Testing - Placement

Applicants to all degree, diploma and selected certificate programs of study are required to demonstrate competence in the following five areas: 

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Sentence Skills/Grammar
  • Arithmetic
  • Elementary Algebra
  • Basic Computer Skills

Applicants can satisfy or meet each of the five competencies for initial college level placement as follows:

  Accuplacer Placement Test SAT ACT College Credit
COMPETENCE AREAS Minimum Score Required Minimum Score Required Minimum Score Required 100-level course > “C” grade
Reading Comprehension CPT Score > 80 Critical Reading > 500 Comp > 21 English course
Sentence Skills/Grammar CPT Score > 86 Critical Reading > 500 Comp > 21 English course
Arithmetic CPT Score > 55 Math > 500 Comp > 21 Math course
Elementary Algebra

CPT Score > 55

(see 1 below)

 Math > 500 Comp > 21 Algebra course
Basic Computer Skills CPT Score > 15 CPT Score > 15 CPT Score > 15 Computer course

Exempt from the Basic Computer Skills Test:

  • Students with “College Prep” or “Tech Prep” high school diplomas awarded within six years from the date of intended enrollment are considered to have met this requirement.
  • Students with college transfer credit of > 100-level course with a grade of > C are considered to have met this requirement.

Not Exempt from Test:

  • High School graduates with diplomas awarded more than six years prior to the date of intended enrollment.
  • GED students and high school graduates with “General Prep” or “Occupational Prep” diplomas.

1. ACCUPLACER Placement Test

a) Taking the Test

  • Free to all SCC applicants.
  • Average test completion time is 1.5 to 2 hours.
  • Schedule to take the test by contacting the Testing office.
  • A valid photo I.D. is required at the time of testing.
  • Test Regulations - Calculators, notebooks, earphones, dictionaries and textbooks are not allowed in the testing room. The testing center will provide scratch paper and a pencil for test takers. All cell phones need to be turned off during testing. Talking to other students is not permitted.
  • Distance Learning students (those who do not live in the Jackson, Macon and Swain County area) may contact the SCC Testing Office for assistance in securing a test site near them.

Click on the link to download the SCC Testing Study Guide and Sample Test.

Other Study Guides:

b) Test Results

  • Score Report: Upon completion of the test, the student will receive a printed score report. The test administrator and your advisor will help you interpret the scores.
  • Time Limit on Use of Scores: Test scores are considered valid for initial placement for a period of three years from the date the assessment was completed.
  • Score Interpretation:

1) Reading & Sentence Skills -

  • A Reading score of > 80 and Sentence Skills score of > 86, is required for a student take ENG 111.
  • A Reading score of > 80 is required to take most College Transfer courses.
  • Reading scores of < 80 requires a student to take RED 090.
  • Sentence Skills scores of < 86 requires a student to take ENG 090 and ENG 090A.

2) Arithmetic and Elementary Algebra -

  • An Arithmetic score of > 55 and Elementary Algebra scores between 55-74, a student may take MAT 080, 110, 115, 121, or 140.
  • An Arithmetic score of > 55 and Elementary Algebra scores of > 75, a student may take MAT 141, 151, 161, or 171.
  • Math courses above 171 require either higher scores or successful completion of the required prerequisite course or courses. The college may require additional math testing prior to being permitted to take upper level math courses.
  • An Arithmetic score of < 55 requires a student to take MAT 060.
  • An Elementary Algebra score of < 55 requires a student to take MAT 070.

3) Basic Computer Skills -

  • A Basic Computer Skills score of > 15 is required to meet this competency.
  • A Basic Computer Skills score of < 15 requires a student to take CIS 070.
  • Contact the Testing Office for details.

c) Retest Policy:

  • If a student places into a Developmental Education course and feels that the placement test did not adequately reflect skill level, the student may request a retest.
  • A student may retest no more than one time for a term.
  • If after the retest, the student continues to feel that the test did not adequately reflect skill level and places in the borderline range of 47-50 percentile in Sentence Skills or Reading Comprehension, the student may be permitted to demonstrate proficiency by taking an alternative assessment under the direction of the Dean of Arts & Sciences.

d) Other Placement Tests

  • The college accepts ASSET and COMPASS scores. Scores must be sent from the institution administering the test.
  • Contact the SCC Testing Office for details.

2. SAT

  • Scores: SAT scores of at least > 500 Verbal (Critical Reading) and > 500 Math are required for tests taken after April 1, 1995.
  • For test scores that fall below the established minimums, the College requires Developmental Education courses to improve basic skills.
  • The college may require additional math testing prior to being permitted to take upper level math courses. A SAT Math score of > 600 is required to be considered eligible to register for MAT courses at or above 175.
  • Basic Computer Skills must be met by taking the Basic College Skills Test module of the CPT.
Exempt from Test:
  • Students with “College Prep” or “Tech Prep” high school diplomas awarded within six years from the date of intended enrollment are considered to have met this requirement.
  • Students with college transfer credit of > 100-level course with a grade of > C are considered to have met this requirement.

Not Exempt from Test:

  • High School graduates with diplomas awarded more than six years prior to the date of intended enrollment.
  • GED students and high school graduates with “General Prep” or “Occupational Prep” diplomas.

3. ACT

  • Scores: ACT Composite score of > 21 is required for tests taken after April 1, 1995.
  • For test scores that fall below the established minimums, the college requires Developmental Education courses to improve basic skills.
  • Basic Computer Skills must be met by taking the Basic College Skills Test module of the CPT.

Exempt from Test:

  • Students with “College Prep” or “Tech Prep” high school diplomas awarded within six years from the date of intended enrollment are considered to have met this requirement.
  • Students with college transfer credit of > 100-level course with a grade of > C are considered to have met this requirement.

Not Exempt from Test:

  • High School graduates with diplomas awarded more than six years prior to the date of intended enrollment.
  • GED students and high school graduates with “General Prep” or “Occupational Prep” diplomas.

4. College Transfer Credit

  • Submit official transcripts demonstrating successful completion of college-level algebra, English and computer courses at a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Courses must be at the 100 level or higher, must have a grade of “C” or higher, and must have been completed within the past 10 years. There is no time limit for courses taken by a student at an institution where a degree was received.
  • Courses classified as developmental or remedial will not transfer to SCC but may be used to meet the Placement Test requirements.
  • Official transcripts must be received from the issuing institutions before transfer credit is awarded.

5. HOAE - Health Occupations Aptitude Examination

(Click on the above link for more info)

Confidentiality:

Your test scores and the information you provide when taking the test will only be available to the College Board, to Southwestern Community College and to North Carolina Community College System to meet their requirements. The information may be used to document whether or not you met testing requirements. The above agencies may also use it for research and statistical purposes. The test information will not be disclosed for any other purpose without your personal consent and signature. Any questions concerning confidentiality, please see your Test Administrator.

Special Accommodations:

If you have a disability (permanent or temporary) that will affect testing conditions, you should request such accommodations before taking the test. Request for accommodations along with appropriate documentation of disability must be presented to the Director of Student Support Services.

Placement Testing

Applicants to a program of study are required to demonstrate competence in reading, grammar and mathematics.

Competence can be demonstrated in any one of these three ways:

  1. Students can have successfully completed algebra and English courses at the college level
  2. Students can have SAT scores of at least 500 Verbal (Critical Reading) and 500 Math or an ACT composite score of at least 21. (A minimum score of 400 on each section of the SAT or 18 composite on the ACT will be accepted if the test was taken prior to April 1, 1995)
  3. Students can take the College Board’s ACCUPLACER (CPT) offered free by SCC to all applicants. Sentence skills, reading, algebra and arithmetic are the subject areas included on the test. The average test completion time is 1 1/2 hours. For students whose test scores fall below established minimums, the College requires developmental education courses to improve basic skills. Applicants will receive information from the Admissions Office on how to schedule a test session. You must present photo I.D. at the time of testing.

 

Test Regulations

Calculators, notebooks, dictionaries or textbooks are not allowed in the testing room. The testing center will provide scratch paper and a pencil for test takers. All cell phones need to be turned off during testing. Talking to other students is not allowed.

Distance learning students, those who do not live in the Jackson, Macon and Swain County area can arrange to have tests proctored at a local community college or university. In addition www.ncta-testing.org provides a list of schools that proctor exams, there is usually a fee associated with this. Contact the SCC Testing Office (828) 339-4332 once a proctor is located or if there are problems securing a test site. Accuplacer (Reading, Sentence Skills, Arithmetic, Elementary Algebra), Asset (Reading, Writing, Numerical Skills and Elementary Algebra) and Compass (Reading, Writing, Pre-algebra and Algebra) Exams are accepted.

Placement Testing: Retest Policy 

If a student places into a Developmental Education course, and he/she feels that the placement test did not adequately reflect her/his skill level, the student may request a retest. If after the retest, he/she continues to feel that the test did not adequately reflect her/his skill level and he/she places in the borderline range of 47-50 percentile in Sentence Skills, the student may be permitted to demonstrate proficiency by writing a one-page essay under the direction of the Dean of Arts & Sciences.

Health Occupations Aptitude Examination (HOAE)

  • Applicants seeking admission into the following Selective Admission Health Science programs must take the Health Occupations Aptitude Examination: Medical Assisting, Medical Sonography, Nursing Associate Degree, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiography and Respiratory Therapy.
  • The HOAE measures abilities, skills, knowledge, and attitudes important for successful performance in Health Science programs. The resulting scores are one component in the highly competitive health science selection process. A specialized internal scoring system is utilized to accumulate points applied to the selection process. The examination consists of five parts: academic aptitude, spelling, reading comprehension, natural science and vocational adjustment.
  • A $20 nonrefundable fee is charged for test administration and scoring. Applicants must have signed permission from their advisor prior to scheduling and paying for the test.

Test Information:

Applicants may test once during an academic year. Requests for retest must be approved by the program advisor. 

Release of Placement Test Scores or HOAE Test Scores:

Placement Test Scores may not be released to any individual other than the student unless otherwise authorized in writing by the student. Request for transfer of test scores may be mailed or faxed to the college. Students are required to show a photo ID before placement scores can be released directly to the student. No fee is charged for scores.