ACCUPLACER Placement Testing
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT UPDATE:
Housatonic Community College is currently operating under special conditions due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Self-Reported GPA is being used as the primary placement indicator, regardless of graduation date. To report your GPA, we ask that you complete and submit the SUPPLEMENTAL PLACEMENT FORM by clicking on the link below.
If you cannot be placed by GPA, SAT, ACT, GED or previous Accuplacer placement test scores, please click below to schedule your placement test.
- What is an ACCUPLACER Placement Test?
- Who must take a Placement Test?
- Is there a fee for the test?
- Can I be exempt from testing?
- What if English is not my first language?
- Can I retake the placement test?
- How can I prepare for the test?
- How do I schedule a placement exam?
Click Here For The Bridges Accuplacer Sample Test
What is an ACCUPLACER Placement Test?
A placement test is required for all students who have not successfully completed college-level English and/or math classes. Placement testing helps identify your academic strengths and needs in math, English and reading. The test is not timed, but usually takes 1½ hours to complete. After testing you meet with an Academic Advisor, and the results are used to select appropriate courses based on your current level of ability. If special testing accommodations are required, contact the Testing Coordinator at (203) 332-5217.
Who must take a Placement Test?
- All new students enrolling in a degree or certificate program
- Transfer students who have not successfully completed an English composition and/or college-level math course with a grade of “C” or better
- Any student planning to take an English writing or math course
- Any student registering for a course with an English or math pre-requisite
- Any student taking English as a Second Language courses
- All High School Partnership applicants, home schooled students and high school students seeking early admission to college
Is there a fee for the test?
There is no fee for the test; however, new students must fill out an Application for Admissions form and get a student Banner ID number before testing.
Can I be exempt from testing?
The following students may not have to take a placement test:
- Students who have completed college-level English and/or math courses with a
grade of “C” or better (must provide transcripts). - Students with an Associate's Degree or higher (must provide transcripts).
- Students who have taken the ACCUPLACER exam at another college in the past 2 years (must provide documentation if tested outside the CT community college system).
- Students who took the SAT, ACT, or GED exam within the last two years and have met the minimum qualifying test scores listed below.
To be waived from testing, a copy of the SAT/ ACT/ GED test scores must be submitted to the Admissions office. Admissions email:
- SAT: 530 in Math Section; 25 in Reading Test
- ACT: 18 in Math, 37 in combined English and Reading
- GED: 165 in Mathematical Reasoning and/or Reasoning Language Arts (RLA)
What if English is not my first language?
There is a special ESL exam for students whose first language is not English. The ESL tests are Reading Skills, Sentence Meaning and Language Usage. The ESL tests will measure your language skills to see if you need additional help with the English language or if you are ready for regular college-level courses.
Can I retake the placement test?
Students who place into developmental courses may be eligible for FREE English and/or math refresher programs offered in the CAP. For more information, contact the CAP coordinator in A209 Lafayette Hall.
How can I prepare for the test?
It is recommended that you study before taking a placement test. Below are links to help you prepare:
Preparation Workshops
- Free ACCUPLACER workshops are held daily in the Center for Academic Progress (CAP) A209 Lafayette Hall. In the workshop, you will take a sample test in math and English which will help identify your areas of academic ability.
ACCUPLACER Website
- ACCUPLACER information and practice exams
Practice Tests
- Test Preview: Free ACCUPLACER practice tests and worksheets
- Varsity Tutor: Free practice tests, flashcards and questions of the day for all ACCUPLACER tests
Math Websites
English Websites
- My English Pages: Lessons and activities to practice grammar
- English Grammar: An online English textbook in a blog format with posts about many grammar topics
How do I schedule a placement exam?
Placement testing is free; however, you must have a student ID. Testing is scheduled regularly throughout the year. Test dates are constantly being updated. Please check back for future dates.
Please download our brochure for further information.
Updated February 15, 2017
