Placement Testing

Student Success

Placement Testing Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Who must take placement tests?
    College policy requires all students to be tested in reading, English, and mathematics to determine their readiness for college-level coursework. Test results do not affect admission to MCCC.

Is anyone exempt from placement testing?
  • Students who have a SAT Critical Reading (or Verbal) score of 500 or more are exempt from the Reading Placement Test. This score does not exempt students from the required English Placement Test. If trying to send SAT scores to MCCC, our College Board Code is 2445.
  • Students who have a SAT Math score of 550 or above are exempt from the Math Placement Test. This exemption permits students to register for MAT 100 Intermediate Algebra, MAT 103 Foundations of Mathematics I, MAT 106 Math Applications, MAT 108 Mathematics Culture and Concept, and MAT 115 Applied Algebra/Trigonometry I. Students who want to take higher level courses will need to take the Math Placement Test and score appropriately. Enrollment in MAT 125 Discrete Mathematics, MAT 131 Introduction to Statistics I, MAT 140 Finite Mathematics for Business, MAT 161 Precalculus I, MAT 188 Calculus with a Review of Functions I, or MAT 190 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I require a higher placement than provided by the SAT exemption. Students should check their curriculum to see what mathematics courses are required in their program. If trying to send SAT scores to MCCC, our College Board Code is 2445.
  • Students who have an associate, bachelor, or graduate degree. (Exception: All nursing program applicants must take the mathematics test.)
  • Students who earned a C or higher in a college level English are exempt from the English test; students who earned C or higher in college level math are exempt from the math test.
  • Students who earned a C or higher in a college level reading/study skills course or in three reading-intensive college level courses i.e. history, sociology, economics, etc. are exempt from the reading test.
  • Students who earned an AP score of 3 or higher in English or math are exempt from the English and math tests.

    • Note: Students need to bring or fax (215-641-6441 or 610-718-1837) a copy of their transcript to the Placement Testing Offices at Central or West Campus to complete the exemption.

How long does the testing take?
    Initial Placement Testing is untimed, but it usually takes a student an hour and a half (30 minutes for each of the three test sections) to complete the test. Retests are optional, and are written and timed: the English retest, a writing sample on a given topic, takes 35 minutes; the Reading retest takes 35 minutes; the Math retest takes 45 minutes.

What does the testing cost?
    No fees are charged for the testing.

When can I come in for testing?

    At Central Campus in Bluebell,walk-in placement testing (no appointment necessary) is available Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 5:30 pm and on Friday from 9 am to 2 pm. Saturday placement testing is available, by appointment only, at 9:30 am and 12:30 pm. Appointments for all placement testing are necessary during midterm and final exam periods. The Central Campus testing schedule for each month is posted on the MCCC Testing Center web page. For questions or appointments, email us at placementtesting@mc3.edu or call us at 215-641-6646. If you leave a message and a number where you can be reached, someone will return your call within one business day.

    West Campus testing is on a walk-in basis. Walk-in hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am-4:30 pm, Fridays 9:00 am-2:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am-11:30 am. Please call 610-718-1906 if you have any questions.

When will I know the results?
    Results of the initial computerized tests, math retests, and reading retests are available upon completion of the exam. English retest results will be sent to the student in the mail and will be received by the student a week to 10 days after the exam (the essays must be read by two English instructors). Results will not be released over the phone.

What does developmental placement mean?
    Students who place into pre-college developmental level courses must complete those courses successfully before taking college-level, credit-bearing courses.

Is there a special test for English as a second language?
    English as a Second Language (ESL) students take the LOEP(Level of English Proficiency) test in Reading, Sentence Meaning and Language usage and are required to provide a short writing sample.

How can disabled students arrange special accommodations?
    Anyone with a disability that prevents him/her from taking the tests under standard conditions should contact Saul Finkle, Director of Services for Students with Disabilities at 215-641-6575 at Central Campus or Donna Horsey, Assistant Director of Advising & Counseling, at 610-718-1839 at West Campus.

Are retests permitted?
    Students may retest once in any or all of the three subjects areas. The higher score between initial and retesting will prevail. All retests are written (paper/pencil, NOT computer) and timed.

Revised 09/08