Placement Testing Exclusions
Students may be eligible to bypass placement testing based on their previous academic achievements. WCC accepts qualifying standardized test scores, college coursework or experience, high school GPA, and GED transcripts to establish academic placement levels.
Depending on the students’ qualifications and the courses they plan to take, additional math placement testing may still be required. See additional information on the Academic Level and Course Placement chart.
WCC accepts several commonly used test scores for college admissions such as:
- SAT
- PSAT 10th or 11th grade
- ACT
For additional accepted tests and minimum score requirements, refer to the Academic Levels and Course Placement chart.
Note: Complete score reports which include the student’s full name, test date, and scores are required. Screenshots of test results from the testing authority’s app will not be accepted.
Students meeting any of the following criteria will be assigned college academic levels of 6 Reading | 6 Writing.
- Earned a minimum of 15 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Guest students
- College graduates
Note: Guest students and college graduates may enroll in any general education course regardless of math level or prerequisite requirements.
Students who have earned a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA in high school will establish college-level academic placement scores of 6 Reading | 6 Writing | 3 Math based on qualifying high school transcript(s).
Qualifying high school transcripts must meet the following conditions:
- Transcripts are from an accredited high school located in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia, from a high school located on a U.S. military base, or from a lawfully conducted homeschool program in one of these locations.
- Transcripts must use standard letter grades (A-F), calculated on a 4.0 scale for cumulative grade point average, and indicate the number of credits earned.
- The transcripts must include a complete high school academic record from the start
of 9th grade through the student’s last completed term:
- Current high school students applying for dual enrollment may submit a transcript after completing the first semester or second trimester of 11th grade.
- High school graduates must submit a final transcript that includes all coursework and grades through 12th grade and shows the student’s graduation date.
Note: High school transcripts using alternative grading formats, including standards-based grading, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Alternative formats may require extended processing time and communication with the issuer of the transcript. Acceptance of high school transcripts for the purposes of establishing placement scores is at the discretion of Washtenaw Community College.
Students who completed the GED will establish college-level academic placement scores of 6 Reading | 6 Writing based on a qualifying GED transcript.
Qualifying GED transcript must meet the following conditions:
- Indicate GED Overall: PASS
- Score of 165 or higher in Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science OR Social Studies.
- Score of 165 or higher in Mathematical Reasoning will establish academic Math level of 3.
- GED must have been taken January 2, 2014 or later (score range between 100-200).
- Earlier versions of the GED do not qualify for academic placement review as they do not use these academic placement equivalencies.
All documents may be uploaded in your Application Checklist. Once admitted, students wishing to submit updated information may use the ‘Upload My Documents’ card in their Student Gateway.
Placement test scores will help you determine your starting class levels. Learn more about how to determine your academic level.
All placement testing is available on campus in the testing center on a walk-in basis.
If you qualify for remote testing, click on the below the placement test you wish to take. Remote testing is reserved for those that cannot physically come to campus. If you live out of the country, state, or county then you may be approved to take the remote test. If you have a chronic or acute medical condition that prohibits you from coming to campus or have recently had a medical intervention such as surgery, you too may be approved for remote testing.
The Writing Placement test is used to calculate academic levels for reading and writing. We offer a paper/pencil option that can be completed in the Testing Center during open hours.
You may also choose to test remotely. You will be proctored by Honorlock and will need to meet the technical requirements. You will need reliable internet, a webcam, microphone and Google Chrome. You will be asked to install the Honorlock extension and enable a browser guard.
You will choose one of 2 topics provided and write an essay with at least 3 paragraphs which will be read by a WCC English Department faculty member, and a placement level will be assigned. Results typically take two business days to post to your dashboard. Please allow at least 1 hour to complete your test.
The writing placement test can only be taken once. You must sign in with a WCC email address. When you are ready to take the test, please click the button below.
Students may complete a Writing Placement or ACCUPLACER (computerized) assessment designed to assesses your skill level in reading and writing. Learn more, see study guides, and read the FAQ's.
Testing slots go quickly so if you do not see any open dates, please check back. New dates are posted at the beginning of each week (Tuesdays).
The ALEKS PPL is an assessment test that determines which math course you are ready to take.
Please note: You will need a Reading level of 3 or above before taking the ALEKS test.
Schedule your remote ALEKS assessment
Testing slots go quickly so if you do not see any open dates, please check back. New dates are posted at the beginning of each week (Tuesdays).
The Spanish Placement test is currently being offered in the Testing Center on a walk-in basis.