Placement Testing & Assessment

New Student:

To be exempt from taking this test, you must have taken the ACT and have scored 19 or higher on the Math, an 18 or higher on the English, and 20 or higher on the Reading sections. You will be required to take this test if your scores did not meet or exceed the ACT scores listed above.

If you have completed an application for HCTC, you will receive a letter from the Admissions Office, indicating dates, times, and locations of the next testing sessions.

Re-admit Student:

To be exempt from taking this test, you must have taken the ACT and have scored 19 or higher on the Math, 18 or higher on the English, and 20 or higher on the Reading sections. You will be required to take if your scores did not meet or exceed the ACT scores listed above.

OR

If you have passed a college-level class (100 or higher) in the subject area, you do not need to take this test.

You must take it if your scores are three years old and you have not begun the progression of developmental classes indicated or you have not passed a college-level class (100 or higher) in the subject area.

If you have completed an application for HCTC, you will receive a letter from the Admissions Office, indicating dates, times, and locations of the next testing sessions.

Transfer Student:

To be exempt from taking this, you must have taken the ACT and have scored 19 or higher on the Math, an 18 or higher on the English, and 20 or higher on the Reading sections. You will be required to take it if your scores did not meet or exceed the ACT scores listed above.

OR

If you have passed a college-level class (100 or higher) in the subject area, you do not need to take it, provided that you have sent official transcripts and they have been evaluated.

If you have completed an application for HCTC, you will receive a letter from the Admissions Office, indicating dates, times, and locations of the next testing sessions.

High School Student--The Placement test is Conditional:

If you wish to take English 101, you must have scored 18 or higher on this section of the ACT exam.

If you wish to take College Algebra, you must have scored 19 or higher on this section of the ACT exam.

If you have not taken the ACT or if you scored less than 18 on the English section and /or less than 19 on the Math sections, you must take this exam in those subject areas and meet all class prerequisites.

This test is not required for other classes; however, it can be taken for scholarship purposes.

Non-degree Student--The Placement Test is Conditional:

If you wish to take English 101, you must have scored 18 or higher on this section of the ACT exam.

If you wish to take College Algebra, you must have scored 19 or higher on this section of the ACT exam.

If you have not taken the ACT or if you scored less than 18 on the English section and /or less than 22 on the Math sections, you must take this test and meet all class prerequisites.

the test can also be taken for scholarship purposes.

International Student:

International students must complete the entire Placement Test unless available ACT or SAT scores exempt the student.

For more information contact:
Elbert E. Hagans, Student Affairs Specialist
(800) 246-7521 ext. 73178

*Students who would like to submit SAT scores should contact Scott Gross at (800) 246-7521 ext. 73528.

Students with Disabilities:

Students who request test accommodations because of a documented disability should contact Julie Caudill, the HCTC Director of Accessibility Services at (606) 487-3405. Upon referral from the Director of Accessibility Services, the Testing Center will arrange a test date.

• Reading
  The student is given one or more passages to read, and then answers questions about the passage.
  
  
• Writing
  The student is presented with an essay and asked to look for errors in grammar, punctuation, usage, and style.
  
  
• Mathematics
  The student solves problems which measure numerical, pre-algebra, and algebra skills. Some of the areas included are: basic operations with integers, fractions, decimals; exponents; ratios and proportions; percentages; and topics in elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, and coordinate geometry.

Students taking the placement test for the first time do not pay for the assessment.  Students who retest will be charged $5.50 for the Math test and $1.64 for the Reading or English/Language sections they retake.  To pay for the exams stop by the Testing Center for an invoice. Take the invoice to the Business Office in room 205 in the Jolly Classroom Center for payment. 

Many students find it helpful to review basic mathematics skills if they have not used them recently. For example, if it has been some time since the student has added, multiplied and divided fractions, he or she may want to practice these skills before taking the test. It is very important for the student to give a best effort on the assessment test to ensure accurate placement and advisement.

The placement test is given at scheduled times throughout the year. Students are encouraged to take the test as early as possible. Your application should be submitted to the Office of Admissions before taking the test.

 

Students working toward a particular goal with their placement test scores may request a retest. To schedule a retest, call the HCTC Testing Center on the Hazard Campus for prior approval (606) 487-3406. Testing fees are payable at the HCTC Business Office located in Room 205 of the Jolly Classroom Center. students who retest will be charged $5.50 for the Math test and $1.64 for the Reading or English/Language sections they retake. To pay for the exams, stop by the Testing Center for an invoice. Take the invoice to the Business Office in room 205 in the Jolly Classroom Center for payment.