Frequently Asked Questions

Download instructions (PDF) to configure Chromebook for remote ACCUPLACER testing.

There are multiple ways placement can be determined at MCC. MCC uses the highest course placement for each subject area from any combination of the following:

ACT Scores If you've taken the ACT within the last three years, submit your official scores to the Student Data Center.

• ACT - English - Scores of 18 and higher can be used for placement
• ACT - Reading - Any score can be used for placement
• ACT - Math - Scores of 22 and higher can be used for placement
  
  

High School GPA (Seventh semester or final and converted to a 4.0 scale) - If you've graduated within the last three year, submit your official transcript to the Student Data Center.

• English - GPA of 3.0 or higher can be used for placement
• Reading - Any GPA can be used for placement
• Math - Any GPA can be used for placement
  
  

Prior College Credit If you have taken college level courses, including dual credit courses, submit your official transcript to the Student Data Center.

• English - Successful (C or better) completion of a college level English course can be used for placement.
• Reading - Successful (C or better) completion of ENGL 101 or 12 college credits with a 2.0 or higher GPA, can be use used for placement.
• Math - Successful (C or better) completion of a college level math course, can be used for placement.
  
  

Placement Test (ACCUPLACER) Is used for students who cannot place using one of the methods listed above.

ACCUPLACER placement survey

Placement Survey

Take this online survey to find out if you need to take any kind of placement (ACCUPLACER) testing at MCC.

ID Requirements

• Passport
• REAL ID
• State ID
• Driver's License
• Military ID
• Alien registration card (green card, permanent resident, Visa)
• School ID
  
  

The ID must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be original (no photo copies)
• Be current and valid - expired ID's are unacceptable

Using ACT Scores* - If you've taken the ACT within the last three years

Test	Score	College Level Placement
ACT - English	18-36	ENGL 101
ACT - Reading	18-22	READ 100 recommended
	23-36	No reading required
ACT - Math	22 or above	MATH 115, 119 or 120
	26 or above	MATH 130, 141, 150, 175 or 180

*Official scores should be reported to the Student Data Center

Using High School GPA (Fourth semester or later at time of application and converted to 4.0 scale)* – If you’ve graduated within the last three years or are a current high school student.

Area	HS GPA	College Level Placement
English	3.0 - 4.0	ENGL 101
Reading	3.0 - 3.39	READ 100 recommended
	3.40 - 4.00	No reading required
Math	3.15 - 3.29	MATH 120 linked with MATH 99
	3.30 - 4.0	MATH 115, MATH 119 or MATH 120

*High School transcripts should be submitted to the Student Data Center

Prior college credit can be used to exempt a student from placement testing

Area	Prior college credit requirement
English	Successful (C or better) completion of a college level English course
Reading	Successful completion of ENGL 101 or Completion of 12 college credits with a 2.0 or higher GPA
Math	Successful (C or better) completion of a college level Math course

*All college transcripts should be sent to the Student Data Center

The placement test (ACCUPLACER) is not a pass/fail test. The scores indicate your strengths and your academic needs. MCC uses this information to determine your placement and will provide developmental courses designed to prepare you for college level course work, if needed.

There is no charge for the first time you take the test. The scores are valid for three years. If you choose to retest before the three years are up, you must pay a $25 retest fee.

High school students may take the first test for free; they also may retest one time with no charge. A second retest will be $25.

Placement tests are not timed. Plan for 2-3 hours for testing.

If you have taken the ACT in the last three years, you may be able to use the scores in place of testing for all or part of the sections (reading, writing, math).

Bring a copy of your scores to the testing center. An MCC representative will determine if further testing is necessary.

You must provide a transcript of your college credit. If you took college-level English or math with a grade of "C" or better, you may not be required to take the placement test.

If your college credit is from another institution, see a Student Success Advisor before testing.

If you took the COMPASS or ACCUPLACER at MCC in the past, you may not need to take the test again if your test was less than three years ago. If the scores are older than that, you will need to retake the placement test.

If you took the placement test in the past and have college credit, you may not have to retake all or part of the exam. Talk with a Student Success Advisor before retesting.

• You can test on a walk-in basis at any MCC testing center.
• Bring a valid photo ID.
• The ACCUPLACER is administered on a computer. The program is user-friendly even if you have little or no computer experience. The test is untimed and adapts to your abilities with the questions increasing in difficulty. This is how ACCUPLACER determines the classes you should begin taking.
• The reading test asks you to highlight the main idea of a passage to measure comprehension and prior knowledge.
• The writing test includes grammar, punctuation and sentence structure as well as strategy, organization and style in effective writing.
• The math test may include algebra and advanced math problems. You can use an online calculator for some of the questions. Other questions will not allow the use of a calculator.

Sample questions are available at the MCC libraries, or you may go to the ACCUPLACER website.

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You may take the placement test at any MCC testing center. The testing centers do not administer different tests depending on their location.

If you take the ACCUPLACER and your scores place you in ENGLISH 80 or ENGLISH 90, you have an opportunity to move your placement to a higher course by writing an essay.

You can write the essay the same day after you test or can make an appointment. You will be provided with writing prompts and you will choose one. You will have one hour to complete the essay. It will be graded by two English instructors.

Students whose first language is not English will write an essay before taking the online ESL-ACCUPLACER.

No, you do not need to take the placement test.

Contact your campus Disability Support Services (DSS) office to determine what paperwork you are required to submit to be granted accommodations.

Your first step regarding testing after you have arranged testing accommodations with Disability Support Services (DSS) and submitted paperwork to your instructor is to schedule your test with your campus testing center. Your instructor will not do this for you.

Scheduling your tests ahead of time (1-3 days, or even sooner for midterms and finals) means that you should be able to have access to a private room, if needed. If you wait, all of the rooms may be scheduled at the time you want to test.

You MUST schedule the following tests:

• MCC online tests that require proctoring (see SmarterProctoring link on Canvas);
• non-MCC online course tests (a $25 proctor fee is required;
• ATI TEAS tests;
• Pearson VUE;
• HiSET;
• TABE;
• NOCTI;
• and the HESI A2 tests.

ACCUPLACER and make-up tests are administered on a walk in basis.

Contact your instructor. Information can be found in your syllabus. Testing can be arranged at a testing center before you leave town.

Contact your instructor immediately by phone, email or in person to request a makeup test. Access Canvas for your instructor's contact information.

Instructions for make-up tests are sent or delivered to your campus testing center. Makeup tests are administered on a walk in basis. Be sure you have a photo ID when you arrive to test.

MCC uses YuJa Verity to proctor tests in online and virtual classes. YuJa Verity may also be used in other classes as well. YuJa Verity requires a webcam and microphone.

Scantrons can be purchased in the campus bookstores.