PLACEMENT TESTING POLICY
The college uses placement tests to assess skills in reading, writing and mathematics. The results are used to place students into courses where they will have the best opportunity to succeed (college level courses or developmental courses to build skills necessary for college level work). Courses are available for students who need developmental work as determined by placement testing. Students who place into developmental courses can retest once before starting the developmental courses. The best score will be used for placement. Students who have started the developmental courses are not eligible to retest. Developmental coursework does not count toward degree requirements.
Some students may be placed into English or Mathematics courses as a result of PSSA, ACT, or SAT scores, or previous degrees or courses. It is the student's responsibility to furnish the appropriate evidence (for example, through grade reports, unofficial transcripts, score reports, etc.). If a student has records from several sources that can be used for placement (for example, SAT scores and PSSA scores and Placement test scores) the information that results in the highest placement will be used.
English Placement
Before registering for any credit courses, students who apply for admission into a certificate or degree program are placed into English I (or other courses that require English I eligibility) in the following ways.
- Providing evidence of a score of 500 or higher on both SAT Writing and Critical Reading exams (2005 and beyond) or a score of 500 or higher on the SAT Verbal exam (2004 or earlier).
- Providing evidence of combined Reading and Writing 11th grade PSSA score of at least 2650 with neither Reading nor Writing score below 1200.
- Providing evidence of a score of 21 or higher on the ACT English Exam.
- Taking the English placement test which assesses skills in reading and writing to determine eligibility for ENGL 101.
If students need developmental work before being eligible for ENGL 101, they must begin their developmental courses in their first semester at the college and complete the developmental sequence as determined by the test before enrolling in ENGL 101 or any other courses that require eligibility for ENGL 101.
Mathematics Placement
For initial mathematics placement, all students who will need a mathematics course for their major are expected to take the Mathematics Placement Test before enrolling in their first semester (unless they meet noted exemptions). Not all NCC programs require the same mathematics course(s). Some majors do not require a mathematics course. Students will be placed in the appropriate mathematics course using the guidelines listed below.
Students registering for MATH 020, 103 or 110 are not required to take the math placement test.
Students can place into MATH 118, 119, 120, 140 or 150 in one of the following ways:
- Providing evidence of a score of 500 or higher on the SAT mathematics exam.
- Providing evidence of an 11th grade PSSA math score of 1300 or higher.
- Demonstrating appropriate competence in mathematics as determined by the mathematics placement test.
Students can place into MATH 145, 160, 165, 175 or 180 by demonstrating appropriate competence in mathematics as determined by the mathematics placement test or completing the prerequisite course(s) listed in each course description.
For MATH 176, 181, 202, 210 and 211 refer to the prerequisites in each course description.
If students need developmental mathematics coursework, they must begin the developmental sequence in their first semester at the college. It may take multiple semesters for students to complete the necessary developmental coursework to be eligible for the required mathematics course(s) in their major.
Placement for English as a Second Language
Students whose first language is not English and who need English as a Second Language courses should contact the ESL department for testing and placement.
Exemptions from Placement Testing
The following students do not need to take the placement tests:
- Students who place into English or mathematics courses based on other testing.
- Students auditing courses.
- Students who do not intend to register in a degree or certificate program but do intend to take courses other than courses with math and English placement prerequisites.
Accommodations
Accommodations for students with special needs will be made with the approval of the Department of Services for Students with Disabilities.
PLACEMENT TESTING SCHEDULE
