Placement Testing

Testing Requirements

Prior to enrollment at Wilkes Community College, placement testing is required for the following:

    1. All degree, diploma, and certificate seeking applicants whose program of study requires a reading, English and/or mathematics course.
    2. Applicants registering for a course that has a reading, English or mathematics prerequisite.

Applicants may go to the Student Services Office any time between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Wednesday; 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, or 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon on Friday to take the placement tests. No appointment is necessary. These hours are subject to change before, during and just after holidays and special events. Applicants wishing to take the placement tests must show a photo identification, such as a driver's license. These tests are computerized and are not timed. Students will be tested in reading, English and mathematics. Placement test scores are recognized for a period of five years.

Testing Preparation

Applicants wishing to prepare for the placement test can visit ACT's website to view sample items for the reading, writing, and/or mathematical tests. The website address is www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html .

Testing Accommodations

Applicants requiring special testing accommodations due to a disability must notify the Student Support Services Office at (336) 838-6560 and request appropriate accommodations be made ten working days prior to testing. Placement testing accommodations for applicants enrolling only in distance learning activities (telecourses, internet courses, teleconferences and cyber classroom) will be handled on an individual basis. Applicants enrolling in any distance learning activity should contact the Student Services Office at (336) 838-6145 for further information.

Exemptions

Exemptions to the placement testing policy are as follows:

    1. Applicants transferring from another institution who have successfully completed a transferable freshman English, reading, or mathematics course will be exempt from the placement test for the subject area upon application. However, students must meet the prerequisites for all courses taken at WCC, which may involve selected placement testing if the previous coursework does not clearly include prerequisite courses.
    2. Applicants who have earned an associate or higher degree from an accredited institution are exempt from placement testing upon application. However, students must meet the prerequisites for all courses taken at WCC, which may involve selected placement testing if the previous coursework does not clearly include prerequisite courses.
    3. Applicants who have a reading score of 480 or higher on the SAT or 19 or higher on the ACT are exempt from the reading placement test.
    4. Applicants who have a writing score of 480 or higher on the SAT or 19 or higher on the ACT are exempt from the writing placement test.
    5. Applicants who have a mathematics score of 520 or higher on the SAT or 22 or higher on the ACT are exempt from the mathematics placement test.

    SAT and ACT scores are recognized for five (5) years.

Applicants eligible to exempt one or more of the placement tests based on any of the above exemptions must provide the Student Services Office with official documentation (official copy of high school/college transcript and/or official copy of SAT/ACT scores from College Board) to be exempted from placement testing. Applicants who are exempt from placement tests must contact the Registrar's Office for advisor assignment.

The above exemptions do not apply to nursing, dental assisting, or respiratory therapy applicants.

Dental hygiene applicants who intend to take general studies courses at WCC and who plan to complete their degree at Catawba Valley Community College, must contact the CVCC Testing Center to schedule required placement tests. Test results must be mailed back to the Student Services Office at WCC.

Additional Information

For more information concerning the placement testing program, come by the Student Services Office on the first floor of the Student and Learning Resources Center, call (336) 838-6145 or email the Placement Testing Coordinator.