Placement Testing
Northampton Community College

Placement Testing at NCC

Prior to a student enrolling in courses at NCC, placement in English and/or Mathematics must first be determined. Course requirements in English and Mathematics may vary depending on a student’s program of study (major).

 

Refer to your major's program map to determine which specific math course(s) you will need to complete. To access your program map:

  1. Open the Programs and Majors list.
  2. Click on your program.
  3. Open the downloadable program map. It is listed on each program's webpage.
  4. Connect with your Academic Advisor if you have any questions. 

NCC may use multiple methods to determine placement. Details for the placement policy and guidelines can be found in the College Catalog.

 

Detailed eligibility requirements for NCC English and Math courses are listed below. This will help students understand if they need to take an NCC Placement Test or not.

 

Students who need to take a Placement Test can refer to the FAQ at the bottom of this page for instructions. 



Do I need to take an English Placement Test?

In order to be eligible to register for ENGL101 (English I), students need to meet at least ONE of the following requirements:

  • high school GPA of 3.0 or higher in a college prep curriculum, if completed within 5 years prior to enrolling at NCC
  • OR complete ACLS050 or an equivalent course
  • OR 560 or higher on SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing exam (tested March 2016 or later)
  • OR 500 or higher on SAT Evidence-Based Writing and Critical Reading exam (tested between 2005 and March 2016)
  • OR 3 or higher on AP Exam for English Language & Composition
  • OR 21 or higher on ACT English Exam
  • OR 50 or higher on CLEP Exam for College Composition Modular or College Composition
  • OR 79 or higher on TOEFL iBT AND 100 or higher on the Duolingo English Test
  • OR 6.5 or higher on the IELTS AND 100 or higher on the Duolingo English Test
  • OR complete Proficiency in English as a Second Language Specialized Diploma
  • OR complete ESL Program Portfolio
  • OR take the NCC English Placement Test to determine appropriate placement. Students who need to take a Placement Test can refer to the FAQ at the bottom of this page for instructions.

Do I need to take a Math Placement Test?

There are no eligibility requirements for MATH103 (Technical Mathematics). You do not need to take a placement test to register for this course.

This course is an option for only certain majors and won't count toward the math requirement for most majors.

The following courses share the same eligibility requirements:

  • MATH118 - Foundations of Mathematics I
  • MATH119 - Foundations of Mathematics II
  • MATH120 - Nature of Mathematics
  • MATH150 - Introductory Statistics
In order to be eligible to register for one of these courses, students need to meet at least ONE of the following requirements:
  • Complete MATH022 or be in the process of completing MATH022 (some students may need to complete MATH020 prior to MATH022)
  • OR complete high school Algebra II with a B, if completed within 5 years prior to enrolling at NCC
  • OR complete high school Algebra III with a C, if completed within 5 years prior to enrolling at NCC
  • OR 530 or higher on SAT Math section (tested in March 2016 or later)
  • OR 500 or higher on SAT Math section (tested before March 2016)
  • OR take the NCC Math Placement Test to determine appropriate placement. Students who need to take a Placement Test can refer to the FAQ at the bottom of this page for instructions.

In order to be eligible to register for MATH140 (College Algebra), students need to meet at least ONE of the following requirements:

  • Complete MATH026 or be in the process of completing MATH026 (some students may need to complete MATH022/MATH020 prior to MATH026)
  • OR high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and high school Algebra III with a B , if completed within 5 years prior to enrolling at NCC
  • OR high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and high school Pre-Calculus with a C, if completed within 5 years prior to enrolling at NCC
  • OR high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and high school Algebra III/Trig with a C, if completed within 5 years prior to enrolling at NCC
  • OR 530 or higher on SAT Math section (tested in March 2016 or later)
  • OR 500 or higher on SAT Math section (tested before March 2016)
  • OR take the NCC Math Placement Test to determine appropriate placement. Students who need to take a Placement Test can refer to the FAQ at the bottom of this page for instructions.

The following courses share the same eligibility requirements:

  • MATH145 - Trigonometry
  • MATH160 - Pre-Calculus

In order to be eligible to register for one of these courses, students need to meet at least ONE of the following requirements:

  • Complete MATH140 or be in the process of completing MATH140
  • OR high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and high school Algebra III/Trig with a B, if completed within 5 years prior to enrolling at NCC
  • OR high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and high school Calculus I with a C, if completed within 5 years prior to enrolling at NCC
  • OR transfer in the equivalent of MATH140 from another college
  • OR 50 or higher on College Algebra CLEP Exam
  • OR take the NCC Math Placement Test to determine appropriate placement. Students who need to take a Placement Test can refer to the FAQ at the bottom of this page for instructions.

In order to be eligible to register for MATH180 (Calculus I), students need to meet at least ONE of the following requirements:

  • Complete MATH145 OR be in the process of completing MATH145
  • OR complete MATH160 OR be in the process of completing MATH160
  • OR high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and high school Calculus I with a B, if completed within 5 years prior to enrolling at NCC
  • OR transfer in the equivalent of MATH145 from another college
  • OR transfer in the equivalent of MATH160 from another college
  • OR 50 or higher on Pre-calculus CLEP Exam
  • OR take the NCC Math Placement Test to determine appropriate placement. Students who need to take a Placement Test can refer to the FAQ at the bottom of this page for instructions.

The following courses share the same eligibility requirements:

  • MATH181 - Calculus II
  • MATH202 - Discrete Math

In order to be eligible to register for one of these courses, students need to meet at least ONE of the following requirements:

  • Complete MATH180 OR be in the process of completing MATH180
  • OR 4 or higher on AP Exam for Calculus AB
  • OR 50 or higher on Calculus CLEP Exam
  • OR transfer in the equivalent of MATH180 from another college
  • Students must complete one of these requirements before being eligible to register. Students cannot meet eligibility for these courses based solely on the NCC Math Placement Test.

In order to be eligible to register for MATH210 (Calculus III), students need to meet at least ONE of the following requirements:

  • Complete MATH181 OR be in the process of completing MATH181
  • OR transfer in the equivalent of MATH181 from another college

Students must complete one of these requirements before being eligible to register. Students cannot meet eligibility for these courses based solely on the NCC Math Placement Test.

In order to be eligible to register for MATH211 (Differential Equations), students need to meet at least ONE of the following requirements:

  • Complete MATH210 OR be in the process of completing MATH210
  • OR transfer in the equivalent of MATH210 from another college

Students must complete one of these requirements before being eligible to register. Students cannot meet eligibility for these courses based solely on the NCC Math Placement Test.

Placement Testing FAQ

NCC uses the CollegeBoard Accuplacer test for English and Mathematics testing. Accuplacer tests are standardized placement tests that are not timed. The English test consists of reading and writing sections and typically takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes to complete. The mathematics test features questions on arithmetic, elementary algebra and college-level mathematics. Students typically complete the mathematics test in approximately 30 to 60 minutes. When students are required to take both the English and mathematics tests it is recommended that they take the tests on separate days.

Placement Testing is available on site at the Bethlehem Campus and Pocono Campus. RSVP for on-site testing is not necessary. Students may report for testing during the hours below.

  • Mondays through Thursdays, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Fridays: Closed during the summer

 

Students should report to College Center Room 341 for the Bethlehem Campus and Keystone Hall Room 103 for the Pocono Campus.

Placement Testing is also available remotely proctored through Zoom video conferencing.

Students may sign up for a remotely proctored placement test by completing the sign-up form below. An NCC representative will then follow up to confirm the test date/time and provide instructions on how to log in for the remotely proctored placement test.

  • Testers need to be accepted to NCC and have a student ID#, which is included with their acceptance information.
  • Testers need to access their NCC email account to receive testing confirmation and instructions.
  • Testers will need a computer and webcam that can support Accuplacer and Zoom.
  • Check that your computer can support and run Accuplacer. Visit Accuplacer.org and then click "Verify System" at the bottom of the webpage.
  • Download and install Zoom Client for Meetings.
  • Test that Zoom is installed and working correctly.
  • If a Chromebook is the only option testers have for testing, a separate download will be necessary. Testers should note on their sign-up request form that they will need to use a Chromebook for testing.

Yes, students may retest one time before taking any developmental courses. Students who start developmental courses are not eligible to retest.

Although no preparation is required for the English or Mathematics placement tests, there are sample placement test questions available for practice. Students may access sample questions by visiting the College Board Accuplacer website at the following link.

Students must bring a form of photo identification.

An on-screen calculator is available for math test items that require calculation. It is not necessary for students to bring a calculator.

Click here for more information about this.

Placement Testing Hours & Location

Monday - Thursday: 9AM - 4PM

Friday: 9AM - 1PM

Bethlehem Campus: College Center 341

Pocono Campus: Keystone Hall 103

You do not need to sign up for on-campus testing. If you are unable to test in-person during the hours listed above, request remote testing.

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Northampton Community College

Northampton Community College
3835 Green Pond Road
Bethlehem PA 18020
610.861.5300

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