Placement Testing

Placement Testing

Prior to registering for courses, most first-time students are required to take placement tests to assess their skill levels in reading, writing, and math.  As these are the building-blocks of education, your performance in these areas will effect other areas of study.  

A student studies at her laptop in the lobby of the Student Success Center.

See if you may be exempt from placement testing.

Specific circumstances may exempt you from placement testing. See if you qualify.

A student studies for a test in the Student Success Center lobby.

Prepare for the placement test.

Learn about placement testing content and how you can prepare.

A student ponders during class.

Don't forget!

See what you need to bring with you to the placement test.

A student takes notes during class.

Interpret your results.

Once you take your placement test and have your results, learn what your scores mean.

Accommodations for a Disability

If you have a disability or temporary disabling condition that will prevent you from performing well under standard test conditions, please call 724.431.4606 for information on testing accommodations.

 

When and Where

After submitting an application for admission you will receive an email to your myBC3 account providing additional information for testing and possible exemptions. 

Testing sessions are offered based on the semester you plan to start attending BC3.  Typically, applicants will begin to receive information regarding testing following the schedule below based on intended start:

  • Summer- February
  • Fall- April
  • Spring- October

Although the test is untimed, 2 ½ hours usually provide enough time to complete the placement test.

You are permitted to retake the Placement Test one time in each of the three areas assessed:

  • Reading.
  • Writing.
  • Math.

There is no charge. 

Please be sure to bring your letter with Student ID at the top and a form of photo ID to verify your identity. Please do not bring a calculator.

Testing takes place at the following locations:

 

Test Content & Preparation

As college requirements are demanding, please take the tests seriously and do your best.

Failure to review may result in course placement below your skill level.

Your course placement may even require that you take one or more developmental courses before being eligible to take college-level courses. If you need these skill-building classes, discuss with an advisor how this influences your overall plan.

Starting at the college level saves you time and money, so it is in your best interest to prepare.

Next-Generation Accuplacer provides an:

In addition, feel free to browse the many other skill-building sites available on the Internet.

Accuplacer Next-Generation test content

 

Test Results

Your test results will determine course placement and effect course selection. Interpreting Your Test Results gives you detailed information regarding scores and placement. If you choose to retest, please contact your original test site to make arrangements.

 

Placement Test Exemption

You may be exempt from placement testing if:

High School Transcript Review

If you have graduated high school within the past five years with an unweighted overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, your transcripts may exempt you from testing. Please send a copy of your transcript (unofficial can be accepted for this process) to Admissions. If you are currently a high school senior still attending, your transcript needs to include your mid-year grades. These can be mailed or emailed to:

Admissions Office, Butler County Community College
P.O. Box 1203 Butler, PA 16003
admissions@bc3.edu

You have official scores from the past 5 years for the following:

English Exemption Minimum Score  Math Exemption Minimum Score 
SAT- Evidence Based Reading & Writing  500   SAT- Math  500 (places into MATH 100)
550 (places into MATH 101)
570 (places into MATH 102 or higher)
ACT- English   21 ACT- Math  23
CLEP- College Composition   50 or higher  CLEP- Precalculus or Calculus 50 or higher 
AP- English Language and Composition 3 or higher  AP- Calculus AB or BC or Statistics 3 or higher 

Scores are official if:

  • They are sent directly from College Board or ACT (requested at the time of your testing registration or at a later date for a fee).
  • They are sent directly from your high school guidance office. If your high school collects this, it may be found on your transcript.
  • You can show us your scores during your advising session. Please bring your College Board or ACT username password with you to login.

You may be also be  exempt from placement testing if:

  • You took a college-level English or math course and have a grade of "C" or better.
  • You took the Accuplacer exam in the last 5 years at BC3 or another institution
  • You are enrolled in any non-degree seeking program such as the College's Senior Citizen, Workplace Certificate, Guest, or College Pathways program, unless required by a course prerequisite.