New Student Course Placement Testing

MCC Testing Center staff administer the various assessments for placement free of charge to new students planning to attend Metropolitan Community College. The placement assessments are listed below and are determined by the student's needs. If a student is not sure what placement assessment they may require they should call the Contact Center at 531-622-2400 and they will assist in determining which assessment is needed or scheduling an appointment with an Success Navigator or Academic Advisor if further assistance is required.

Prospective students that are currently enrolled in high school or home schooled will complete the Writing Sample Essay and Accuplacer Math assessment for course placement. The ALEKS math assessment may be appropriate if the student is a high schoool senior or needing a credit math course, speak to an Academic Advisor if you have questions.

• have ACT scores within the last 2 years
• have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.8 (B-) or higher
• have passed a college level English class with a “C” or higher within the last 2 years
• earned previous college level credits from other institutions

Additional MCC Math Assessment Information:

Student begin the math sequence based on a variety of placement measures. Recent high school graduates (within the last two years) with an overall GPA of 2.8 or better may place into college-level courses without taking a placement exam give the following criteria:

*No placement assessment or pre-requisite course is needed for Math 1220, 1240, or 1242 or FINA 1000.

* For Math 1300: High school completion of one year each Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry, with C or better.

*For Math 1305, 1312, or 1410: High school completion of four years of math beginning with Algebra I, with C or better

GED, ACT, and SAT scores may be used for placement with in three years.

Students who are more than two years out of high school or college may also qualify to place into a college-level course upon review of high-school and/or college transcripts by the Math Department.

Additional MCC English Assessment Information:

Students begin the English Sequence based on placement measures. The MCC English Writing Sample is the placement measure for students hoping to take ENGL classes at MCC. The Writing Sample provides the best pathway for placement in the most appropriate course. Contact Testing Center Staff to schedule an appointment to take the Writing Sample.

ACT scores and SAT scores may be used for placement with in 3 years.
Next Generation Accuplacer and Companion scores may be used for placement with in 2 years.

The Writing Sample Essay is used to identify the highest-level English class that a student may place into within MCC's English courses.

Students are allowed 2 hours to read a short article and write (type) their response to the question proposed in the Writing Sample Essay instructions. Their essay is then scored by English faculty within 3 business days. Students should take their time and read carefully. A retake is only allowed with authorization from the Dean of the English Department.

ALEKS (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces) is a Web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system that uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what a student knows and doesn't know in a subject.

ALEKS PPL (Placement, Preparation, and Learning) accurately measures a student's math readiness and repairs learning loss via web-based and self-paced skill building. An ALEKS PPL account is valid for one year and provides students 5 assessments (initial and 4 retakes) in an effort to improve their placement score (if necessary). All five assessments must be completed within one year from the time the student registers for an ALEKS PPL account.

ALEKS PPL Math Assessment Parameters:

• Not timed - no time limit, average completion time 1 ½ - 2 hours.
• up to 30 questions.
• No personal calculators, tablets, or cell phones allowed.

• Prospective students that are currently enrolled in high school or home schooled will complete the Accuplacer English and Math assessments for course placement.
• Next Generation Accuplacer: A computerized assessment for placement test for both English and Math. The average time to complete this test is two hours or less; however, it is not timed. This assessment is offered at all campus/center locations.
• Companion: This assessment test is only for persons needing DSS accommodations and can be given by appointment only at all testing locations. This exam is a proportionally comparable written version of the computerized Accuplacer assessment. To be eligible, students must have a documented disability and see a MCC DSS adviser for recommendation. This test is offered in a paper and pencil version, a large-print version, a braille version and an audio CD version as well. Students may take the English and the Math sections together, separately, or not at all. Testing is done using a test booklet, answer sheet, scratch paper and a No. 2 pencil. Calculators are not authorized for use with the Companion Exam when completing Arithmetic and Elementary Algebra problems unless noted in DSS accommodations. Accuplacer Companion does not have a set time limit for test completion.

If English is a student's second language, the student must first meet with an MCC Academic Advisor or Counselor located in Student Services. This meeting is to decide which type of testing is required based on student's individual needs and requirements. There are two different assessments available for ESL students:

• Accuplacer ESL: This is a computerized ESL Language Use, and ESL Sentence Meaning placement assessment program administered for English only. MCC uses the ESL Listening, and ESL Reading Skills, and ESL Language Use for English Course Placement. ESL WritePlacer (an additional short writing sample) may also be required if there is a question as to an understanding of a required skill set. The average completion time to take this placement examination is approximately three hours. There is however no actual set time limit for taking this test. Sample tests can be found using the highlighted links for ESL Accuplacer and ESL WritePlacer.
• Companion ESL: The Companion ESL placement test is only for nonnative English speaking individuals who require the ESL Companion with DSS accommodations. This proficiency exam may be provided by appointment only at any testing location. The exam is a proportionally comparable written version of the computerized Accuplacer ESL assessment. To be eligible, students must have a documented disability and see a MCC DSS adviser for recommendation. This test is available in a paper and pencil version, a large-print paper and pencil version, a braille version and an audio CD version. Testing is accomplished by using a test booklet, an answer sheet, scratch paper and a No. 2 pencil. Companion ESL does not have a set time limit for test completion. Companion ESL uses the same practice tests that are used with the computerized Accuplacer ESL exam. Sample tests can be found using the highlighted links for ESL Accuplacer and ESL WritePlacer.

The Accuplacer and Companion can only be taken twice within any given two (2) year time period. To take the examination a second time, students must contact and speak with an MCC Advisor, whom, after reviewing initial scores, can recommend, annotate and approve a students request or need for a retake in Colleague. It is recommended however that all students complete a period of review prior to taking or retaking an assessment using the Accuplacer Study Application.

Course placement is evaluated by the results of each student's testing abilities in the areas of Math, Reading and Writing. To obtain a more valid and accurate skill placement, all students are encouraged to complete a review (if available) of their academic skills prior to taking the placement exam.

Next Generation Accuplacer and Companion Accuplacer use the same study application which is tailored to specifically help students become more prepared to test. It can be found on the Accuplacer Study App. There are a variety of other web based test taking tools and study preparation resources available for use as well. If using an application other than the Accuplacer Study App, test preparation should only focus on reading comprehension, writing and math portions of the preparation materials. If you have any questions about accessing the Accuplacer Study App, contact any MCC Learning and Tutoring Center.

ALEKS math assessment does not have an official review source but students may visit any MCC Math Center.

Writing Sample Essay assessment does not have an official or unofficial review at this time.

SmarterMeasure is an optional assessment that measures learner readiness. It will help you prepare to be successful as a student. You are not penalized for guessing on SmarterMeasure, however, you will still need to answer every question on the assessment. Upon completion of SmarterMeasure, you will receive a score report which will not only help you understand your strengths and opportunities for improvement, but will also provide resources to help you succeed. Remember, this assessment is strictly for your benefit. Take the time to rate yourself honestly.

Elkhorn Valley Campus Testing Center: 531-MCC-1278
Open Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Closed Friday
Closed Weekends
829 North 204th St., Room 158
Elkhorn, NE 68022
Email: testingcenterevc@mccneb.edu

Fort Omaha Campus Testing Center: 531-MCC-2204
Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - Noon
Closed Weekends
5300 North 30th St., Building #23, Room 311
Omaha, NE 68111
Email: testingcenterfoc@mccneb.edu

South Omaha Campus Testing Center: 531-MCC-4613
Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - Noon
Closed Weekends
2909 Edward Babe Gomez Ave., Connector Building, Room 102
Omaha, NE 68107
Email: testingcentersoc@mccneb.edu

Fremont Area Testing Center: 531-MCC-3000
Hours vary, call for details
Closed Weekends
825 North Broad St.
Fremont, NE 68025
Email: testingcenterfrc@mccneb.edu