Success at Temple University does not follow one particular pathway, as our students are varied and diverse in their backgrounds. For incoming students, it is important that they start on the right track, beginning with determining the appropriate courses for their first semester. Some students may be placed into courses using their student data, including but not limited to high school GPA, SAT, ACT or AP scores while others will need to take placement assessments. Placement Assessments are offered in English, math, and foreign languages.

In addition, the New Student Questionnaire (NSQ) must be completed by all incoming students, even if they do not have to take any other placement assessments. The data collected by the survey are used to provide basic background information describing Temple students. Temple also uses the results of this questionnaire to develop programs and procedures to serve the needs and interests of its students.

Temple's Placement Assessments serve to evaluate different levels of academic preparation. While you should take these assessments seriously, the goal is not simply to achieve high scores, but to demonstrate readiness for particular coursework. This is why it is important that you take an assessment independently, and are placed into courses that demonstrate your ability. An appropriate program of study includes courses that are not above or below your level of preparation, but offers an appropriate challenge and chance at success.

Please note that students with disabilities requiring accommodations for placement assessments must first contact Disability Resources and Services before they start the placement process. Various accommodations, including during the remotely proctored assessment, may be available. Please contact Disability Resources and Services for additional information.

General information

Most students are automatically placed into math and English courses using their student data, including but not limited to: high school grade point average, SAT/ACT scores, and/or AP (English only) scores while others will be required to take an assessment. Students who applied test-optional but have submitted SAT or ACT and high school grade point average (English only) to Temple are automatically placed and given the option to take an assessment. Some students will be required to take an assessment. For example, if Temple does not have enough information to automatically place a student, the student will need to take an assessment.

For placement using SAT/ACT scores, only scores from tests taken up to two years prior to the start of the incoming student’s first semester are considered in the automatic course placement calculations. Scores older than that are not used. For example, if a student’s first semester is Fall 2024, scores from tests taken on or after August 28, 2023 would be considered for course placement.

For English, students with an autoplacement are eligible to take an assessment. Students who are required to take an assessment for English or choose to take an assessment for math or a foreign language may also retake the assessment (one additional attempt for English and foreign language and two additional attempts for math).

Note that it's possible for a student to receive more than one course placement if, for instance, they receive an automatic course placement based on their student data and then take an assessment to try to place into a higher level course. In these cases, the student may take the highest course into which they place.

Please note that course placements into English 701/711, French 1001, German 1001, Italian 1001, Spanish 1001, Math 0701/0702, GQ, Math 1015, and Statistics 1001 do not expire. Placement assessment results into all other courses are valid for two years from the term in which they were taken.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credits

Temple University awards college credits to students who in high school participated in an Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) program, as detailed on Temple's Credit for Prior Learning page. Since AP and IB scores may not be available in time for orientation and advising, any student who has not already received an autoplacement must take the placement assessments. Even though students may receive transfer credit for completed and pending AP and IB Exams, in most cases, successful completion of these exams does not waive students from taking Placement Assessments. Students should discuss all AP exams scores (completed and pending) with a Temple academic advisor during their orientation academic advising appointment. Academic advisors will review individual student's cases during orientation and recommend Temple courses based on anticipated transfer credit, placement scores and degree requirements.

*Dates are tentative and subject to change.

If you have any questions about University Placement Assessments, call 215.204.8611 (M-F, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm EST) or send an email to Placements@temple.edu.