Most new students who wish to enroll in classes at TCC must participate in the
College Assessment Testing Program.

These assessments are not admissions tests.

They are designed to help plan your best course of study and ensure your success in college.

• About the tests
• Who takes the tests?
• Who is exempt from the testing?
• Is there a fee?
• Testing steps and preparation
• Non-native English-speaking (ESL) students
• Looking for other tests?

• Testing Centers locations & hours
• Assessment testing schedule

• The COMPASS/ESL Test is used to evaluate your reading, writing and math skills.
• For students whose native language is not English (ESL), reading, grammar and oral skills are assessed.
• Based upon your scores, you will be placed in either college-level courses or developmental or ESL (non-credit) courses.

Detailed information about the College’s placement and assessment policy and sample test questions are in the Placement Testing Sample Booklet available in the TCC Information Center (822-1122) and the Student Development Offices.

• All new students entering an associate degree, diploma or certificate program
• All new students planning to take an English, math, or history class
• All students whose native language is not English (ESL)
• Nursing Math Diagnostic test must be completed before students are considered for admission into the Nursing Program. [more]

• Non-curricular students may take up to nine credits, not including English, history or math courses.
• Students exempted by a counselor based on transcripts showing completion of college-level English and math with a grade of C or better. Submit the online form for The Evaluation of Previous Educational Experience Form.
• Students who have submitted appropriate scores on the SAT or ACT test taken no more than three years prior to enrollment. The student should provide a copy of the official scores from ACT or SAT to a TCC counselor who will interpret the scores to determine if you are exempt from the college’s assessment.
  The scores that exempt you from the assessment test at TCC are:
  • ACT Scores in Verbal (Writing and Reading) and Mathematics: 21*  or
  • SAT Scores in Critical Reading (as of 2005 testing) or Verbal (prior to 2005) and Mathematics: 500*

  The counselor will allow you to enroll in college-level English or select mathematics credit courses as indicated by your scores.

  * NOTE:  With the indicated mathematics scores, students qualify for MTH 150, MTH 152, or MTH 158
  If your curriculum requires MTH 163 or higher, you must take the COMPASS/ASSET test in mathematics with an initial domain of College Algebra.

Students may take assessment tests at any campus Testing Center. [locations]

Check the Testing Center's hours. An appointment may be necessary. [hours]

A $4.00 testing fee is payable at the Cashier Window at any campus Business Office and obtain a receipt. (Business Office hours do not include weekends, or hours immediately prior to Wednesday and Thursday 6:00 PM testing.)

To prepare for the test, there are steps to take including reviewing online sample test questions. [preparation steps]

Students with disabilities are encouraged to identify themselves to a Disability Services Counselor. Students with documented disabilities may qualify for academic accommodations such as more time on tests including the placement test, priority registration, and other services as needed. TCC offers placement assessment in Braille, tape, large print, and computer magnified formats. [more]

• Most non-native English speaking students are required to take an English-as-a-Second Language placement test before enrolling in college courses.

• Placement Testing for ESL students is available in every campus Testing Center according to the Placement Testing Schedule for the Open Testing Labs.

• Select non-native English speakers are NOT required to take the ESL Placement Tests and instead take the placement tests for native speakers. These include students who have earned a TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 80 (Internet-based).
  

• Students who do not demonstrate appropriate proficiencies on the native speaker’s English test may be placed in ESL or developmental classes. [TCC ESL website]