Student Central FAQ: Placement Testing - General Information
Question: What is a placement exam?
Answer: Placement exams assess your current knowledge and skills to determine the appropriate level of courses you should enroll in.
Question: Who is required to take placement exams?
Answer: Students who are seeking a degree or credit certificate are required to have a math and reading placement on file. If you cannot meet certain criteria for a testing exemption, you are required to take placement exams.
Question: What is the purpose of placement tests?
Answer: Placement tests are designed to assess your current skill levels in areas like math, reading, and writing. This helps us recommend the most appropriate courses for you based on your strengths and areas for improvement.
Question: Which placement tests am I required to complete?
Answer: Required tests may include the NextGen AccuPlacer for Early College Access Program (ECAP) students, ALEKS for math placement, and English placement assessments. Specific requirements depend on your academic program and previous academic records.
Question: Are placement tests required for all incoming students?
Answer: Placement tests are required for degree or credit certificate-seeking students, especially if you do not meet certain criteria associated with SAT, ACT, or AP scores.
Question: Is there an option for waiving placement tests based on previous coursework or standardized test scores?
Answer: Yes, if you have valid, official scores from the SAT, ACT, or AP exams, these can sometimes be used to waive certain placement tests. Only official test scores (SAT, ACT, AP, etc.) are accepted.
Question: Can my high school GPA exempt me from taking placement test?
Answer: Yes, a 2.5 unweighted GPA will exempt you from the English assessment and place you directly into ENGL 101. A GPA of 3.0 or higher will place you into MATH 083, MATH 125, or MATH 153. Your advisor will help determine the most appropriate math level based on your program of study.
Question: How do placement tests affect my course registration?
Answer: Your placement results will determine the courses you are eligible to register for, ensuring you are placed in the correct level for your skills.
Question: Am I exempted from taking a placement test?
Answer: You may be eligible if you have an official, qualifying SAT, ACT, or AP score, or if you've completed coursework that demonstrates proficiency. A staff member can check your record to determine your exemption.
CCBC Staff Resource Article: Multiple Measures Resource
Question: I'm still in high school and am looking to complete a degree or credit certificate. What assessment should I take?
Answer: Early College Access Program (ECAP) students are required to complete the NextGen AccuPlacer. If you are currently in high school and your GPA is below 2.5, you are required to complete the NextGen AccuPlacer.
Question: How long are my SAT or ACT scores valid?
Answer: SAT and ACT scores are valid for five years, while AP scores do not expire. There is no shelf-life for accredited college transcripts (unless specific courses are outdated).
Question: How long are my assessment levels valid?
Answer: Assessment levels are valid for two years.
Question: I submitted my ACT/SAT scores. How do I know if CCBC has received them?
Answer: Staff should check Banner Xtender to see if scores have been indexed. If not, the request should be escalated to CCBC's Director of Testing and Assessment for more information.