About Placement Testing
As a new student to CCAC, you may need to take several placement assessments before you register for classes. These assessments are not an entrance exam but are designed to help you choose the right classes for your success at CCAC by accurately assessing your current skills.
We currently have the following assessments:
- Reading
- Math (three sections: Arithmetic, Algebra, and Advanced Algebra)
- English Self-Directed Questionnaire
- English as a Second Language (ESL Reading, Listening, and Writing)
- BIO 110 Waiver
Placement assessments can be completed either virtually (at home) or in-person (on campus), so you can take the assessments where you want and when you want. You will make that choice when you register.
Important Testing Announcement
Placement Testing Steps
Step 1: Apply to CCAC
As a new student to CCAC, the first step to enrolling is easy! Simply complete the admissions application.
Once accepted, you will receive your student ID number. You will need this in order to register for your tests.
Step 2: Create Your CCAC NetID And Password
Once admitted to CCAC creating your CCAC NetID username and password will allow you to take your placement test at a CCAC Testing Center location and to access important college resources—like CCAC Self-Service to plan your courses and view financial aid, the MyCCAC portal and more!
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Step 3: Send Us Your Transcript
A final high school transcript is required. Please arrange with your high school to send a final transcript upon high school graduation to admissions@ccac.edu.
Do not delay the enrollment process. For placement test/exemption purposes send your high school transcript after the first two grading periods or first semester of your senior year.
Did you attend another college? Send your official transcript from each college you attended to transcripts@ccac.edu.
Note to Seniors in high school: Have your transcript sent ONLY after the first two grading periods or first semester of your senior year. Any transcript sent without those grades and GPA on it cannot be used for placement test exemptions.
Step 4: Exemption / Accommodation
Determine if you are eligible for and exemption or need an accommodation for your placement test before you schedule your placement test
Step 5: Register for your placement tests either at home or on campus
CCAC offers students the opportunity to complete their placement tests either on campus at a CCAC location or at home. Please see the instructions to register for each one and choose the option that best meets your needs.
Register for Your Placement Test on Campus
To schedule an appointment, log in to Navigate and schedule an appointment with Placement Testing for Placement Testing (choose the appropriate test or test combination you need to take).
If you are new to Navigate, please visit the EAB Navigate Guide for Students in the Help Center.
For assistance scheduling your appointment, please contact Placement Testing by phone or email.
Register for Your Placement Tests at Home
- Click Placement Tests link.
- The event registration form will open.
- You will need the email address and password you used when creating your CCAC admissions application.
- You can select any placement assessment except for the BIO 110 Waiver.
- Once you have submitted your request, check your personal email inbox for a confirmation
email with additional information.
- Be patient, your request will be processed the next business day if taking the assessment at home.
Step 6: Taking the English Self-Directed Questionnaire
English Self-Directed Questionnaire is not a test but a tool to help you learn about the CCAC English courses and decide which one is right for you. You do not need to register for this assessment.
Step 7: What if I want to take the BIO 110 Waiver
If you plan to register for advanced biology classes and you previously studied introductory biology, you may be eligible to skip Biology 110, Introduction to Biology, by passing the BIO 110 Waiver test.
The test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions with a 60-minute time limit. Passing the test with a score of 70 or above will exempt you from taking the BIO 110 prerequisite for advanced biology courses.
You can register to take the test online by clicking the button below. Alternatively, you can schedule an appointment to take the test on campus by emailing placementtesting@ccac.edu with "BIO 110 Waiver Test" in the subject line. Do not forget to include your student ID and birthday so we can access your account.
Preparing for Your Accuplacer Exam With ProctorU (Meazure Learning)
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Placement Test Practice
Skill levels of students entering college can very. Students that study for an assessment before taking it can make the difference between a positive and a negative result. The most effective means of studying for a placement assessment is working with the practice materials provided by the college. CCAC provides resources to help you prepare for your placement assessments as well as, Accuplacer, our assessment provider. You should practice until you are comfortable with the question formats and content.
Visit the Accuplacer Practice Test site and sign up for a free account to practice using the test simulator. You will be able to practice for the reading, arithmetic, advanced algebra and functions, ESL reading, and ESL listening tests using the simulator.
CCAC also provides testing resources for both the reading and math placement test listed below.
Reading Test Practice
English As A Second Language Information
Accuplacer ESL Test Description
Accuplacer ESL Test Sample Questions
Accuplacer WritePlacer ESL Guide with Sample Essay
Math Test Practice
Accuplacer Arithmetic Sample Questions
CCAC Elementary Algebra Sample Questions
Accuplacer Advanced Algebra Sample Questions
Additional Math Exercises
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are taking a placement test virtually (at home), we will be no longer using Examity as of September 15, 2024. We will be using ProctorU to proctor your assessments. You will need a desktop or laptop computer with a web camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, and a quiet place to concentrate and take your assessment. It is important that no one else be in the room with you while taking the test virtually.
You are not allowed the use of any electronic devices during your assessment or the use of a calculator during your math assessment unless approved by Disability Resources and Services as an accommodation.
ProctorU
Accuplacer Placement tests taken virtually will use the Record+ service.
Record+—When using ProctorU for placement testing remotely, students are recorded without a live proctor. Students do not schedule Record+ exams in advanced. Students will use the voucher code sent to you to take your exams.
Before you begin the ProctorU preparation steps below, please note:
- ProctorU does not support devices such as phones and tablets
- All placement tests require a computer with a camera and microphone and the Guardian browser (details below)
Students Preparation Steps for ProctorU Setup:
- Create a ProctorU Account:
- Complete all required information on the account setup page before submitting your request
- Remember your ProctorU username and password for possible future use
To create your ProctorU Account, click this link—While creating your account select CCAC as your Institution's name from the dropdown menu
- Download the Guardian Browser:
- To use ProctorU you must download the Guardian Browser and use it to access each placement test
- Click here to download the Guardian browser
Note: Administrator Access for your computer is required to install the browser. Click here for the full list of requirements.
- Test your equipment:
- View the minimum requirements. All CCAC students will download and use the ProctorU
- Guardian Browser (see Step 2 above)
- Test your equipment before exam day in an environment that is identical to or close to the location where you are planning to take your exam
- Click here to login to your ProctorU account and test your equipment
Exam Day: Prepare for the day of your placement test by also doing the following (see video links below)
- Test in a private, well-lit room with no one else present
- Close all programs on your computer except Guardian Browser and unplug any secondary monitors
- Have your government-issued photo ID ready
- Remove any non-religious head coverings, watches, earbuds, and headphones
- Clear your workspace of all materials except those allowed
- Ensure your computer passes the equipment test and the Guardian Secure Browser is installed
Video links:
Contact CCAC's Office of Disability Resources and Services to see if you qualify.
You may not need to take all placement tests. CCAC offers a number of eligible exemptions.
Do I qualify for an exemption?
If you are a high school senior and are looking to take advantage of the reading/English
exemption, you must send your high school transcript only after the first two grading
periods or first semester of your senior year to get this exemption. Any transcripts
sent without those grades and GPA will not be acceptable.
Dual Enrollment students who are juniors or seniors only need to take a placement test if the course they are taking has a math or English prerequisite or have not taken the SAT/ACT exams. All other Dual Enrollment students not yet juniors or seniors are required to take all three placement tests (reading, math, and English).
The math test consists of three parts (arithmetic, algebra, and advanced algebra). You will start with arithmetic, which has 20 multiple-choice questions. If you get a high enough score, the algebra section will launch with an additional 20 multiple-choice questions. If you get a high enough score on the algebra section, the advanced algebra section will launch with 20 more multiple-choice questions. If you do not score high enough on any one section, the test will submit and your score report will display the math course in which you are eligible to enroll.
The reading and math placement tests are not timed so you can take the time you need to complete it in one sitting. The BIO 110 Waiver is a timed test and you have 60 minutes to complete that test.
If taking the reading and math test together, you should estimate at least 1½ hour depending on your reading and math skills. Longer if you are able to advance to the algebra and advanced algebra sections of the math test.
Students take this test when English is not their first language. The ESL test has three parts: reading skills, listening skills, and writing skills. The reading and listening sections have 20 multiple-choice questions. The writing section presents you with a prompt and asks you to write an essay of approximately 300 to 600 words.
If you are required to complete the reading test, you will also need to complete the "English Questionnaire".
Placement assessments can be taken a second time with the approval of an advisor. A student may retest for a placement out of a course in which he/she was enrolled after a 4-year period. Once a student has retested after four years and scores into the same course(s) for which he/she was enrolled, there is no further alternative, regardless of the result. The BIO 110 Waiver can only be taken once a year.
Once you complete your placement assessments, Academic Advising can help you explore our programs and register for classes.
- Allegheny Campus in room S130 and is located in the Student Services Center at 839 Ridge Ave on the Northside of Pittsburgh.
- Boyce Campus Testing Center is in room S563 and is located at 595 Beatty Rd in Monroeville.
- North Campus Testing Center is in room 1002 and is located at 8701 Perry Highway in McCandless.
- South Campus Testing Center is in room B447 and is located at 1750 Clairton Road in West Mifflin.
Walk-In or Schedule an Appointment With Us
To access Navigate360 via mobile device, download "Navigate360 Student" through Google Play or AppStore, search for "CCAC,” and enter your username and password (same as my.ccac.edu).
To access Navigate360 via desktop, log in here.
New to Navigate360? To get started, visit the EAB Navigate360 Guide for Students in the Help Center.
Contact Testing Services
Tuesday - 8:30AM–7:00PM EST
Wednesday: 8:30AM–7:00PM EST
Thursday - 8:30AM–4:30PM EST
Friday - 8:30AM–4:30PM EST
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Homewood-Brushton Center
Friday - 11:00AM—4:00PM