Going into the summer, I wanted to take a moment and provide an update to the campus community on our current placement testing policy, procedure and how students can be referred to our office.
Placement testing is recommended based on student academic transcripts when applying to the college. Students can be waived based on several criteria. For those who are not waived, the placement test consists of three (3) sections: reading comprehension, sentence skills and elementary algebra. For our incoming students who are not waived, placement testing should be a first step in the enrollment process.
The placement test is used with multiple measures to place students in courses that reflect their readiness for college-level course work. The placement test is offered in person for all students and remotely for students who live more than an hour from campus or those who are truly unable to get to campus.
Placement testing on campus is offered throughout the summer and into the fall on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The test will always begin at 9 a.m. to allow students enough time to complete all sections. Photo ID is required to test due to its potential connection with Financial Aid. Testing is held in GUN 132 next to the Registrar’s Office.
After a student is accepted, our office generates a testing letter that details how and when to sign up for the test. We have a registration system on our testing website, or students can sign up in person or over the phone. If a student needs to test remotely, we generate a voucher to be used with our third party provider, Examity.
Test results are printed and available for view by advisors in Banner almost immediately. We also generate acknowledgment forms that include test results and course recommendations based on the score range in each section of the test. Once a student has completed the placement test, they will be eligible to sign up for an orientation date and schedule an academic advisement appointment. Currently, students are recommended to complete the placement test BEFORE advisement, but protocol may vary among academic departments.
If you encounter any students needing a placement test, please refer them to our office at GUN 228. They also may reach us at (518) 629-7255 or testing@hvcc.edu.