Skip to main content

College of The Albemarle

site logo desktop site logo mobile

Placement Testing

home icon>Apply & Register>Degree-Seeking Students>Placement Testing

Welcome

College of The Albemarle (COA) applicants, whether applying for full-time or part-time enrollment, are placed primarily according to their unweighted US high school grade-point average (GPA):

  • 2.8 or higher – students may register for any gateway English or math course.
  • GPA Below 2.8 – students must successfully pass ENG 025 and MAT 025 or MAT 035 before enrolling in a gateway English or math course.
  • Students can place directly into MAT 110 regardless of their unweighted US high school GPA. MAT 110 does not have a developmental prerequisite.

When the unweighted high school GPA is below 2.8, a secondary placement measure may be used. Such measures include the EdReady placement test, SAT, ACT, High School Equivalency Test, and HiSET scores. COA also offers placement testing.

Placement testing is required for international students, applicants without a high school GPA, and applicants who received a General Equivalency Degree (GED) more than five years ago. Additionally, students who have an unweighted GPA of 2.79 or below may opt to take the placement test to determine if they can bypass developmental coursework.

Please contact admissions via email at [email protected] to determine if placement testing is necessary. Please visit the COA Apply and Register page for further information about becoming a COA student. We look forward to assisting you.

Testing Centers are located on each of our COA campuses. Please download our Testing Center hours of operation and latest check-in times (PDF). Testing Center policy requires a valid photo identification be presented for check-in purposes. Testing will not be permitted without valid photo identification and a completed placement testing form.

Proctoring

Do you need to take the placement test but plan to attend another college? You can request a proctor exam by emailing [email protected] for instructions.

Special Arrangements for Students with Disabilities

If you have a learning or physical disability that would prevent you from taking the test under standard conditions, separate testing and other special accommodations are available at no additional fee. For details, please contact the director of Accessibility Services at 252-335-0821 ext. 2256 or [email protected].

Direct Placement

A student may be placed directly into MAT 271 if the student has met at least one (1) of the following criteria within the past five (5) years:

  • A score of 2 or higher on the AP Calculus AB Exam.
  • A grade of C or higher in an AP Calculus course and an unweighted HS GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • A score of 600 or higher on the SAT Math and a grade of C or higher in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study Pre-Calculus course or an equivalent course from another state.
  • A score of 24 or higher on the ACT Math and a grade of C or higher in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study Pre-Calculus course or an equivalent course from another state.
  • Local diagnostic exam or challenge exam which demonstrates proficiency in Pre-Calculus course(s) competencies.
  • An unweighted HS GPA of 3.5 or higher and a grade of C or higher in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study Pre-Calculus course or an equivalent course from another state.

A student may be placed directly into MAT 172 or MAT 263 if the student has met at least one (1) of the following criteria within the past five (5) years:

  • Local diagnostic exam or challenge exam which demonstrates proficiency in Pre-Calculus Algebra competencies.
  • An unweighted HS GPA of 3.5 or higher and a grade of C or higher in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study Pre-Calculus course or an equivalent course from another state.
  • A score of 2 or higher on the AP Calculus AB Exam.
  • A grade of C or higher in an AP Calculus course and an unweighted HS GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • A score of 600 or higher on the SAT Math and a grade of C or higher in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study Pre-Calculus course or an equivalent course from another state.
  • A score of 24 or higher on the ACT Math and a grade of C or higher in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study Pre-Calculus course or an equivalent course from another state.

Retest Policy and Fee

Students may retake the placement test once. There is no fee to retest. Retesting is not permitted after starting a developmental course. Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) and continuing education students should contact the BLET administrator or continuing education personnel concerning retests.

Placement Testing Help

Placement Test Prep: English (PDF)

Placement Test 1 Prep: Math (PDF)

Placement Test 2 Prep: Math (PDF)