Why Must I Take College Placement Tests?

A Few Words About the Tests

Waiver of College Placement Tests

Sample Test Questions

NCCC’S Policy For Retesting And Placement

Accommodations For Students With Disabilities

Procedure For Taking College Placement Tests

In order to help make your experience at Niagara County Community College a successful one, scores from both the COMPASS and ACCUPLACER tests are used to predict your readiness for college-level coursework. The results of these tests determine appropriate courses for you to take in your first semester to promote your success.

Please Note: Students who score below college-level are required to take non-credit foundation class(es) in their first semester to promote their future success in college.

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NCCC uses a combination of two testing instruments (COMPASS and ACCUPLACER) to determine a student’s placement in the academic areas of math, reading, and writing.

COMPASS and ACCUPLACER are computer-based, adaptive tests that measure your abilities in math, reading, and writing. The tests are very “user friendly”; experience with computers is not necessary. There are no time limits imposed on students during these tests; you should plan on scheduling approximately three (3) hours for your test appointment.

Students may self select certain Foundations Courses in lieu of Placement Testing, with the exception of the Reading test. Please call 614-6728 for further information.

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One or more of the College Placement Tests may be waived for applicants who meet any of the following criteria:

• Any/All:

— Successful completion of college-level courses in English or Math (Requires Transcript)

OR

— Successful completion of NCCC's Academic Foundation courses (AAC 042, MAT 004, ENG 099)

OR

— Valid test scores (less than 3 years old) on NCCC's College Placement Tests

OR

— Completion of COMPASS tests at another institution (Requires Score Report)


• Writing/Reading:

— Score of 77 or higher on N.Y. State Regents Exam for English 11


• Reading:

— SAT Verbal score of 500 or higher

OR

— ACT Reading score of 23 or higher


• Math:

— Score of 75 or higher on N.Y. State Regents Exam for Math A

OR

— Score of 65 or higher on NY State Regents Exam for Sequence III Math or Math B

OR

— SAT Math score of 500 or higher

OR

— ACT Math score of 20 or higher

Transfer students should send prior school transcripts to the Admissions Office. Please note NCCC does not exempt students from placement tests based on scores of other testing instruments or academic foundations coursework from a transfer school. Such students must demonstrate competency by passing equivalent college credit courses or NCCC's tests.

The Admissions Office or Testing Center staff can give you additional information about these policies.

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Additional sample test questions may be found at http://www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html.

Answers to sample questions are located at the bottom of this page.

MATH:

NOTE: Students may choose either Pre-algebra/Numerical Skills OR Elementary Algebra to complete their testing requirement in Math.

Pre-algebra/Numerical Skills

READING:

Additional sample test questions may be found at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/accuplacer/index.html.

The ACCUPLACER placement reading test has 20 questions. There are two types of questions:

The first type consists of a reading passage followed by a question based on the text.

Example 1:

In the words of Thomas DeQuincey, “It is notorious that the memory strengthens as you lay burdens upon it.” If, like most people, you have trouble recalling the names of those you have just met, try this: The next time you are introduced, plan to remember the names. Say to yourself, “I’ll listen carefully; I’ll repeat each person’s name to be sure I’ve got it, and I will remember.” You’ll discover how effective this technique is and probably recall those names for the rest of your life.

Example 2:

All water molecules form six-sided structures as they freeze and become snow crystals. The shape of the crystal is determined by temperature, vapor, and wind conditions in the upper atmosphere. Snow crystals are always symmetrical because these conditions affect all six sides simultaneously.

The second type of questions presents two sentences followed by a question about the relationship between those two sentences.

Example 3:

The Midwest is experiencing its worst drought in 15 years. Corn and soybean prices are expected to be very high this year.

Example 4:

Social studies classes focus on the complexity of our social environment. The subject combines the history and the social sciences and promotes skills in citizenship.

SAMPLE ESSAY - WRITING:

The WritePlacer Test is a direct measure of writing skills. You are asked to provide a writing sample in response to a specific prompt provided. The assessment measures writing skills at the level expected of an entering college student.

You will be asked to prepare a multiple-paragraph writing sample of about 300-600 words on a given topic. You should use the time available to plan, write, review, and edit what you have written. Read the assignment carefully before you begin to write.

Your writing sample will be scored on the basis of how effectively it communicates a whole message to the readers for the stated purpose. Your score will based on your ability to express, organize, and support your opinions and ideas, not the position you take on the essay topic. The following five characteristics of writing will be considered:

• Focus - The clarity with which you maintain your main idea or point of view.
• Organization - The clarity with which you structure your response and present a logical sequence of ideas.
• Development and Support - The extent to which you elaborate on your ideas and the extent to which you present supporting details. The writer should not totally rely on generalizations.
• Mechanical Conventions - The effectiveness of your sentence structure and the extent to which your writing is free of errors in usage and mechanics. The writer should avoid run-on sentences, fragments, and punctuation errors.

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It's important to understand that NCCC has chosen placement tests that are highly reliable. Most students who retest receive similar scores on their second test. However, we understand that there are sometimes valid reasons to request a retest. Students may retest ONLY ONCE prior to the end of Add/Drop. A second appointment and testing fee are required.

Students who do not meet the minimum level will be required to enroll in the appropriate Academic Foundation course(s) in their first semester.

Please note: All students enrolled in the Math Literacy Workshop (MAT 004) are retested on the first day of class. Students who pass the class retest will have met the College Math Academic Foundations requirement. Students who miss the first day of class in MAT 004 or who fail to retest must successfully complete MAT 004 to meet the College’s Math Academic Foundations Requirement. Calculators are NOT permitted for use on the class retest.

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Placement tests are untimed and all students have access to a calculator. Students with disabilities who may require additional accommodations (ex. scribe, tests on tape, etc.) are required to contact the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities at 614-6285 PRIOR to making an appointment for testing. Appropriate documentation (ex. Psychological Evaluation & Individualized Education Plan) must be provided to the Coordinator in a timely manner to receive accommodations.

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Taking the College Placement Tests is actually the fourth step in the process of enrolling as a student at Niagara County Community College. In an effort to help you understand that process more fully, and to show how College Placement Testing fits into it, the steps you must follow to enroll as a student at NCCC are enumerated below. You may wish to use this information as a checklist as you move through the process.

1. File an application for admission to NCCC. (This may be done in person at the Admissions Office or through your guidance counselor. Also, applications can be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to the College).
2. Request that official copies of high school and/or college transcripts be sent to the Admissions Office at NCCC. (This is necessary in order to determine which of the three College Placement Tests will be required of you.)
3. Call 614-6728 to make an appointment for your College Placement Tests. (This should be done within two weeks of filing your application for admission to NCCC.)
4. At the appointed time and date, report to Room A167 to take the College Placement Tests that are required of you. (Photo identification and the $12.00 testing fee are required at the time of testing.)
5. File applications for Financial Aid and complete all necessary follow up to that process.
6. Submit proof of immunizations to the Wellness Center.
7. Report for program advisement and course registration as indicated by Student Development.

The Testing Center’s hours of operation vary throughout the semester.

• Call 614-6728 to make an appointment for your college placement tests.
• Report to Testing Center, Room A167.
• Allow sufficient time to complete the tests that are required of you (approximately 2-3 hours).
• Due to the quiet nature of the testing environment and confidentiality concerns, anyone accompanying you will be asked to wait in the main lobby.
• Bring $12.00 testing fee and photo identification with you to your appointment. A non-graphing calculator will be provided.
• The Testing Center reserves the right to reschedule students who do not follow these steps.

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