Start your journey on the right track
Placement with a transcript
If you have attended high school within the past ten years, you can submit your official high school transcripts to the Admissions, Records, and Registration Office at your preferred college. An advisor will then meet with you and use your transcripts to help you find the best English, math, and reading courses for you.
Please note the following criteria for placement with High School Transcripts:
| High School GPA At least two years of high school No more than 10 years out of high school |
English | Math | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 or above | ENG101 | MAT15x or 187 | CRE101 |
| 2.6-2.99 | ENG101 | MAT14x or 120 | RDG100 |
| Below 2.6 | Take Writeplacer | Take ACCUPLACER | Take ACCUPLACER |
Students who wish to place into a higher level may take the ACCUPLACER as a secondary measure. Students whose GPA does not fit the given criteria will need to take the ACCUPLACER.
Students who wish to place into a higher level may take the Placement Test as a secondary measure. Students whose GPA does not fit the given criteria will need to take the Placement Test.
Refer to the Course Placement Chart for high school GPA, WritePlacer, and course planning/placement policies.
Placement testing
Our other option is to take a placement test. You will need to take placement tests before registration if:
- you are currently a high school freshman/sophomore
- your high school GPA is below 2.6
- your high school transcripts are older than 10 years
- you obtained a GED
- you wish to place in a higher level of English, Math, or Reading
- your high school transcripts are from outside the United States
You can take your placement test at any of our colleges or just at the college you plan on attending. Feel free to do a walk-in testing session or call to make an appointment. We also offer proctored testing for out-of-state students. Please allow 24 hours for your results to be updated in your academic file.
Once you receive your test scores, you will review them with an academic advisor and decide together which English, math, and reading courses offer you the best path for academic success.
Below, we provide information on the types of tests we offer, acceptable forms of ID to bring with you on test day, and test preparation tools.
Types of tests
Accuplacer is an untimed, computer-based placement test. It's designed to identify your skill levels in English, reading, and math.
CELSA is a 45-minute multiple choice test that measures your context and grammatical understanding of the English language.
HSE is needed to apply for and benefit from any financial aid. Many campuses feature online and in-person HSE courses.
Formerly known as DANTES, the DSST program offers 38 exams on material taught in upper- and lower-level college courses.
Acceptable forms of ID
| U.S. Passport or Passport Card | U.S. military ID card |
| International Passport | Matricula Consular |
| International government ID | Arizona's learner's permit |
| Permanent resident ID | Tribal ID |
| Employment authorization | Visa |
| School ID | Current, valid, state-issued driver's license or ID card |
Test preparation resources
This online app will familiarize you with the content and format of the Accuplacer test questions. It features practice tests in each test subject.
This iTunes app will quiz you on test subjects right at your fingertips. It also provides performance statistics and additional test strategies.
Get a more in-depth understanding of the Accuplacer test. You will be equipped with tools, advice, and insights to get you ready for test day.