Advisement Center
Student & Administrative Services Center, Rm. 1047 (570) 320-5228 or (800) 367-9222 · Fax: 570.327.4769
The Placement Test Appeal Process
The Placement Test Appeal Process
What and Why
Typically a student will file an appeal because he or she was placed into a developmental course based upon placement test scores; the Appeal is one available option for addressing developmental needs before the start of classes. Appealing your placement means that you are asking to retake a placement test for a very specific reason.
The Advisement Center does not grant retests automatically. In order for you to be considered for a retest, we need to have reason to believe that either you have made a serious commitment to improving your skill level or that your test scores are not accurate.
Therefore, Appeals to retest fall under two possible categories:
- Retesting after Remediation or
- Retesting due to Extenuating Circumstances.
Who and What Kind
Retesting after Remediation
You may appeal to retake a placement test based upon your plan to follow a remediation strategy designed to improve your weak skill areas. Strategies may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- working with a private tutor
- taking adult education courses or other non-credit courses such as a summer class offered at a local high school
- attending a learning center
For any remediation strategy that you choose, we will be looking to see that you are working with a person or within a program that can assess your skill level and provide you with the materials, instruction, and guidance necessary to reinforce concepts and strengthen your weak skill areas. If your Appeal is approved you will be allowed to retake the placement test after you have completed your remediation program.
This option is viable for students who have experience with the material and for various reasons might just need to brush up. It is not recommended for those with very little background in the deficient area.
Retesting due to Extenuating Circumstances
You may appeal your placement if you believe that your test results are not an accurate reflection of your current skill level in one or more areas due to illness, injury or other unforeseen hardship that adversely affected your performance on the placement tests. Under this category, we will examine your high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, college transcripts, or other documentation to see if your past academic achievement is inconsistent with your performance on your placement tests. Under this category, remediation is not required but sometimes recommended.
Less frequently students might ask to retest because they feel that their original test scores have placed them into courses too challenging for their comfort with the material.
How: A Brief Explanation of the Appeal Process
1. Request an Appeal Form
The first step in the process is to request an Appeal Form by following the
link under Getting Started, below. After sending the request, you will receive
an e-mail reply that will provide a link to the Appeal Form itself.
2. Complete and Submit the Appeal Form
The Appeal form will provide detailed instructions on completing and
submitting an Appeal. When the Advisement Center receives your Appeal, the
committee will review it and make the decision to either approve or deny your
Appeal, based upon the information you provided, and will send an e-mail reply
with the results.
- If your Appeal is approved the message will include instructions for scheduling your retest date.
- If your Appeal is denied the e-mail will, in some cases, provide suggestions for rethinking your strategy and re-submitting your Appeal. See Denied Appeals.
Getting Started
If you believe the Appeal is the best option for you, you may Request an Appeal Form.
If you are unable to file an Appeal online, contact the Advisement Center by phone. See contact information.