Assessment Testing for PlacemenT: Steps

Testing Steps Admission Practice tests Fee Day of test

1. Admission to TCC
   Gain acceptance to the college by submitting an Application for Admission. Students must be admitted to the college prior to taking the placement tests, and should allow 48 hours for an application to be processed.
   

   Once you have submitted your Application for Admission, you can take the tests on any campus as early as two semesters before you plan to enroll at the college and up until the beginning of the semester in which you plan to attend.

   Early testing is a benefit to you.  You will be ready to enroll in classes when registration begins and have access to the largest selection of classes available. Testing in early spring is a great time for potential June high school graduates to take the placement tests.

   
   
2. Take Practice Tests in Preparation
   

    

   All students are encouraged to prepare for placement testing. Resources are available to help students perform at their optimum--and TCC recommends that students utilize the resources available so that they may perform at their best when taking placement tests. Preparation materials vary by English and math, and also vary by a student's academic background.

   English (Reading and Writing)

   To prepare for English placement testing, students should review online sample test questions.

   Students whose native language is English should participate in the COMPASS Reading and COMPASS Writing reviews to prepare for English placement. (Open and print PDF versions of each set of practice sample questions and answers for the COMPASS placement measures.)

   Students whose native language is not English should participate in the English as a Second Language practice. (Open and print PDF versions of each set of practice sample questions and answers for the COMPASS placement measures.)

   Math

   Prepatory materials are available for students who must take a math placement test. These materials vary and depend upon the math placement test that a student is advised to take. Students should contact a counselor, an academic advisor, or a Testing Center to determine the appropriate test for which they should prepare if there is any question.

   Regardless of the test taken, students are not permitted to bring a calculator for testing. On-screen calculators are available at tesing time. These are the same as available on any PC.  Practice BEFORE you come for the test.
   

   VIRGINIA PLACEMENT TEST (Mathematics component)

   Most students will take and should practice for the Virginia Placement Test (VPT) for math placement.

   Click here to download instructions for practicing the VPT.

   COMPASS

   However, the following students should take the COMPASS test for math placement.

   1) Students 18 years of age and older without an earned high school diploma, GED, or the home-schooled equivalent.*

   2) Students who received a "Special Diploma" or "Certificate of Completion" from a Virginia public high school.*

   (*To be eligible for federal financial aid, students must score at or above the required COMPASS test scores for reading, writing, and mathematics during one testing session.)

   Practice tests for COMPASS Math include: (on ACT website)

   • Numerical Skills/Pre-Algebra
   • More Pre-Algebra, Elementary and Intermediate Algebra Practice

   (Open and print PDF versions of each set of practice sample questions and answers for the COMPASS placement measures.)
   

3. Pay fee and present receipt
   Pay a $4.00 testing fee at any campus Business Office. (See Business Office hours of operation in the current Class Schedule or on TCC's website.) Present the receipt for $4.00 along with a photo ID to the Testing Center Proctor.
   

Testing Centers hours of operation Arrive at the Testing Center fifteen (15) minutes prior to your appointment. Present a photo ID and the receipt for $4.00 to the Testing Center Proctor. Make other arrangements for children and family so you can fully concentrate on the test. Allow at least three (3) hours to complete the Placement Tests. Placement testing sessions will NOT be started any later than three hours before the posted closing time.

Note: Acrobat Reader is free software which you MUST have to open and read pdf files. If you do not have Acrobat Reader on your PC, you may download it quickly by following the instructions at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html