Placement Test Waivers
Do I Need to Take Placement Tests?
COVID-19 Update to Placement Procedures:
Until the college reopens to the public, the Testing Center is closed.
Students who graduated from high school over five years ago should discuss their readiness for college English and math with an advisor. Please contact the Advising Center by phone or email to discuss your options for correct placement without taking a placement test.
You can waive the placement test requirement, if you:
- Submit an official transcript to the Advising Center showing completion of college-level English or math with a grade of C or higher at an accredited institution where English is the official language. If you have not taken math or English within the last five years, meet with an advisor to discuss your readiness.
- Have successfully completed developmental courses at another community college in Virginia. If you completed developmental coursework at non-VCCS institution, your course will be evaluated for placement by Advising.
- Are taking classes for personal enrichment and are not enrolled in an English, math or another course that requires a pre-requisite or readiness in English or math. Course descriptions in the college catalog lists pre-requisite and readiness requirements.
- Have graduated from high school within the last five years and can submit a high school transcript (unofficial transcript is acceptable) demonstrating one of the following placement measures:
English Placement
| English Placement Measure | H.S. GPA or Score Range | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| High School GPA (H.S. GPA) | 3.0 or higher | ENG 111 |
| 2.7 - 2.9 | ENF3/ENG 111 | |
| SAT-ERW (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) |
480 or above | ENG 111 |
| 460 - 470 range | ENF3/ENG 111 | |
| SAT – Critical Reading (Verbal) and Writing (Pre-March 2016) |
500 or above (on both sections) |
ENG 111 |
| ACT-Subject Area Tests: English and Reading | 18 or above (on each test) |
ENG 111 |
| 15 - 17 range (on each test) |
ENF3/ENG 111 | |
| GED-English (RLA-Reading through Language Arts) | 165 or above | ENG 111 |
Math Placement
| Math Placement Measures* | H.S. GPA or Score Range | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| H.S. GPA and Algebra II and One Algebra Intensive Course** |
3.0 or higher | MTE 1 – 9 Satisfied |
| 2.7 - 2.9 | MTE 1-9 Co-Requisite Eligible MTH 161 + MCR 6 |
|
| H.S. GPA and Algebra II | 3.0 or higher | MTE 1 – 5 Satisfied |
| 2.7 - 2.9 | MTE 1-5 Co-Requisite Eligible MTH 154 + MCR4 |
|
| H.S. GPA and Algebra I | 3.0 or higher | MTE 1 – 3 Satisfied |
| SAT – Math | 530 or above | MTE 1 – 9 Satisfied |
| 510 – 520 range | MTE 1 – 5 Satisfied | |
| ACT – Subject Area Test: Math | 22 or above | MTE 1 – 9 Satisfied |
| 19 – 21 range | MTE 1 – 5 Satisfied | |
| GED – Math | 165 or above | MTE 1 – 5 Satisfied |
| 155 - 164 | MTE 1 – 3 Satisfied |
*Students must meet pre-requisites or complete the VPT for placement into MTH 162, MTH 245, MTH 261, MTH 263, MTH 264, MTH 265, MTH 266, MTH 267, MTH 288.
**Algebra Intensive Courses above Algebra II include Trigonometry, Math Analysis, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Algebra III. Must be demonstrated with a high school transcript. Learn how to obtain your high school transcript.
NOTE: Students may complete the VPT Calculus Test for placement into Pre-Calculus II, Calculus, and 200-level Statistics.
The Testing Center is currently closed.
High school seniors can submit an unofficial transcript to admissions and records after their first semester of their high school senior year to determine if placement tests are necessary.
All students have the option to take the Virginia Placement Test in order to improve their placement standing after other measures are considered. This option will be available when the college reopens to the public.
Concurrent/Home-Schooled Students
Concurrent/home-schooled students planning to take transfer courses must test into ENG 111 and MTE 1, while those planning to take non-transfer courses must test into ENF 1 and MTE 1. Developmental classes are not, however, available to concurrent/home-schooled students.
Concurrent students who provide official evidence of a satisfactory PSAT, SAT or ACT scores, taken within the last two years, are exempt from taking the VCCS English and/or mathematics placement test. Learn more about requirements and cut-off scores on our Concurrent Enrollment page.
