Matriculation requires successful completion of a placement exam to assess your academic readiness for the program curriculum. If you don’t meet the necessary threshold on the initial test we will provide resources you can use to prepare yourself to take the test a second time. You may then take a test of the same material by early July (see timeline below).
If you still do not meet the necessary threshold after the 2nd test administration you will be required to enroll in either a pre-semester bootcamp or additional coursework in your first year that will count towards unrestricted electives in the program (exact courses will depend on competencies demonstrated in your exam performance).
Timeline:
- April 15: Information about placement exam is released to admitted students (sample problems, description of material covered).
- May 1 – June 3: Placement exam is available. Students will have a specified number of hours to complete the exam but can start the test whenever they want as long as they finish before midnight EST on June 2, 2024.
- June 5: Placement exam results disseminated. Welcome pack resources provided.
- June 28 – July 7: Second placement test offered remotely
- July 9: Second placement test results disseminated
If you don't receive a passing grade on the 2nd round there are still options!
- Bootcamp (end of August)
- More introductory courses in your first year
Students who do not meet the necessary threshold on the second placement exam may either engage in a 2-week bootcamp that they must exit with a passing grade or enroll in a remedial course or courses at Steinhardt that will count towards unrestricted electives in the program. The student must achieve a passing grade in the bootcamp to continue in the program without remediation.
Ways to Meet Placement Exam Requirements
- Score 85% or higher on the first placement exam.
If you do not score at appropriate levels on the first placement exam, you may take the placement exam a second time, you may enroll in a 2-week bootcamp, or you may take remedial courses in your first semester.
- Score at appropriate levels on the second placement exam.
If you do not score at appropriate levels on the second placement exam, you may enroll in a 2-week bootcamp or you may enroll in remedial courses in your first semester.
- Score at appropriate levels in the 2-week bootcamp.
If you do not pass the bootcamp, you may still enroll in remedial courses in your first semester.
- Successfully pass remedial courses - if you do not pass your remedial courses, you may not proceed into other program courses.
Taking and Passing Remedial Classes If Necessary
Students who do not successfully pass the placement test or successfully complete the week-long bootcamp will be required to enroll in remedial courses. These courses will be determined through an individual examination of the student's performance on the placement test by the program directors and the program's academic advisor in order to best suit the needs of the student. Successfully passing the remedial courses entails achieving a grade of a B or above within 12 calendar months of initial matriculation.
Students who are required to complete remedial coursework have one opportunity to repeat a remedial course if they do not successfully pass their first attempt. Students who do not pass the recommended remedial course(s) in their first attempt, will be placed on academic probation.
If students are not able to successfully pass the recommended remedial courses after two attempts, they will be recommended for dismissal from the program.
Students who withdraw from remedial courses for non-medical reasons, will have that attempt, with a W, counted toward their attempted total.
Questions about the placement exam may be directed to steinhardt.a3sr@nyu.edu