Placement into Courses


  • Most first-time students are required to take placement tests in English and/or Math, unless they qualify for exemption (see below). Placement testing assesses your readiness for college-level courses. After testing, you will meet with an Admissions Counselor or advisor to review your placement results.

    PLACEMENT TESTING HOURS FOR NEW STUDENTS

    Placement testing is available on a walk-in basis during the following hours:   

    Monday – Thursday  10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 
    Friday  10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 
    Saturday   9 a.m. - 11 a.m. 

    Placement Testing Checklist

    • Call the Admissions office at 410-386-8430 before you arrive to verify times. Walk-in placement testing hours are subject to change during holidays, heavy testing and exam times. There is no fee for your initial placement test. 
    • Complete your enrollment application at least 48 hours prior to testing.
    • Contact Disability Support Services at 410-386-8327 or 410-386-8329 for disability-related test accommodations prior to testing.
    • Homeschool students cannot place with GPA. 
    • Provide a photo ID (driver's license preferred) at the time of testing. 
    • Click  here to prepare for Placement Testing.
    • Arrive 15 minutes prior to preferred test time and check in with Admissions. Allow 1 to 2 hours to complete the tests. They are untimed for everyone.

    Enrollment Application

    Complete your enrollment application at least 48 hours prior to testing.
    Call the Admissions office at 410-386-8430 for information about taking the placement tests.

    Do I need to take a placement test?

    There are many ways to place directly into college-level courses without testing. Standardized test scores are only valid for placement for two years. Please review the exemptions below:
    If you meet any one of the below criteria you are eligible to take English 101 without testing. Eligibility for English 101 is the pre-requisite for most college-level classes.

    • SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 480+ 
    • ACT English 21+
    • PARCC English 11 4+
    • AP Language score of 3
    • 3.0 unweighted high school grade point average (high school juniors and seniors and graduates within the last 5 years)
    • GED Reasoning through Language Arts 165+ 

    If you meet any one of the below criteria, you are eligible to take entry-level general education Math classes (non-Calculus based): 

    • SAT Math 530+
    • ACT Math 21+ 
    • HS Accuplacer college-level Math 45+ or PARCC Algebra II 4+
    • AP Calculus AB or BC score of 3
    • AP Stat score of 3
    • 3.0 unweighted high school grade point average (high school juniors and seniors and graduates within the last 5 years)
    • College-level Math from another college
    • GED Math Reasoning 165+ 

    If you meet any one of the below criteria, you are eligible to take Pre-Calculus Math:

    • SAT Math 570+
    • ACT Math 24+
    • HS Accuplacer college-level Math 55+ or PARCC Algebra II 4+
    • AP Calculus AB or BC score of 3
    • A qualifying pre-requisite math class from another College may place you (course/transcript evaluation required)  

    If you meet any of the following, you are eligible to take Calculus:

    • AP Calculus AB or BC score of 3

    If you meet any of the following, you are eligible to take Dual Enrollment at Carroll County Public Schools:

    • All SAT, ACT, AP, Accuplacer, and PARCC scores above
    • English 101: 2.5 unweighted grade point average for juniors and seniors
    • Math: 3.0 unweighted and a C or higher in Algebra II 

    If you qualify for exemption, bring a copy of your unofficial transcripts and/or test scores with you when you come in to register. Standardized test scores are only valid for placement for two years.


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