Each math, English & ESL ACCUPLACER® test is a personalized computer adaptive test, which means that a student's performance on one test question determines the difficulty level of the next question to be delivered. A test-taker's score on a computer-adaptive test is determined by two factors: the number of questions answered correctly, and the difficulty level of the questions answered correctly.

Things you need to know about Placement Tests

• In order to take the tests, you must have an application on file with the Admissions Office.
• The tests are administered on a walk-in basis, so no appointment is necessary.
• You must bring a picture ID to the Assessment Center to be eligible to test.
• Calculators are not permitted.
• Each test usually takes approximately 45 minutes to complete, so you should be prepared to spend at least 90 minutes at the center.
• It’s important that you give yourself enough time to complete the tests, as the results will determine which courses you can take.
• Your results will be available immediately and an Assessment Center staff member will go over the placement with you.
  
  

Retest Policy

A student may retest once per semester if a course in a sequence has not yet been completed. Testing twice into the same course level means that the student must take that course and will not be allowed to retest in that discipline. Scores will be valid for two calendar years. If no college English, math, or ESL courses are taken for two years, students must retest to update their assessment profiles.

Assessment tests are used to evaluate skill levels and are not intended to advance a student to a higher level. Once a student has received a grade in a course in a sequence the student can no longer retest to skip forward in the sequence. The course must be completed with a “C” or better before moving on to the next level. If students feel that they have the skills to be successful in a higher-level course, but lack the academic evidence, they will be referred to the counseling office for information on possible options.

Please note that we no longer fax placement results to other colleges. There are still options for Distance Ed and online students who want to take their COC assessments at another college and transfer the results back here. In addition, students who are not planning to come to College of the Canyons can arrange with our Assessment Center staff to proctor the tests using the account information of the transfer school. Please contact the Assessment Coordinator for information.

College of the Canyons subscribes to the NCTA Professional Standards and Guidelines.