Skip to content

Placement Testing

First things first.

As you begin your academic journey, it’s important for us to learn about your math and English skills in order to help you select your classes. That's why most students will complete some form of course placement testing.

The placement tools CCBC uses for course placement allow us to understand what you know so we can help you find the right class for you.  Some tools can be taken more than one time, including those for math, English for high school students, and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL).  CCBC staff will assist students with information about retest options. 

Do I need to take placement tests?

In most cases, first-time certificate and degree-seeking credit students will need to take one or more placement tools to determine course placement.

Placement testing is required if you are a first-time college student and have any of the following scores:

  • High School GPA (Unweighted): Under 2.5.
  • SAT scores under 480 for reading/writing and under 530 for math.
  • ACT (Reading, writing, and math): Under 21.
  • GED (Language arts and math): Under 165.

Next Steps:

  1. Send any official transcripts and SAT/ACT/GED scores to the Registrar's office and send a copy to our Testing Center at testingcenterappoint@ccbcmd.edu.
  2. Make an appointment for your math placement test (ALEKS PPL) at any CCBC Testing Center or learn about remote options if you can't come to campus.
  3. Take the placement test. It usually takes about 60-90 minutes to complete.
  4. When you're done, the Testing Center staff will determine next steps for English placement.You may choose to retake the ALEKS PPL math tool up to two times if you want to improve your score

You can opt out if you have documentation dated within the last 5 years:

  • Your high school GPA (final and unweighted) is at least 2.5.

  • SAT scores are at least 480 for reading/writing and at least 530 for math.

  • ACT total score is at least 21.

  • GED score is at least 165.

  • Or if you are transferring college-level math/English credits to CCBC.

Next Steps

  1. Send any official transcripts and SAT/ACT/GED scores to the Registrar's Office at ccbcregistrar@ccbcmd.edu.
  2. Meet with an advisor to plan your first semester.

Note: If you wish to place into Pre-Calculus (Math 163) or need it for your program, you will need an SAT math score of 570 or ACT score of 23. Alternatively, students can complete ALEKS PPL if they seek course placement into MATH 163 or higher.

Additional information for...

When should I take the placement tests?

Below is the recommended timeframe to provide documents and/or complete the placement tools.

Time frame for taking placement tools.
Starting Semester Registration Opens Placement and Advisement Courses Begin
Fall Mid-March June Late August
Winter Mid-October November Late December
Spring Mid-October December Late January
Summer Mid-March March June