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English Proficiency Information

Application Type Requirement
Outside the USA
Preferred method: Take MCC's free, remote placement test as part of the admission process and to know if you may be accepted into credit ESL or a certificate of achievement or an associate's degree.
 
If you do not have Internet connection nor have Zoom capabilities, then request an official TOEFL score to be sent directly from the testing location to MCC. Scores must be dated within two years. The TOEFL is part of the application to determine acceptance to MCC. Our school code is 9621. Then you will need to take the placement test after arrival at MCC to know if you will be in ESL or regular English.
Transfer within the USA Take MCC's free placement test as part of the admission process and to know if you can be accepted into credit ESL or a certificate of achievement or an associate's degree.
Change of Status to F-1 Take MCC's free placement test as part of the admission process and to know if you can be accepted into credit ESL or a certificate of achievement or an associate's degree.

Exemptions:

  1. Passport-Specific ESL Waiver

    If you have a passport from Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, or the Commonwealth Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, GrenaJamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago), then you do not need to take the ESL placement test. You will be asked to take the English (not ESL) placement test, unless you have SAT or ACT scores or a U.S. transcript showing a C or higher in college level English. 

  2. Previous Completion of College Level English

    If you earned a C or better in college level English (not ESL/IEP), please provide official transcripts for review.

  3. ACT or SAT Verbal Scores dated within two years.

    Please send official scores for review.

  4. Earned a Bachelor, Master, or Doctorate Degree

    If you earned one of these degrees, please send official transcripts for review. You may earn credit for college level English credits. If you earned the degree outside the US, then you will need to have your official transcript evaluated by one of the companies listed at http://www.naces.org/members.html.

  5. Other Documentation

    If you have other documentation that you would like to present for consideration please submit it to ISS for review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I best prepare myself for the Accuplacer test?
A: 
  • Go to the Accuplacer Practice Page
    • Scroll down, under Register for Free Accuplacer Practice Tests, CLICK “Start Practicing”
    • Click on “I Don’t Have an Account” Tab (bottom right of center of page)
    • You will need to create an Accuplacer Study App Profile. Type in your email address, and then create a password. Once you have created an Accuplacer Study App Profile, you can return to this website at any time to continue practice review testing.
    • Select English as a Second Language (ESL) and the mode of review testing you want to do:
    • Learn as you Go feature provides immediate feedback after each answer submitted.
    • Practice Test This Practice is not an actual ACCUPLACER test, but it resembles the test-taking experience.
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) Practice Tests
    • ESL Reading Skills - The ESL Reading Skills test measures your ability to read English. The test contains passages of various lengths. Some questions focus on comprehension of what you have read while others are designed to assess your inference skills.
    • ESL Sentence Meaning - The ESL Sentence Meaning tests assesses how well you understand the meaning of sentences in English. You will need to demonstrate an understanding of word meanings both one- and two-sentence contexts.
    • ESL Language Use - The ESL Language Use test measures your ability to use correct grammar in English sentences. Some questions will ask you to complete a sentence by filling in a blank with the word or phrase from the choices given. Other questions will provide two sentences and ask you to choose which option best combines the original two sentences.
    • ESL Listening - The ESL Listening test focuses on your ability to listen to and understand one or more people speaking in English. The conversations take place in academic environments (such as lecture halls, study sessions, a library, or the gymnasium) and in everyday environments (such as at home, in a shop, at a restaurant, or at work).


Q: Where can I take the TOEFL test?
A: If you have completed all other application documents, ISS will invite you to take our free placement test through MCC's Testing Center. If you are not able to take our free placement test, then you will need to take the TOEFL that is given by ETS. Visit http://www.toeflgoanywhere.org/ for more information.

Q: What score do I need on the TOEFL test?
A: To get admitted to our English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, you will need a minimum of score of 365 on the paper-based test or 23 if you take the internet based test. You will need to earn a 500 or higher on the paper-based test or a 61 in the Internet-based test to get admitted into a certificate of achievement program or an associate’s degree.

Q: I’m coming to study ESL. Do I still need to take the TOEFL?
A: You would only need to take the TOEFL if you are unable to take MCC's free placement test. Our ESL courses require a minimum level of English proficiency.

Q: I’ve tested into ESL. Will I be able to do a certificate of achievement or associate degree?
A: Once you have completed ESL, you will be able to re-apply to MCC for a certificate of achievement or an associate’s degree.

Q: Why do I have to take the placement test?
A: The placement test helps us to understand your level of English proficiency, if you qualify for admission, and to place you into classes that are not too low or too high for your level.

Q: I am in the US but not in the Omaha area, how can I take the placement test as part of my application process?
A: You may be able to take MCC's placement test for free remotely. ISS will give you directions after you have uploaded all supplemental items for your application.

Q: I’m a transfer student, and I have successfully completed a number of college classes at other institutions. Do I need to take the placement test?
A: It depends on the classes you successfully completed. Please provide transcripts to ISS for review.