Purpose of Assessment

Skills Assessment is required as part of the entrance process into Maryland colleges. Assessment is a process to help identify your current skills in writing, reading, and mathematics. It is not a test that you pass or fail. Placement testing provides information necessary to make the best decision about the initial courses that you need to begin your college career. Our goal is to place you into the courses in which you will be most successful. Based on your test results, you may be placed in preparatory courses to help you build the foundation skills that are needed for success at the college level.

You must take the Placement Assessment:

• If you are seeking a degree or certificate
• If you are a special student attempting your first college level English composition or math course or are enrolled in a course that has a math or English prerequisite

You are exempt:

1. From all placement assessments, if you already have a college degree. However, if you are enrolled in a program that requires mathematics, you are encouraged to take the mathematics assessment.
2. From all placement assessments, if you are enrolled at another college or university and are taking HCC courses to transfer to that institution. Proof of current enrollment at your home institution is required (valid college ID, copy of grades, or letter from college official) at the time of registration.
3. From the math placement assessment if you have a SAT math score of 550 or better, or an ACT math score of 21 or better,* or if you have passed a college level math course+.
4. From the reading and English placement assessment if you have a SAT verbal score of 550 or better, or an ACT verbal score of 21 or better,* or if you have passed a college level English composition course.+

*If your exemption (partial or total) is based on your SAT or ACT scores, you must forward your test results to the Office of Enrollment Services before registering for courses. If your test scores are older than five years, you must take the placement assessment.

+If your exemption is based on successful completion of a college level math or English composition course, official college transcripts must be sent to the Office of Enrollment Services.