The Testing Office offers a variety of services to faculty, students and staff, and is primarily responsible for the administration of next-generation ACCUPLACER. Test results and data are used to provide appropriate information for academic placement, for developing sound academic advisement policies, and for meeting the educational needs of individual students. The office also offers credit-by-examination programs and administers an English as a Second Language Placement Examination.
Testing Fees
All testing fees must be paid before tests are administered. Fees can be paid at all three campus locations.
Testing Services
- Next-Generation ACCUPLACER
- ESL Placement Test
- ATI TEAS nursing entrance examination
- Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS)
- Credit by Examination program
- Make-up testing
Next-Generation ACCUPLACER
Students are required to take the next-generation ACCUPLACER test prior to registering for a mathematics, English or other course requiring a demonstrated level of ability. A student will be exempt from taking next-generation ACCUPLACER if the student identifies as a Professional Series seeking student. A student who identifies as non-credential seeking will be allowed to take up to 4 credits before being required to take the next-generation ACCUPLACER test. If the student wants to take a class that has a prerequisite, the student must receive the area Dean’s approval prior to registration.
The next-generation ACCUPLACER consists of an essay, a test of reading, a test of quantitative reasoning, algebra, and statistics, and a test of arithmetic. An advanced algebra and functions test may also be given. Students whose test scores indicate a need for improved basic skills in English or mathematics will be placed in the appropriate developmental course. Generally, they follow a sequence of developmental courses leading up to college-level work in that area.
Students who place into ENGL080 Reading/Writing II also have the option of participating in the Accelerated Learning Program, which allows students to take ENGL101 Composition I when paired with the support course ENGL099. See course descriptions for additional information. Seats in this program are limited.
Placement into ENGL070-Reading/Writing I significantly limits the number of additional courses for which a student may register. See the list of courses in the Basic Skills chart at the end of this section. Students must be admitted to the College before they can take the test.
Exemptions to the next-generation ACCUPLACER include:
- Students who have taken the SAT within the last four years and received a minimum score of 450 in Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and a score of 530 in Mathematics.
- Students who have taken the ACT test within the last four years and received a mathematics score of 22 and English score of 18 with a Reading score of 22.
- Students who already have a degree (A.A., B.S., etc.) may be exempt from testing.
- Students who have taken the required sections of the test (next-generation ACCUPLACER) at another New Jersey college within the last four years, and submit an official copy of the test results to Atlantic Cape.
- Transfer students who have completed a college-level mathematics course within the last 10 years and/or an English course at another college.
Next-generation ACCUPLACER tests, which are at least two hours long, are administered at all three College campuses. Students may retest only once after a 30-day time period has lapsed. There is a retesting fee. Test scores are valid for four years. For information call (609)343-5099, 343-4831 or 463-3775.
ESL Placement Test
Students whose native language is not English will be required to take the ESL Placement Test. Exemptions for the ESL Test include a TOEFL result of IBT75, IELTS overall band score of 6.0, Duolingo English Test overal score of 110 or minimum required SAT score (call the Testing Office for details). If exempt, students must take the next-generation ACCUPLACER English Placement Test.
Test scores are valid for one year. Students who are absent from the college for a period of more than 12 months must retake the ESL Placement Test to reevaluate students’ skills. For exceptional circumstances, students may inquire about retesting through the Testing Office.
Nursing and Radiologic Technology Entrance Test
Nursing and Radiologic Technology program applicants must take the ATI TEAS exam. The test is a general, comprehensive assessment tool which evaluates several areas including reading comprehension, mathematics, science and English/language usage.
Applicants must receive a minimum total scaled score of 58.7 for their application to be considered. Note: Beginning June 3, 2025, a passing score of 63.0 or higher on the TEAS Exam will be required for admission to the Registered Nursing (RN) and Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) to RN programs (note added, 10/9/24).The admission process for the Nursing Program is very competitive. Applicants are ranked according to a composite score of the prerequisite GPA and their ATI TEAS scaled score.
The ATI TEAS is administered to Atlantic Cape students only. Students must have successfully completed two prerequisites required for the Nursing Program before registering for the ATI TEAS. Candidates may retest once per academic year at Atlantic Cape, after a 30-day time period has lapsed. This test must be taken within three years of applying to the Nursing Program. Additional information for the ATI TEAS exam can be located on the Testing Website at www.atlanticcape.edu/admission/testing.
Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System
Students taking a Workforce Development program that requires a CASAS test must complete the assessment and obtain the required score prior to registration. See the Continuing Education & Workforce Development Guide for program information. Students may retest once after 30 days. CASAS results are valid for one year.
Institutional Credit-by-Examination
Credit-by-examination courses are offered in Keyboarding and Document Production I, Word Processing I, Records and Information Management, PC Operating Systems and Introduction to Computers.
Credit-by-examination policies
- No duplication of credit is permitted.
- Credit-by-examination in any subject may be taken only once.
- Credit-by-examination is not permitted for courses in which a failing grade has previously been assigned.
- There is a 32-credit limit and students must pay tuition for credits earned, which is not covered by financial aid.