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Placement

General Information

  • Degree-seeking students less than 21 years of age will be assessed for Learning Support placement according to ACT/SAT or ACCUPLACER. An ACT score that is less than 19 in the subject areas of math and reading or less than 18 in English or high school GPA of less than 3.6 will require placement in Learning Support or further assessment.
  • Degree-seeking students 21 years of age or older (who are not required to submit ACT scores) may submit valid ACT/SAT scores and will be placed accordingly or may be required to complete assessment tests in reading, writing, and math.
  • Transfer students without college level English composition credit will be assessed in writing based on a valid ACT score or other appropriate assessment test.
  • Students without college level (exceeds the competencies assumed in high school algebra II) mathematics credit will be assessed in mathematics based on a valid ACT score or other appropriate assessment test.
  • Non-degree-seeking students without college level English composition will be assessed in writing prior to enrolling in college level English or any course with English as a prerequisite.
  • Non-degree-seeking students without college level mathematics credit will be assessed in mathematics prior to enrollment in college level math or any course with math as a prerequisite.
  • Students who change to degree-seeking status will be screened under guidelines for degree-seeking students.
  • Students entering with the GED credential must complete tests in reading, writing, and math, or they may present a valid ACT score.
  • International students may submit valid ACT/SAT scores then follow appropriate guidelines or must complete assessment in reading, writing, and math.
  • Students may challenge the scores by taking a Columbia State administered ACCUPLACER® placement test.
  • The challenge exam cannot be completed on the same day as the initial placement testing. Fees for challenging placement are the responsibility of the student. Placement will be based on the best scores from all valid placement instruments.
  • Once students begin classes in a Learning Support discipline, they are no longer eligible to challenge placement in that discipline unless the institution requires that they retest.
  • Students who test into one or more Learning Support course, musts also enroll in the college level co-requisite course.
  • Students who are eligible for LS courses may challenge their initial placement with the ACCUPLACER® twice with a minimum wait of two weeks between each challenge.