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Placement Testing Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to take placement/assessment exams?

Applicants for technical and college transfer programs may be required to take placement/assessment exams as part of the application process. Placement/Assessment exams are not required for the following category of applicants:

  • A. Applicants applying to a certificate program for which the curriculum does not require a pre- or co-requisite math or English course.
  • Transfer students who earned a grade of “C” or better in one college-level English and mathematics course at an approved college, university or technical institution. If the transfer student’s transcript is not on file for verification, the student may be required to take an assessment` exam.
  • B. Applicants who hold an associate or higher post-secondary degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • C. Applicants classified as Special Credit or non-degree seeking students are subject to the College’s College Readiness Assessment Policy to determine if they meet course prerequisites, unless they have professional/life experience, provide written documentation from a peer/senior institution to enroll in a specific course, or they meet the criteria mentioned in paragraph A or B above.
  • D. Applicants who have recently graduated from high school, within the last 10 years, with an unweighted GPA of 2.8 or higher. (Recent high school graduates that enter the college with an unweighted GPA between 2.2 and 2.799 must enroll in a co-requisite English/ math course when enrolling in a gateway English/math course. Students below an unweighted GPA of 2.2 must enroll in a one semester transition English/math course prior to enrolling in a gateway English/math course.)
  • E. Applicants who have taken the ACT and/or SAT with scores as follows:
    English:
    ACT Reading: 22 or ACT English: 18 (ACT Reading 20-21 or ACT English 16-17 must enroll in co-requisite English course when enrolling in a gateway English course).
    SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing 480
    Math:
    ACT Math: 22 (ACT Math 20-21 must enroll in co-requisite Math course when enrolling in a gateway math course).
    SAT Math 530

What are placement/assessment exams?

Colleges often use placement/assessment exams to determine your readiness for college level coursework by measuring your reading, writing, and math skills. You cannot “pass” or “fail” these exams, but it is important that you study before the exam to assure you are placed into the appropriate courses based on current knowledge. If you are college ready, you will be exempt from completing developmental education (college readiness) course work and may begin enrolling in college level courses in your first semester.

Is there a fee for these exams?

There is no fee to complete any placement/assessment exam.

I had accommodations in high school, can I receive those same testing accommodations at BCC?

Yes. Contact our Director of Disability Resources prior to testing to arrange for accommodations.

Are there any study materials?

Where is the testing center?

The TLC Lab is located within the College’s Learning Resource Center, Building A, 2nd Floor.

What do I bring on test day?

Bring a valid picture ID and your BCC Student ID number. You will want to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled testing time. Pencils and scratch paper will be provided during the testing session. External calculators are not permitted. There is a calculator available within the testing software for the math portion.

How can I view or request a copy of my testing scores?

Visit the Academic Support office, Building A, to meet with a Success Coach to review your test scores.

Can I take the placement test more than once?

You can retake a placement/assessment exam twice in an academic year, with at least 30 days in between each session. However, you may not retake a placement/assessment exam after enrolling in college readiness courses. Make sure to study before sitting for the exam. Refer to the resources available on BCC’s Placement Assessment webpage.

 

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