This report offers details of the results of basic skills testing of the entering freshman class in New Jersey's public colleges. Levels of proficiency in verbal skills, computation, and elementary algebra are estimated from performance on the New Jersey College Basic Skills Placement Test. For the 48,791 students tested in the fall of 1989, 24% appeared proficient in verbal skills, 41% appeared proficient in some verbal areas, and 35% lacked proficiency. In computation, 31% appeared proficient, 24% appeared proficient in some areas, and 45% lacked proficiency. In elementary algebra, 14% appeared proficient, 28% appeared proficient in some areas, and 58% lacked proficiency. Results are presented for different college sectors, for recent high-school graduates, and over a 10-year time period. Special factors are discussed, such as high-school homework as a factor in proficiency, students for whom English is a second language, and outcomes of skills-deficient students who enroll in college remediation. Appendices contain a description of the test and sample questions, a list of participating independent and proprietary institutions, mean scaled scores from 1980-1989, and a description of the proficiency levels established as a guide for college placement procedures. (JDD)