Placement Test and Assessment Information
Placement Test and Assessment Information | Test Dates
Cañada College utilizes computerized testing for all its placement tests (Math, English, and ESL). The tests are in an adaptive format that adjusts the difficulty of the test to the skills of the individual student, eliminating questions that are too easy or too difficult. This reduces the number of questions asked and the time it takes to do the test, while maintaining the accuracy of the exam. The tests are un-timed. The average length of time varies from forty-five minutes to one and a half hours (for the entire battery of tests) depending on individual students. Calculator use is permitted on the mathematics tests using the built in calculator on the computer system or your personal calculator, provided it is not capable of graphing. Please note: if you have no computer skills there is the option to take a tutorial on how to use a computers mouse to take the test at the beginning of each exam. In addition, if you wish to see examples of the types of questions that are asked on the tests visit: http://www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html
Important! Complete the placement tests early to secure your registration into a class.
Saturday Testing
Saturday testing is also available on selected dates. From the Placement Test Schedule, select a date to take a test. You may choose ANY DATE you want as all tests are available to take for any date listed. On the day of the test you must bring with you:
- PHOTO IDENTIFICATION
- YOUR STUDENT IDENTIFICATION (G NUMBER)
Placement Test Results
Your results will be available immediately after taking the placement test.
Testing Repeat Policy
Placement Tests: Assessment are designed to assess your current academic skills and used to determine course level placement in the areas of English, Reading, Writing, Mathematics and some business, computer science, and science courses. Assessment results are valid for two years. If a student does not accept the course placement results he/she may retake the same placement test once within a two-year period.
Reciprocity of Placement Results Policy
A student may submit, for course placement consideration, placement test results from another California Community College in lieu of taking the English and/or Mathematics placement tests at Cañada College. The placement test must have been taken within the last two years and the tests must be consistent with the Cañada College placement tests. It is the student's responsibility to provide placement test results that include test scores and course placements for consideration. In all cases the final decision to use other placement test results rests with the College. Any student who wishes to take ESL (English as a Second Language) classes must take the Cañada College ESL Placement test for course and level placement.
