Placement testing may be required for new students who do not meet the GPA requirement. Test results are used to place new students into appropriate math, English, reading and ESL classes.
College Course Placement Using High School GPA
Students who satisfy the following high school GPA requirements are encouraged to use their overall, unweighted high school GPA instead of ACCUPLACER (including WritePlacer) placement exams. Unofficial transcripts, hand carried, can be used for course placement.
Unweighted GPA’s for students who attended high school within the past ten (10) years, will now be taken into consideration for course placement, as long as the unweighted GPA is 2.6 or higher. Students may be eligible to place directly into college level English, Reading and Math courses without taking the ACCUPLACER exams. Please talk to Testing Center Staff, Enrollment Services Staff or an Academic Advisor for more details.
Course Placement Using GPA, ACT/SAT or GED
Students can place into classes by using their High School GPA, ACT/SAT and GED scores. Submit your High School GPA, ACT, SAT, or GED scores to the Admissions office. The tests must have been completed no more than five years ago. Scores can be submitted here.
EdReady Initial Assessment and Additional Learning Modules
EdReady is a testing service providing math and English assessments without the hassle and cost of remedial classes. Whether you are applying for college or already a student, EdReady will allow you to test and improve your skills online. The more time you spend on the modules, the better the course placement. With a customized study path, Ed Ready will help you make sure you are ready to begin classes. Learn more about EdReady here.
ACCUPLACER Placement Testing
Unweighted High School GPA, less than ten years old, is now the primary method used for course placement.
If the High School GPA (either too old or less than 2.6) cannot be used for course placement, then ACCUPLACER placement tests will be used. Maricopa Colleges currently uses the ‘Next Generation’ version of ACCUPLACER. (WritePlacer, Reading Comprehension Next Generation, Arithmetic Next Generation, Quantitative Reasoning Next Generation and Advanced Algebra Next Generation).
Unweighted High School GPA cannot be used for ‘Reading Exempt’ or any math course higher than MAT187.
ACCUPLACER is an adaptive test used for course placement into English, reading and math courses. It is a computerized test with no time limit. The questions are chosen for you on the basis of your answers to previous questions. This adaptive technique selects just the right questions for your ability level.
- How long will it take?
- Since the test is untimed you can give each question as much thought as you wish. Individual sections average 30 minutes to an hour.
- When do I get my scores?
- The scores and recommended course placement are given to the student immediately upon test completion.
- How much does it cost?
- Placement testing is free for students applying to a Maricopa college. Students who are taking the test for another college will have to pay $25.
- Do I need an appointment?
- ACCUPLACER tests are on a walk in basis. Contact testing to confirm available hours.
- Where can I practice?
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We recommend that you review the ACCUPLACER sample questions before testing.
ACCUPLACER also has a web based app to guide you through practice tests.
Also take a look at these sites for additional practice:
Understanding the Retest Policy
You can only have three (3) non-expired test scores in the system within a 5-year time period. For example, if you took a placement test today, you could retest again tomorrow. But for the third test, you would need to wait for at least three months from the first placement test date. Placement test scores are then valid for five years. Placement test scores need to be valid on the first day of class.
New-to-college students should have their MMGPA (High School GPA) entered into their Student Center or plan on taking their ACCUPLACER placement tests prior to meeting with an Academic Advisor. Ask the advisors about our ‘Guided Pathways for Success-GPS’, ‘Fields of Interest’, ‘Career and Technical Certificates and Degrees’ and our ‘University Transfer Programs’. MCC Advisors will help you find the shortest pathway to your educational and career goals.
There is no charge to take a placement test if you are attending the Maricopa Colleges. There is a $25 proctor fee if you are testing for a college outside of the Maricopa District. It is also an option to set up a remote/virtual test voucher for students planning to attend Mesa College but live out of the local area.
Make this request via our department email address: testing@mesacc.edu