpage.
- Transfer credit information can be found on NC State’s Transfer Course Equivalency Database
Select your college or program to learn which assessments you need to complete:
Agricultural Institute (2-year program)
Agricultural Institute students are not required to take any University placement tests but will instead take an AGI Math Placement test during the summer. Details and instructions will be emailed to students in the summer. The University math placement test will not take the place of the AGI math test.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
*Students enrolled in the Life Sciences First Year Program should locate instructions below under the heading Life Sciences First Year Program
You should complete the…
- Chemistry Placement Exam
- Math Placement Test
- Writing Placement (Review the Chart)
You may choose to complete the…
- World Language Placement Test
Chemistry Placement
- Format: Online Exam (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Chemistry Placement website to determine if you should take the placement exam.
- If you anticipate needing testing accommodations, review the specific procedures on the Chemistry Placement website.
Math Placement
- Format: Online Test (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Math Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
Writing Placement
- Format: This is not a test. You just need to review online placement information to determine if you are exempt from the first-year writing requirement (ENG 101) based on your standardized test scores. If you are not exempt from the first-year writing requirement, then you should review the “Typical Placement Scenarios” to help you determine if you should begin your instruction in ENG 100, 101, or 202.
- Deadline: Review before course registration
- Writing Placement Chart Website
World Language Placement (*not required)
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences does not require this test, but you should take it if you wish to register for a course in a language you’ve studied before.
- Format: Online Test available May 10 (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- If you wish to begin a language you have never studied before, you do not need to take the placement test.
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the World Language Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
College of Design
You should complete the…
- Math Placement Test
- Writing Placement (Review the Chart)
You may choose to complete the…
- Chemistry Placement Test
- World Language Placement Test
Math Placement
- Format: Online Test (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Math Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
Writing Placement
- Format: This is not a test. You just need to review online placement information to determine if you are exempt from the first-year writing requirement (ENG 101) based on your standardized test scores. If you are not exempt from the first-year writing requirement, then you should review the “Typical Placement Scenarios” to help you determine if you should begin your instruction in ENG 100, 101, or 202.
- Deadline: Review before course registration
- Writing Placement Chart Website
Chemistry Placement (*not required)
The College of Design does not require this test, but you should take it if you wish to register for a chemistry course
- Format: Online Exam (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Chemistry Placement website to determine if you should take the placement exam.
- If you anticipate needing testing accommodations, review the specific procedures on the Chemistry Placement website.
World Language Placement (*not required)
The College of Design does not require this test, but you should take it if you wish to register for a world language course.
- Format: Online Test available May 10 (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- If you wish to begin a language you have never studied before, you do not need to take the placement test.
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the World Language Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
College of Education
You should complete the…
- Chemistry Placement Exam (*required for specific majors)
- Math Placement Test
- Writing Placement (Review the Chart)
You may need to complete the…
- World Language Placement Test
Chemistry Placement (*required for specific majors)
- Format: Online Exam (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Chemistry Placement website to determine if you should take the placement exam.
- If you anticipate needing testing accommodations, review the specific procedures on the Chemistry Placement website.
- Find your major (or intended major) in the table below to determine if you need to take the Chemistry Placement Exam. If you are unsure of your major you can find this information via your WolfPAW account (https://wolfpaw.ncsu.edu).
| Test Required | Major | Acad Plan | Acad Sub Plan |
| No | Education, Elementary | 13ELMEDBS | 13ELMEDSTM |
| Yes | Education, High School Math | 13MTHEDBS | 13MTHEDMS |
| Yes | Education, High School Science | 13SCIEDBS | 13SCIEDBIO |
| No | Education, Middle Grades Language Arts/Social Studies | 13MIDEDBS | 13MIDEDLAS |
| Yes | Education, Middle Grades Math (with Science Option) | 13MTHEDBS | 13MTHEDMSM |
| Yes | Education, Middle Grades Science | 13SCIEDBS | 13SCIEDMID |
| Yes | Education, Undeclared | 13EDUD | |
| Yes | Education; Technology, Engineering, and Design | 13TDEBS |
Math Placement
- Format: Online Test (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Math Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
Writing Placement
- Format: This is not a test. You just need to review online placement information to determine if you are exempt from the first-year writing requirement (ENG 101) based on your standardized test scores. If you are not exempt from the first-year writing requirement, then you should review the “Typical Placement Scenarios” to help you determine if you should begin your instruction in ENG 100, 101, or 202.
- Deadline: Review before course registration
- Writing Placement Chart Website
World Language Placement (*not required)
The College of Education does not require this test, but you should take it if you wish to register for a course in a language you’ve studied before.
- Format: Online Test available May 10 (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- If you wish to begin a language you have never studied before, you do not need to take the placement test.
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the World Language Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
College of Engineering
You should complete the…
- Chemistry Placement Test
- Math Placement Test
- Writing Placement (Review the Chart)
You may choose to complete the…
- World Language Placement Test
Chemistry Placement
- Format: Online Exam (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Chemistry Placement website to determine if you should take the placement exam.
- If you anticipate needing testing accommodations, review the specific procedures on the Chemistry Placement website.
Math Placement
- Format: Online Test (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- If you KNOW you have earned credit for Calculus I (MA 141) via AP / IB scores or transfer credit, you do not need to take the Math Placement Assessment. If you are waiting to see if you will receive credit for MA 141 via one of the above methods, but you have not yet received your official score or transfer credit grade, you should plan to take the Math Placement Assessment. When in doubt – take the assessment. The Math Department & the College of Engineering will honor your highest level of placement.
- The highest score on the Math Placement Assessment places students into Calculus 1 at NC State. If you have earned credit for Calculus 1 (MA 141) or beyond (MA 241, MA 242, etc.), you do not need to take the Math Placement Assessment.
- For additional information, please read the Math Placement website.
Writing Placement
- Format: This is not a test. Review online placement information to determine if you are exempt from the first-year writing requirement (ENG 101) based on standardized test scores. If you are not exempt from the first-year writing requirement, then you will need to enroll in either ENG 101 (typical for most students), FLE 101 (for non-native English speakers), or ENG 202 (for students with 3-credit hours of 100-level English transfer credit).
- Deadline: Review before course registration
- Writing Placement Website
World Language Placement (*not required)
The College of Engineering does not require this test, but you should take it if you wish to register for a course in a language you’ve studied before (like for a minor or second major).
- Format: Online Test available May 10 (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- If you wish to begin a language you have never studied before, you do not need to take the placement test.
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the World Language Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
You should complete the…
- World Language Placement Test
- Math Placement Test (*required only for BS degree programs)
- Writing Placement (Review the Chart)
You may choose to complete the…
- Chemistry Placement Test
World Language Placement
- Format: Online Test available May 10 (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- If you wish to begin a language you have never studied before, you do not need to take the placement test.
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the World Language Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
Math Placement (*required only for BS degree programs)
- Format: Online Test (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- The math test is not required unless you are in a BS degree program or anticipate wanting or needing to take Calculus (Math, Science, Engineering, or Management double majors)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Math Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
Writing Placement
- Format: This is not a test. You just need to review online placement information to determine if you are exempt from the first-year writing requirement (ENG 101) based on your standardized test scores. If you are not exempt from the first-year writing requirement, then you should review the “Typical Placement Scenarios” to help you determine if you should begin your instruction in ENG 100, 101, or 202.
- Deadline: Review before course registration
- Writing Placement Chart Website
Chemistry Placement (*not required)
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences does not require this test, but you should take it if you wish to register for a chemistry course
- Format: Online Exam (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Chemistry Placement website to determine if you should take the placement exam.
- If you anticipate needing testing accommodations, review the specific procedures on the Chemistry Placement website.
College of Natural Resources
You should complete the…
- Chemistry Placement Exam (*required for specific majors)
- Math Placement Test ( *required for all majors)
- Writing Placement (Review the Chart)
You may need to complete the…
- World Language Placement Test
Chemistry Placement (*required for specific majors)
- Format: Online Exam (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Chemistry Placement website to determine if you should take the placement exam.
- If you anticipate needing testing accommodations, review the specific procedures on the Chemistry Placement website.
| Test Required | Major |
| Yes | Environmental First Year Undeclared |
| Yes | Environmental Sciences |
| Yes | Environmental Technology & Management |
| Yes | Fisheries & Wildlife Science, Fisheries Concentration Fisheries & Wildlife Science, Wildlife Concentration Fisheries & Wildlife Science, Conservation Biology |
| Yes | Forest Management: Ecology Forest Management: Production Concentration |
| Yes | Natural Resources, Ecosystem Assessment Concentration Natural Resources, Policy & Administration Concentration |
| Yes | Natural Resources, Undeclared |
| Yes | Paper Science and Engineering |
| Not Required | Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management: Recreation and Park Management Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management: Tourism and Event Management |
| Not Required | Sport Management |
| Yes | Sustainable Materials & Technology |
Math Placement
- Format: Online Test (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Math Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
Writing Placement
- Format: This is not a test. You just need to review online placement information to determine if you are exempt from the first-year writing requirement (ENG 101) based on your standardized test scores. If you are not exempt from the first-year writing requirement, then you should review the “Typical Placement Scenarios” to help you determine if you should begin your instruction in ENG 100, 101, or 202.
- Deadline: Review before course registration
- Writing Placement Chart Website
World Language Placement (*not required)
The College of Natural Resources does not require this test, but you should take it if you wish to register for a course in a language you’ve studied before.
- Format: Online Test available May 10 (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- If you wish to begin a language you have never studied before, you do not need to take the placement test.
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the World Language Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
College of Sciences
*Students enrolled in the Life Sciences First Year Program should locate instructions below under the heading Life Sciences First Year Program
You should complete the…
- Chemistry Placement Exam (*required for specific majors)
- Math Placement Test
- Writing Placement (Review the Chart)
You may choose to complete the…
- World Language Placement Test
Chemistry Placement (*required for all majors except Statistics)
- Format: Online Exam (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Note for Statistics majors: You are not required to take the Chemistry Placement Exam unless you choose to take a chemistry course.
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Chemistry Placement website to determine if you should take the placement exam.
- If you anticipate needing testing accommodations, review the specific procedures on the Chemistry Placement website.
Math Placement
- Format: Online Test (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Math Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
Writing Placement
- Format: This is not a test. You just need to review online placement information to determine if you are exempt from the first-year writing requirement (ENG 101) based on your standardized test scores. If you are not exempt from the first-year writing requirement, then you should review the “Typical Placement Scenarios” to help you determine if you should begin your instruction in ENG 100, 101, or 202.
- Deadline: Review before course registration
- Writing Placement Chart Website
World Language Placement (*not required)
The College of Sciences does not require this test, but you should take it if you wish to register for a course in a language you’ve studied before
- Format: Online Test available May 10 (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- If you wish to begin a language you have never studied before, you do not need to take the placement test.
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the World Language Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
University College
You should complete the…
- Chemistry Placement Exam (*not required for Music Technology majors)
- World Language Placement Test
- Math Placement Test
- Writing Placement (Review the Chart)
Chemistry Placement (*not required for Music Technology majors)
- Format: Online Exam (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Chemistry Placement website to determine if you should take the placement exam.
- If you anticipate needing testing accommodations, review the specific procedures on the Chemistry Placement website.
World Language Placement
- Format: Online Test available May 10 (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- If you wish to begin a language you have never studied before, you do not need to take the placement test.
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the World Language Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
Math Placement
- Format: Online Test (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Math Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
Writing Placement
- Format: This is not a test. You just need to review online placement information to determine if you are exempt from the first-year writing requirement (ENG 101) based on your standardized test scores. If you are not exempt from the first-year writing requirement, then you should review the “Typical Placement Scenarios” to help you determine if you should begin your instruction in ENG 100, 101, or 202.
- Deadline: Review before course registration
- Writing Placement Chart Website
Life Sciences First Year Program
You must complete the…
- Chemistry Placement Exam
- Math Placement Test
- Writing Placement (Review the Chart)
You may choose to complete the…
- World Language Placement Test
Chemistry Placement
- Format: Online Exam (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Chemistry Placement website to determine if you should take the placement exam.
- If you anticipate needing testing accommodations, review the specific procedures on the Chemistry Placement website.
Math Placement
- Format: Online Test (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Math Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
Writing Placement
- Format: This is not a test. You just need to review online placement information to determine if you are exempt from the first-year writing requirement (ENG 101) based on your standardized test scores. If you are not exempt from the first-year writing requirement, then you should review the “Typical Placement Scenarios” to help you determine if you should begin your instruction in ENG 100, 101, or 202.
- Deadline: Review before course registration
- Writing Placement Chart Website
World Language Placement (*not required)
The Life Sciences First Year Program does not require this test, but you should take it if you wish to register for a course in a language you’ve studied before.
- Format: Online Test available May 10 (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- If you wish to begin a language you have never studied before, you do not need to take the placement test.
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the World Language Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
Poole College of Management
You should complete the…
- Math Placement Test
- Writing Placement (Review the Chart)
You may choose to complete the…
- Chemistry Placement Test
- World Language Placement Test
Math Placement
All incoming Poole College of Management students will need to take the Math Placement Test.
- Format: Online Test (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Math Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
Writing Placement
Most Poole College of Management students will take ENG 101 in their first or second semester. Students who are transferring in with credit for English should contact poole_advising@ncsu.edu to confirm their remaining English requirements.
- Format: This is not a test. You just need to review online placement information to determine if you are exempt from the first-year writing requirement (ENG 101) based on your standardized test scores. If you are not exempt from the first-year writing requirement, then you should review the “Typical Placement Scenarios” to help you determine if you should begin your instruction in ENG 100, 101, or 202.
- Deadline: Review before course registration
- Writing Placement Chart Website
Chemistry Placement
Most Poole students do not need to take the Chemistry Placement Exam. However, if you wish to take a chemistry course (not required), you should take the exam.
- Format: Online Exam (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Chemistry Placement website to determine if you should take the placement exam.
- If you anticipate needing testing accommodations, review the specific procedures on the Chemistry Placement website.
World Language Placement (*not required)
- Format: Online Test available May 10 (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- If you wish to begin a language you have never studied before, you do not need to take the placement test.
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the World Language Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
Wilson College of Textiles
You should complete the…
- Chemistry Placement Exam
- Math Placement Test
- Writing Placement (Review the Chart)
You may choose to complete the…
- World Language Placement Test
Chemistry Placement
- Format: Online Exam (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Chemistry Placement website to determine if you should take the placement exam.
- If you anticipate needing testing accommodations, review the specific procedures on the Chemistry Placement website.
Math Placement
- Format: Online Test (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the Math Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
Writing Placement
- Format: This is not a test. You just need to review online placement information to determine if you are exempt from the first-year writing requirement (ENG 101) based on your standardized test scores. If you are not exempt from the first-year writing requirement, then you should review the “Typical Placement Scenarios” to help you determine if you should begin your instruction in ENG 100, 101, or 202.
- Deadline: Review before course registration
- Writing Placement Chart Website
World Language Placement (*not required)
The Wilson College of Textiles does not require this test, but you should take it if you wish to register for a course in a language you’ve studied before.
- Format: Online Test available May 10 (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall Students: May 17, 2024
- Deadline for Spring Students: October 4, 2024 (or as soon as you are able to do so)
- If you wish to begin a language you have never studied before, you do not need to take the placement test.
- Coming in with AP/IB scores or transfer credit? Read the World Language Placement website to determine if you should take the placement test.
Accommodations
Students that have a disability and need testing accommodations for placement tests should first register with the Disability Resource Office. Once registered, you should email the placement exam contact person and copy the DRO service provider so a verification email can be sent. Additional instructions may be provided on the webpages for each assessment.