Placement Tests

Seton Hall Prep Class of 2029
Placement Examination Information

In order to finalize course placements for the fall, each member of the incoming Class of 2029 will have the opportunity to advance his standing in three different subject areas: Mathematics, Physical Science, and World Language (Italian, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish). All students are strongly encouraged to sit for all three placement tests.

It is important to know that placement test results will not result in a lowering of academic level – only confirmation of initial placement or advancement in academic level. Please note that placement tests will not be administered for English, History, or Theology and that those initial placements indicated in your acceptance packet will remain as reported.

Each of the three tests (Mathematics, Physical Science, and World Language) will be offered on each testing day.  The mathematics placement examination will be 60 minutes in length while both the physical science and all world language examinations will last 45 minutes each.  A short break of approximately 15 minutes will be allowed between tests.

Mathematics
Because members of the incoming Class of 2029 will be coming to The Prep from 112 different schools (and as many varied curricula), all students have been initially placed into Algebra 1 – either College Prep or Honors level depending upon your son’s results on the entrance examination. However, it is important to remember that this was just an initial placement.  If you (and your son) are comfortable with his initial placement in either Algebra 1 College Prep or Algebra 1 Honors, there is no need to sit for the placement examination. However, should your son wish to advance his standing in Algebra 1 or should your son currently be enrolled in an Algebra 1, Geometry, or an Algebra 2 course, he must take this examination.

There will be two different mathematics examinations offered this year: Pre-Algebra/Math 8 and Algebra 1.

If your son is currently enrolled in either Pre-Algebra or a “Math 8” course, his placement for next fall will be into Algebra 1.  If you and your son are happy with his initial placement, there is no need to sit for a mathematics placement test.  If your son has initially placed into Algebra 1 College Prep and would like the opportunity to advance his standing into Algebra 1 Honors, he must take the “Pre-Algebra/Math 8” placement examination.

If your son is currently enrolled in a full-year Algebra 1 course (as indicated by his official school transcript) and would like to advance his standing from Algebra 1 College Prep to Algebra 1 Honors or would like the opportunity to advance his standing into Geometry, he must take the “Algebra 1” placement examination.

If your son is currently enrolled in a full-year Geometry or Algebra 2 course (as indicated by his official school transcript) and would like to advance his standing, he will first need to demonstrate mastery of Algebra 1 by successfully completing the “Algebra 1” placement examination.  (Further information regarding Geometry and/or Algebra 2 placement examinations will be sent to you directly by the Mathematics Department Chair upon successful completion of the Algebra 1 placement examination.)

Should you have specific questions about your son’s placement or course options, please email the Mathematics Department Chair Mr. David Kahney at dkahney@shp.org.

World Language

Any incoming student who intends to continue his studies in the same foreign language he is currently studying in middle school is strongly encouraged to sit for the appropriate placement test. Any student who will begin the study of a foreign language for the first-time next year or who is switching to a new foreign language should not sit for the placement examination. Students continuing their study in foreign language who do not take the placement test may be placed into level 1 College Prep. Should you have specific questions about foreign language courses, please email the Foreign Language Department Chair Mrs. Gisella Schanil at gschanil@shp.org.

Physical Science
For the same reasons listed above regarding mathematics placement, all incoming students have been placed, by default, into Physical Science – either College Prep or Honors level depending upon your son’s results on the entrance examination. If you (and your son) are comfortable with his placement in either Physical Science College Prep or Physical Science Honors, there is no need to sit for the placement examination. However, should your son wish to advance his standing in Physical Science and/or wish to try to test-into Physics Honors, he will need to sit for the Physical Science placement test. Should you have specific questions about your son’s placement, please email the Science Department Chair Mr. John Henrikson at jhenrikson@shp.org.

SELECTING YOUR TEST(S)

Please select the date and time for your son’s placement tests from those listed below. Should you need to change a date or time in the future, please contact Mrs. Patty Nascone in the Admission Office at pnascone@shp.org.

Thursday, May 1, 2025
3:30 pm Algebra 1 or Pre-Algebra/Math 8
4:45 pm Physical Science
5:45 pm World Language

Saturday, May 3, 2025
8:30 am Algebra 1 or Pre-Algebra/Math 8
9:45 am Physical Science
10:45 am World Language

Please note that you will NOT receive an automatic confirmation of your Placement Test Registration Form. Please do not submit this form more than once. The Admission Office will send individualized confirmations approximately one week prior to testing.

Placement Exam Content/Information

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