Placement Testing

Placement Testing Process

Step 1: Submit an Admission Application

An admission application must be submitted prior to scheduling the placement test.

Step 2: Study and Prepare for the Placement Test

Preparing for the placement test may reduce or eliminate the need for transition or co-requisite work, which can save time and money. Resources are available in the Test Preparation tab.

Step 3: Schedule an Appointment

    To schedule an appointment, contact:

    Image of Cindy Core
    Cindy Core, AAS
    Records & Registration Technician
    Phone: 336-838-6137
    Fax: 336-903-3213
    cgcore955@wilkescc.edu

    Check in for the placement test in the Student Services Office, located in Window World Hall (building 1 on the campus map).

    Testing appointments are available on the following dates and times:

    • Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

    • Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

    • Thursday: 8:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.

    Image of Amber Holliday
    Amber Holliday, BS
    Administrative Assistant - Ashe Campus & Workforce Development and Community Education
    Phone: 336-903-3115
    asholliday860@wilkescc.edu

    Image of Sabrienna Edwards
    Sabrienna Edwards, AAS
    Administrative Assistant/Bookstore Assistant
    Phone: 336-903-3140
    Fax: 336-903-3207
    saedwards404@wilkescc.edu

    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

    Click here to request your official SAT scores be sent to WCC.