What is Placement Testing?

Prior to meeting with an academic advisor and registering for classes, most students will complete placement testing.  Students in the following categories must complete placement testing:

• All new students enrolling in a degree or certificate program
• students registering in Reading, English, or Mathematics
• students registering in courses with a prerequisite in Reading, English, or Mathematics.

Students may be exempt from placement testing if:

• The student provides a transcript or diploma showing completion of an accredited associate degree or above;
• The student presents official ACT or SAT test scores showing required scores to place directly in college level courses 
• The student completes assessment testing at another institution and submits those scores to Central;
• The transfer student presents official transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university to show completed coursework in a corresponding subject with a grade of "C" or better.
• The transfer student shows successful completion of a minimum of 9 credit hours of university level academic coursework from a regionally accredited college or university.

Procedure to complete Placement Tests

It is always best to make an appointment for placement tests to ensure a testing availability.  You can take placement tests at any of our Testing Center locations. (Visit the Testing Center page to view locations and hours.)  The tests are administered via a computer and are not timed.  However, so that you won't feel rushed or pressured, you should allow yourself approximately two hours for testing.

Your test results are printed and distributed to you immediately after you've completed your tests.  You can then meet with an advisor to help you develop your course plan.  If you would like to meet with an advisor, make sure to let the scheduler know when you set your testing appointment and plan an additional hour to complete your initial advising session. 

As a courtesy, we offer placement tests to students who are not Central Arizona College students for a proctor fee of $15 per test.