Section 1 AcademicsCourse Placement

What is Placement

A solid foundation in math and English will set you up with the skills needed for success in your future courses. In general, it is recommended that students get started early on taking math and English classes while in college. To get started taking math and English classes, you first need to determine which course is the right fit to start with. Part of making that determination is placement. (Additionally, you will want to meet with an advisor to determine which classes are the best fit for your academic pathway.)

It is recommended that you determine your placement before you enroll in your first term so that you can start with the classes appropriate for you. Comprehensive information can be found on the OC Placement webpage.Links to an external site.

There are multiple ways to obtain placement for math and English. The next page will summarize these options, and help you identify which is right for you.

Determine Math and English Placement

The below options go over the various ways that students can obtain math and English placement. Click on the sections most applicable to you to learn more about your next steps.

I am currently in high school or a recent high school graduate (within the last 1-6 years).

If you are currently in high school or are a recent high school graduate, you may be able to use your high school transcripts or other test scores for placement. If you meet the placement guidelines below, it is recommended that you follow the steps to submit the English & Math Placement Request form. If you don't meet the requirements below, or placement from high school has expired review the remaining sections below for alternative placement options.

Placement Guidelines:

High School Transcripts (HST) - can be used to place into both math and English:

- Math
  - If you have completed at least Algebra I or higher with a grade of at least C or better, you will be placed into math based on your highest math class completed, the grade that you earned in that class, and the length of time that has passed since the class was completed.
  - placement expiration date varies, depending on the course
- English
  - If you have completed either a Junior or Senior English course with at least a B or better AND at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA, you will be placed into English& 101.
  - placement expires in the spring following high school graduation

Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) - may be used for English placement only:

- <Score of 3 or higher places into English& 101
- Score of 2 places into English 99
- Placement expires in the spring following high school graduation

SAT and ACT scores - may be used for English placement only:

- ACT English score of 19 or higher places into English& 101
- SAT English score of 460 or higher places into English& 101
- Placement expires two years after test date

To request placement, submit your high school transcripts, SBA, SAT, ACT, or PSAT scores using the "English & Math Placement Request Form."

Sign in to this request form using your Olympic College student email address
Have digital copies of your transcripts or test scores ready to upload into the form
Unofficial copies are okay

I have previously taken math and/or English at another college.

If you are transferring to Olympic college, and have already taken math or English at a prior college, you can submit your unofficial transcript from the prior institution for placement review. If you would like to use your college transcripts for placement into math, English, or other courses that have prerequisites, you do not have to wait for your official transcript evaluation to be completed. You can submit your unofficial transcripts via the "Course Review Permission Code Request" form for placement while waiting for your official transcripts to be evaluated. You can find more information on the "Course Placements and Prerequisites" webpage.

It is also a good idea to bring any unofficial college transcripts to your first advising meeting with your Success Coach.

Note: Evaluation of a transcript for placement does not transfer the credits. It is recommended that you transfer your credits as soon as possible to see how your credits apply toward your degree requirements. Instructions on how to have your transfer credit evaluated can be found on the "Transfer Credit Evaluation" webpage.

Your official evaluation will be completed approximately 8 weeks from the first day of the first term that you enroll at OC.

I have AP scores that I want to use for placement.

Students who have taken high school Advanced Placement (AP) exams may be eligible to earn credit at Olympic College. For a chart of Olympic College credits offered by AP score achieved, see the "Transfer Credits & Award of Credit" webpage.

You may use your AP scores for placement into math or English while waiting for your official transfer credit evaluation to be completed. Use the "English & Math Placement Request Form" to submit your scores. You must sign in with your Olympic College student email address.

To have your AP scores evaluated for credit, you must submit an official AP score report and the "Transcript Evaluation Request" form. Instructions and the form can be found on the "Transfer Credit Evaluation" webpage. Credit evaluation takes up to eight weeks after the start of your first term of attendance. Once the evaluation is complete you will receive an email notification.

None of the above options describe me, or I need to take a placement assessment.

If you are new to college, or if it has been some time since you've taken a college-level English or math course, you may need to take the Accuplacer.

The Accuplacer is an untimed multiple-choice assessment delivered on the computer to evaluate your reading, writing, and math. You cannot "fail" the assessment. Rather, the results indicate the appropriate starting point in math and/or English courses to enroll in when you start college. The correct placement will give you the best chance of being placed in the courses that match your skills.

Accuplacer scores are valid for two years from the date of testing.

The Accuplacer is available online or in-person by appointment only. The fee is $25 or in person testing and $50 for virtual testing.

The "Placement" webpage has resources to help you prepare for the Accuplacer. Scroll down to the “Practice and Prepare” section near the bottom of the page.

You may take the Accuplacer up to three times in a calendar year. However, the Accuplacer cannot be used to skip over courses in a student's English or math sequence. Once classes are taken based on an initial placement, students must follow the sequence.

Schedule your Accuplacer on the "Placement" webpage.

Placement for Other Courses

Some courses have “prerequisites,” or prior classes, that you must complete before you can take them. Completing the required prerequisites ensures you have achieved the necessary learning outcomes to proceed to the next course.

For example:

you cannot enroll in Chemistry 121, Intro to Chemistry, without completing MATH 99 Intermediate Algebra
you cannot enroll in Communications 210, Interpersonal Communications, without completing English 101

If you believe that you have completed the prerequisite for a class that you wish to take, either at another institution or through tests like AP, then you can submit a request to have your prerequisites evaluated and verified. For instructions, see the “Course Placements and Prerequisites” webpageLinks to an external site..

Please note: this process is for placement into a course only. This process does not grant credit for courses. To receive credit for courses based on previous college transcripts or test scores, including AP scores, see the Transfer Credit EvaluationLinks to an external site. webpage.