Montgomery College uses assessment tests to help students identify their level of English, reading, and mathematics skills; skills necessary for academic success. The ACCUPLACER is the test used to assess English reading and writing skills for native speakers of English; the ACCUPLACER ESL Test is used for non-native speakers of English; ALEKS PPL is used to assess mathematics skills. The College’s assessment policies and required courses pertaining to the assessment tests are listed under Assessment Testing (Appropriate Course Placement) in the Admissions and Registration section of this catalog.
Most course descriptions for college-level courses list prerequisites or assessment levels for English, reading or mathematics. An assessment level for a particular course indicates which English, reading or mathematics courses students must be eligible to enroll in when they enroll in that course. Eligibility is determined through placement by the ACCUPLACER for English reading and writing or ALEKS PLL for mathematics, acceptable scores of other test instruments (see below), transfer credit, Alternate Placement Program designation or completion of courses that lead to the identified assessment levels. Non-native speakers of English who have taken the ESL ACCUPLACER and are enrolled in English for Academic Purposes (ELAW, ELAR, ELAS, ELAI) courses should consult a counselor or adviser for required assessment levels.
Students who have completed any of the following tests with the indicated scores or higher should consult a counselor before taking an assessment test: SAT-500 verbal, 530 math (620 for MATH 165 or higher); ACT-21 or higher (26 or higher for MATH 165 or higher); TOEFL-575 or higher (231 or higher on the computerized version; 90 or higher on the Internet-based version); Advanced Placement-3, 4, or 5, depending on individual department requirements; CLEP general examination-50th percentile (except for MATH 165 or higher); CEEB Achievement Test-50 or higher.
Courses with no assessment levels or prerequisite listed are open to students who place into at least IERW 001 or ELAW 970 . However, students with an IERW or ELAP placement must enroll in those courses first before enrolling in any other courses.
