Course Placement Options

Multiple Measures

Placement testing may be waived for students who meet other measures of placement. These measures include:

  • TRANSFER CREDIT: The student has completed previous college-level English and math courses that have been accepted for transfer credit.
  • Students that have completed an accredited Bachelor’s degree may be eligible for direct placement into ENG 101 even if they have not taken a transferable ENG 101 course.
  • GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL GPA: Graduated high school students may be eligible for placement based on their final GPA. MWCC utilizes an “expanded measures” practice to place students into math and English coursework.
  • HISET: Students with a HiSET Mathematics score of 15 or higher from within the past five years do not need to sit for math sections of the placement test. Students with a HiSET Reading and Writing scores of 15 or higher from within the past ten years do not need to sit for the English sections of the placement test.
  • GED: Students with a GED Mathematical Reasoning score of 165 or higher from within the past five years do not need to sit for math sections of the placement test. Students with a GED English Language Arts score of 165 or higher from 2014 or later do not need to sit for the English sections of the placement test.
  • SAT/ACT: Students with an SAT Reading and Writing score of 600 or higher or an ACT English Language score of 22 or higher from within the last three years do not need to sit for the English sections of the placement test. Students with an SAT Math score of 500 or higher from within the past three years do not need to sit for the Math sections of the placement test.
  • PSAT: Students with an Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 570 or higher do not need to sit for the English sections of the placement test. Students with a Math score of 570 or higher do not need to sit for the Math sections of the placement test.

Guided Self-Placement

Students who do not meet any of the outlined multiple measures, or who do not feel that any of the outlined multiple measures accurately place them into coursework, may elect to take guided self-placement surveys for English, mathematics, or both. Please speak with your advisor or enrollment staff about this option.

College Placement Test

The College Placement Test by Accuplacer is used to determine proficiency in reading, writing, and math when no other placement option is appropriate.

Students must complete all required sections of the Accuplacer no more than three years prior to the start of their desired terms, regardless of their desired course or program. The results are used by to place a student in appropriate courses. The scores are valid for a period of three years.

Students whose skills in these areas are not college level are placed in either foundation and/or English as a Second Language courses, as appropriate. The reading, writing, and mathematics tests are computerized and may be repeated once for a $10 retest fee. Permission for a third attempt, with a $10 retest fee, may be granted under special circumstances. Students requesting a third or more test attempt must meet with the Director of Academic Support and Testing Services for a discussion about their options. Students who do not earn a satisfactory grade in a foundation course cannot retest to place into a higher level course within the discipline unless they are being re-admitted to the college or have approval from the Division Dean.

Information about the content of the College Placement Test and how to review before taking it can be found on the Testing Services webpage. Students may also call 978-630-9244 for this information. Students with a documented disability who need an accommodation should contact the Coordinator of Disability Services at 978-630-9330 before scheduling a placement test.

ESL Placement Test

The ESL Placement Test by Accuplacer is used to determine students' level of proficient in reading, writing, and language use. The results are used to place a student in appropriate courses. The scores are valid for a period of three years. Students may place into either credit or non-credit level courses. The test is computerized and may be repeated once. Permission for a third attempt may be granted under special circumstances. Students requesting a third or more test attempt must meet with the Director of Academic Support and Testing Services for a discussion about their options. There is no fee associated with any attempt of the ESL Placement test.

Information about the content of the ESL Placement Test and how to review before taking it can be found on the Testing Services webpage. Students may also call 978-630-9244 for this information. Students with a documented disability who need an accommodation should contact the Coordinator of Disability Services at 978-630-9330 before scheduling a placement test.