Placement Testing

Applicants to any program of study (degree, diploma, or certificate), as well as CCPP high school students, are required to demonstrate competence in English, mathematics, and computer skills. Competence can be demonstrated in one of three ways:

1. Multiple Measures Placement Policy (MMPP): A recent high school graduate (within five years of enrollment) who meets the specified GPA benchmark (a unweighted GPA greater than or equal to 2.6) and who completed four high school math courses, as noted below, will be exempt from the diagnostic placement testing and will be considered “college ready” for gateway Math and English courses.
   
   The “college ready” students are considered ready for any gateway Math or English course with a DMA/DRE prerequisite. The College may require students to take a supplemental math or English lab as a co-requisite.
   
   Required high school math courses: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, (or the common core equivalents) and a 4^th math (Advanced Functions and Modeling, Analytical Geometry, AP Statistics, Calculus, AP Calculus, Honors Calculus, Discrete Mathematics, Integrated Mathematics IV, International Baccalaureate Mathematics, Mindset, Pre-Calculus, probability and Statistics, or Trigonometry).
   • Currently enrolled high school students who apply to the College before graduating from high school will be initially evaluated on the high school GPA at the end of the first semester of 12^th grade.
   • If students have taken math courses at the community college level in the Career and College Promise Program, the following courses can be counted as the 4^th math: MAT 143, MAT 151, MAT 152, MAT 155, MAT 161, MAT 162, MAT 165, MAT 167, MAT 171, MAT 172, MAT 175, or any 200-level college math.
2. If a recent high school graduate (within five years of enrollment) does not meet the GPA benchmark or has not completed the four math courses but has taken the ACT or SAT test in the past five years, the college may use specified ACT or SAT subject area test scores to determine placement.
   • English - ACT Reading 22 OR ACT English 18 / SAT Writing 500 OR Critical Reading 500
   • Mathematics - ACT Math 22 / SAT Math 500
3. If an applicant does not meet either one of the criteria listed above in points 1 or 2, and has not taken a college placement test within the last five years, the college will administer computerized placement tests to determine college readiness. The tests administered will be the North Carolina Diagnostic and Placement Test (NC-DAP) for Math and English and a computer literacy test to assess each new student’s basic computer skills.
   
   Important Note: For non-high school student enrollment, placement test scores will be used to place students either into college level courses or into the proper developmental English, math and computer courses required as pre-requisites to the college level courses.

On the day of the test, please bring a photo ID. You may not use calculators, textbooks, protractors, notebooks or dictionaries during the test. Scratch paper and pencils will be provided. The college may disregard a test score if there is reason to question its validity.

At the end of the test the results will be printed. Please take the printout to your assigned advisor when scheduling classes.

If you require test accommodations due to a documented disability, please contact Kendric McDonald at 828-835-4226. Accommodations cannot be made without official documentation at the time of testing.  Students needing assistance with disability accommodations should contact Kendric McDonald at 828-835-4226 to receive a Request for Accommodations form.

For information regarding the testing hours on the Main Campus please call at (828) 837-6810. When you come to the Main campus for testing, please inquire at the Harper Help Desk for testing assistance.

For the Graham County Center testing hours call (828) 479-9256.

Tri-County is committed to the placement process. The process ensures that our students are initially placed into the classes best aligned with their initial knowledge and skill levels. The goal is to give each student the best possible start for their academic career. A solid foundation gives them the best opportunity for reaching their academic and professional goals.

Admission to the College does not imply immediate admission to the program desired by the applicant.

A student applying too late to complete pre-entrance requirements may be admitted as a provisional student. In such a case, all requirements must be completed in the first semester of attendance.