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To ensure appropriate placement in college courses and proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics, all entering students are required to take the College’s Placement Test or submit documentation to show that they are exempt from placement testing. Non-native speakers of English entering the English Language Studies program must take the ELS Placement Test to determine their level of English language proficiency. Students are invited to take the test after they apply. There is no fee for these tests, and the results are available prior to registration. An advisor will explain the placement and assist students in registering for appropriate courses.
Passaic County Community College administers the ACCUPLACER, an online, computerized placement test. It contains a timed writing portion, and four untimed assessments (English, Reading, Arithmetic Computation, and Algebra). To improve test preparation and performance, we highly recommend that students practice for the test by reviewing the ACCUPLACER study guides. Research shows that students who practice for the test are more likely to improve their performance and test results.
Placement Testing is offered at the Paterson, Passaic, and Wanaque campuses. A photo ID must be presented on the student’s test day. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver’s license, military ID, passport, high school photo ID if a recent graduate, other official government-issued ID, or a PCCC student ID.
Exemptions
Transfer students may be exempt from placement testing if they have successfully taken College-level English and Math. Transfer students must have official transcripts sent directly to the PCCC Office of Admissions for a transfer credit evaluation by using the National Student Clearinghouse.
Students who have graduated from high school within the past 3 years can submit official transcripts. PCCC will review the classes taken and grades earned, and in lieu of testing will determine appropriate placements. Students are still eligible to take the placement test to challenge and improve these results. Students can request that their transcript from their high school be sent to PCCC Office Admissions, 1 College Boulevard, Paterson, NJ 07505.
SAT Scores: High school students who have achieved a score of 450 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section of the SAT within the past 5 years will be placed at College level for English. Students who achieved a 500 on the Math section of the SAT within the past 5 years will be placed at College level for Math. Students must submit official SAT results from the College Board to the PCCC Office of Admissions.
ACT Scores: Students who achieved a 22 in the Math section of the ACT within the past 5 years will be placed at College level for Math. Students who achieved a 22 in the reading section and an 18 in the English section within the past 5 years will be placed in College level English. Official ACT scores must be submitted to the PCCC Office of Admissions.
