Advisement Center
Student & Administrative Services Center, Rm. 1047 (570) 320-5228 or (800) 367-9222 · Fax: 570.327.4769
Placement Testing - FAQs
Q: Why must I take these tests?
A: These tests are very important. Your previous grades, SAT scores and
perceptions of your academic skills may not be accurate indicators of your
readiness to succeed in college. The testing program assures that those
mathematics, English and reading courses you schedule are appropriate for your
current skills.
Q: Will high placement test scores allow me to earn
college credit?
A: You cannot earn college credit by placement testing in math, reading, and
English.
Q: What can I do to prepare for the tests?
A: To help you do your best during the exam, make sure you are well rested
before taking the placement tests. If you live out-of-town, you may want to
consider staying in Williamsport the night before testing. Besides contributing
to better test performance, arriving the day before testing may provide a good
opportunity to see the campus and look for student housing.
You also can help boost your test performance by eating a balanced meal prior to testing and by refreshing your skills. There are many resources available to help with your review:
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Use the sample test questions in this booklet
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Check out Penn College’s Math Department’s Practice Tests available through the Advisement Center’s Web site at www.pct.edu/advise
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Review old high school textbooks and notes
Q: What if I have special testing needs?
A: If you have a physical, psychological or learning disability that may
place you at a disadvantage in a group-testing situation, you must contact the
Disability Services office at least one week prior to the placement test to
request accommodations. For more information, contact Disability Services at
http://www.pct.edu/disabilityservices/.
Q: What if I can’t attend on the day my placement test
is scheduled?
A:
Log on to the Student Information System (SIS) and choose the Change
Placement Test Date menu option to request a new date, or contact the Advisement
Center at (570) 320-5228, or 1-800-367-9222 or e-mail us at
advcenter@pct.edu.
Q: What happens after the test?
A:
You will not receive your test results the day of the test. You
will be invited to return to campus for a Pre-Enrollment Advising Session,
described in the advising section of this booklet.
Q: What if I don’t do well on the placement tests?
A: Although the placement test results are not scored on a pass/fail basis,
there are certain levels of competency necessary for success in college.
If your test results show that you need to improve certain skills before attempting coursework in your major, you will be required to take developmental courses.
Q: What are developmental courses?
A: Developmental courses are courses that will improve your skills in a
specific area and prepare you to take higher level courses. Developmental
courses must be completed as early as possible, beginning with your first
semester.
Q: Can I still take courses in my major if I have
developmental requirements?
A: It depends upon your major and your specific developmental requirements. In
many majors, you will be able to take some of the major courses along with
developmental courses in your first semester. Your first semester schedule will
be designed to fit your current skills and give you the best possible start to
your career at Penn College.
You will learn more about your options for satisfying developmental requirements at your Pre-Enrollment Advising Session.
Q: Can my placement test results prevent me from being
accepted into my major?
A: Depending on your skill level, you may not be able to enter some majors. You
may need to change to a related major, better suited to your current skills. For
example: bachelor degree applicants with developmental requirements may start in
a related associate's degree that will build their skills and allow them to
transfer back into the bachelor degree program in a later semester.
If you have developmental requirements in all three tested areas, you will be restricted to developmental courses during your first semester. After successfully completing the developmental semester, you will begin taking your major courses.
Q: Can my placement test results prevent me from being
accepted into Penn College?
A: A very small percentage of students test below the acceptable level for
admission into developmental coursework. In these cases, the student must seek
academic assistance outside of the College to build skill levels and then retake
placement tests.
Remember: Developmental requirements may impact your admission into your major or your completion date, so it’s important that you do your best on the placement tests.
Q: What if the test results seem wrong?
A: If you believe that your test results are incorrect, you may complete an
Appeal Form available from the Advisement Center. You must provide rationale and
supporting documentation with the form and submit it to the Advisement Center.
Your rationale must explain why you believe that the scores do not accurately
reflect your skill level. In addition, you must present documentation that cites
evidence that the placement test results are inconsistent with other measures of
academic achievement – for example, your high school grades, SAT scores or
performance at other colleges. The Advisement Center will review your appeal and
determine if a retest is the best course of action.