Placement Testing
Placement Testing Process
Important Information
- Seating is limited. Please call at your earliest convenience to schedule an appointment.
- Allow two hours for each test (Math and English).
- A student cannot test on the same day that a testing appointment is scheduled.
- Placement test scores are recognized for a period of ten years.
- To take the placement test, students must show picture identification, such as a driver’s license.
Testing Accommodations
Applicants requiring special testing accommodations due to a disability must notify the Office of Disability, Inclusion, & Diversity 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. Students enrolling in any distance learning activity should contact the Student Services Office at 336-838-6135 for further information.
Exemptions from Placement Testing
WCC students will be evaluated and placed into gateway English and Math course(s) based on the following criteria:
- Graduated from a US High School with a valid High School GPA, or
- Has earned developmental course credit, or has successfully completed a college-level English or Math course, or
- Has completed an eligible placement test within the last 10 years, or
- Has earned an Associate or Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Limited admission programs may be excluded from this exemption. Please speak with your limited admission advisor.
Graduated from a US High School
Students who have graduated from a US High School with a valid High School GPA will be placed into gateway English and Math courses using the following unweighted high school GPA ranges:
- 0.0 – 2.199: Must successfully complete a Transition English or Transition Math course prior to enrolling into gateway English or Math courses.
- 2.2 – 2.799: May register for any gateway English or Math course and be required to take the corresponding co-requisite course.
- 2.8 or higher: May register for any gateway English or Math course.
Students whose High School GPA is more than 10 years prior to the enrollment term can request a placement test if the placement test would benefit the student’s placement.
Transferable College-Level Coursework
Students who have completed transferable college-level coursework in English and Math with a grade of C or better will be exempt from testing. Students who have successfully completed developmental or transferable college coursework in English and Math may be exempt from testing.
Students must meet the prerequisites for all courses that will be taken at WCC, which may involve selected placement testing if the previous coursework does not clearly include prerequisite courses.
| ENG/RED/MATH | DRE/DMA | RISE | Course Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 070 & RED 070 or ENG 075 | DRE 096 | ENG 002 or BSP 4002 | |
| ENG 080 & RED 080 or ENG 085 | DRE 097 | ENG 002, grade of P1 | ENG 111 + ENG 011 |
| ENG 090 & RED 090 or ENG 095 | DRE 098 | ENG 002, grade of P2 | ENG 111 only |
| MAT 060 | MAT 050 – DMA 030 | MAT 003, grade of P1 | MAT 110 |
| MAT 060 ENG 080 & RED 080 or ENG 085 |
MAT 050 – DMA 030 DRE 097 |
MAT 003, grade of P1 ENG 002, grade of P1 |
MAT 143 + MAT 043; MAT 152 + MAT 052 |
| MAT 070 ENG 080 & RED 080 or ENG 085* |
MAT 050 – DMA 050 DRE 097* |
MAT 003, grade of P2 ENG 002, grade of P1* |
MAT 143; MAT 152 MAT 171 + MAT 071; MAT 121 + MAT 021 |
| MAT 080 ENG 080 & RED 080 or ENG 085* |
MAT 050 – DMA 080 DRE 097* |
MAT 003, grade of P3 ENG 002, grade of P1* |
Any Gateway Math without a RISE Co-Requisite |
* Please note that the English requirement only pertains to MAT 143 and MAT 152.
Eligible Placement Tests
Under the RISE guidelines, eligible placement tests are valid for 10 years.
| Date of Test | Test | Passing Score | Course Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-December 2011 | Reading OR Writing | 510 or higher | Gateway English without a RISE Co-Requisite |
| Math | 510 or higher | Gateway Math without a RISE Co-Requisite | |
| January 2012 – February 2016 | Critical Reading OR English | 500 or higher | Gateway English without a RISE Co-Requisite |
| Math | 500 or higher | Gateway Math without a RISE Co-Requisite | |
| March 2016 – Present | Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 480 or higher | Gateway English without a RISE Co-Requisite |
| Math | 530 or higher | Gateway Math without a RISE Co-Requisite |
| Date of Test | Test | Passing Score | Course Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-December 2011 | Reading OR English | 22 or higher | Gateway English without a RISE Co-Requisite |
| Math | 22 or higher | Gateway Math without a RISE Co-Requisite | |
| January 2012 – February 2014 | Reading OR | 21 or higher | Gateway English without a RISE Co-Requisite |
| English | 18 or higher | ||
| Math | 22 or higher | Gateway Math without a RISE Co-Requisite | |
| March 2014 – Present | Reading OR | 20 – 21 | ENG 111 + ENG 011 |
| 22 or higher | ENG 111 only | ||
| English | 16 – 17 | ENG 111 + ENG 011 | |
| 18 or higher | ENG 111 only | ||
| Math | 20 – 21 | Any Gateway Math with a RISE Co-Requisite | |
| 22 or higher | Any Gateway Math without a RISE Co-Requisite |
| Test | Validity Date | Passing Score | Course Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Reasoning Reading through Language Arts Social Studies Science |
January 1, 2014 to present | 165 or higher on ALL tests | Gateway Math and English without a RISE Co-Requisite |
| 145 – 164 on ALL tests | Gateway Math and English with a RISE Co-Requisite |
| Test | Validity Date | Passing Score | Course Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Arts – Reading Language Arts – Writing Essay Mathematics Science Social Studies |
January 1, 2014 to present | 15 or higher on ALL subject tests, with a minimum of 4 on the Essay | Gateway Math and English without a RISE Co-Requisite |
| Test | Validity Date | Passing Score | Course Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| RISE English Tier 1 | October 1, 2018 to present | 70 or higher | ENG 111 + ENG 011 |
| RISE English Tier 2 | October 1, 2018 to present | 70 or higher | ENG 111 only |
| RISE Math Tier 1 | October 1, 2018 to present | 70 or higher | MAT 110 |
| RISE Math Tier 1 + English Tier 1 | October 1, 2018 to present | 70 or higher | MAT 143 + MAT 043; MAT 152 + MAT 052 |
| RISE Math Tier 2 + English Tier 1 | October 1, 2018 to present | 70 or higher | MAT 143; MAT 152 |
| RISE Math Tier 2 | October 1, 2018 to present | 70 or higher | MAT 171 + MAT 071; MAT 121 + MAT 021 |
| RISE Math Tier 3 RISE English Tier 1* | October 1, 2018 to present | 70 or higher | Any Gateway Math without a RISE Co-Requisite |
* Please note that the English requirement only pertains to MAT 143 and MAT 152.
| Test | Passing Score | Course Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| CCRG English Tier 1 | 80 or higher | ENG 111 + ENG 011 |
| CCRG English Tier 2 | 80 or higher | ENG 111 only |
| CCRG Math Tier 1 | 80 or higher | MAT 110 |
| CCRG Math Tier 1 + English Tier 1 | 80 or higher | MAT 143 + MAT 043; MAT 152 + MAT 052 |
| CCRG Math Tier 2 + English Tier 1 | 80 or higher | MAT 143; MAT 152 |
| CCRG Math Tier 2 | 80 or higher | MAT 171 + MAT 071; MAT 121 + MAT 021 |
| CCRG Math Tier 3 CCRG English Tier 1* |
80 or higher | Any Gateway Math without a RISE Co-Requisite |
* Please note that the English requirement only pertains to MAT 143 and MAT 152.
Associate or Bachelor’s Degree
RISE transition courses and co-requisite requirements are met if a student has earned an Associate or Bachelor’s degree from an institution from which WCC accepts credits.
Questions?
For more information, contact:
Admissions and Placement Testing Coordinator
Phone: 336-838-6135
Fax: 336-903-3210
wsshore876@wilkescc.edu
Test Preparation
Wilkes Community College is happy to offer students the P4P Program to support students preparing to take the WCC placement test.
P4P is held in the Academic Support Center, located on the third floor of Thompson Hall (building 3 on the campus map). Students can book appointments to tutor in math and/or reading and English with Academic Support Center mentors. Students can call 336-838-6566 to schedule a P4P appointment.
Retesting
You are allowed to attempt exemption from a transition or co-requisite course only one time per subject within a 10-year period. In order to retake the placement test, you must complete the following steps:
- Obtain a permission form from the Student Services Office.
- Pay the non-refundable $10.00 fee at the front desk of Student Services, located in Alumni Hall, if you are paying with cash or check. If you are paying with a debit/credit card you will need to pay in the Business Office located in Thompson Hall.
- You must pay at least 24 hours prior to the date you wish to test.
You must bring the retesting form and a picture ID in order to be admitted into the retesting session. You will not be allowed to retest without these two documents. The highest scores will be used for enrollment purposes.
Retesting Dates
To schedule a retest, contact:
Records & Registration Technician
Phone: 336-838-6137
Fax: 336-903-3213
cgcore955@wilkescc.edu
Rescheduling
If you cannot attend your scheduled session, you must call 336-838-6137 at least 24 hours in advance to reschedule. If you reschedule in advance, you may transfer your payment to another date. Transfer of payment will not be issued for late cancellations, late arrivals, or no shows. If you miss your session, you must pay $10.00 to schedule another session.
Request Test Scores
Please complete the Request for Test Scores Form and email to wsshore876@wilkescc.edu to have your placement test scores sent to another institution.