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)
The Agricultural Institute (AGI) requires students to take the AGI Math Placement Test before advising and course registration. Details and instructions will be emailed to you before advising begins.
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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 |
| Yes | Environmental Sciences | 15ENVSCBS | |
| Yes | Environmental Technology & Management | 15ENVTBS | |
| Yes | Fisheries & Wildlife Science, Fisheries Concentration | 15FWSCIBS | 15FWSCIF |
| Yes | Fisheries & Wildlife Science, Wildlife Concentration | 15FWSCIBS | 15FWSCIW |
| Yes | Forest Management | 15FORMTBS | |
| * See #1 below | Natural Resources in Parks | 15PRTBS | 15PRTNRR |
| Yes | Natural Resources, Ecosystem Assessment Concentration | 15NATREBS | 15NATREECO |
| Yes | Natural Resources, Policy & Administration Concentration | 15NATREBS | 15NATREPOL |
| * See #2 below | Natural Resources, Undeclared | 15NTRUD | |
| Yes | Paper Science and Engineering | 14EFY | 14PSEI |
| * See #1 below | Parks Management | 15PRTBS | 15PRTNRR |
| * See #1 below | Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management | 15PRTBS | 15PRTNRR |
| No | Professional Golf Management | 15PGMBS | |
| * See #1 below | Program Management | 15PRTBS | 15PRTPM |
| * See #1 below | Sport Management | 15SPMGTBS | |
| Yes | Sustainable Materials & Technology | 15SMTBS | |
| * See #1 below | Sustainable Tourism | 15PRTST |
- This plan requires 7 hrs of Natural Sciences and CH 101 is on option on the list.
- If you are currently in an undeclared major, look at the major(s) that you are considering to determine if the CPE is required.
Math Placement
- Format: Online Test (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2022 Students: May 20, 2022
- Deadline for Spring 2023 Students: October 7, 2022
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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.
Exploratory Studies (University College)
You should complete the…
- Chemistry Placement Exam
- World Language Placement Test
- Math Placement Test
- Writing Placement (Review the Chart)
Chemistry Placement
- Format: Online Exam (take on your own)
- Deadline for Fall 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 2023 Students: May 19, 2023
- Deadline for Spring 2024 Students: October 6, 2023
- 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 linked below.