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Placement Testing Information
Note: We STRONGLY encourage you to review Math before testing. This may keep you from scheduling a second time to retest in Math. You are not allowed to use a calculator on most of the Math so study without one. Please use the Math Review Sheets to score the best you can.
Which placement tests should I take?
- If you are a new student you MUST at least take the reading test.
Most students also take the sentence skills and math tests. If you plan to take writing classes, and have not taken a prerequisite class, you MUST take the reading and sentence skills tests. If you plan to take math classes and have not taken the prerequisite classes or the placement tests within a year (last 4 terms), you MUST take the appropriate math test. Some majors (for example, Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Culinary, etc.) need specific placement testing. Be sure to check with your academic advisor and the application to your program to see what tests you need.
Requirements sometimes change. Many courses have specific math pre-requisites.
- Check the schedule of courses, the college catalogue, AND with your advisor to make sure you are taking the proper placement tests for the courses you need.
How soon after testing can I register for classes?
- Please make your appointment to test well in advance of your registration time.
After you test, your scores will be entered into your academic record no later than the next day.
You should be able to register the day registration opens if you tested the day before or earlier.
What if I have general prior college experience?
- If you have done prior college writing or math successfully at another school it may be possible to receive a testing waiver for some of your placement testing. Please email the Testing Office at testingoffice@lanecc.edu or call 541-463-5324 with the following information and be prepared to answer questions about prior college:
- L number
- Total number of college credits completed
- Type of degree completed if applicable
- Overall college grade point average
Do I need to take the Math placement test if I have taken Math previously?
- If you have taken a Math course at Lane within the past 4 terms, you are able to register for the next course now. If it has been more than one year (past 4 terms) since your last Math course, you must take a Math placement test to enroll in a Math class at Lane. Important! If you have taken a math course at another college within the past year (past 4 terms), you DO NOT need to take the Math placement test. Take an unofficial transcript to the Mathematics Division (Bldg. 16, Rm. 166; 541-463-5392) to be cleared for the next course in the Math sequence.
How do I get a Pre-Requisite override for college level Writing I've previously taken?
- If you are planning on taking classes with a writing pre-requisite at Lane, and have taken the equivalent of WR121, take an unofficial transcript to the Literature, Language and Communication Division (Center building, Rm. 457; 541-463-5419) to get a pre-requisite override.
How much will the placement test cost?
- Placement testing in Reading, Writing, and Math is free for LCC students and prospective students. If you are planning on becoming a student at Lane Community College, please fill out an online admissions form, wait to recieve your student L number (usually 24 hours) and make a testing appointment (see below) before coming in to the Testing Office to take the placement tests in Reading, Writing, and Math.
- We are unable to release placement test scores to other institutions without written permission.
Which placement tests are available?
- Accuplacer/CPTS Reading Comprehension Test, a computer administered test, 20 questions, multiple choice, untimed, instant scoring Accuplacer/CPTS Sentence Skills Test, a computer administered test, 20 questions, multiple choice, untimed, instant scoring Arithmetic and Algebra Placement Test, either a computer administered or a paper-and-pencil test. It places students into courses from Math 10 up to College Algebra and covers basic arithmetic, advanced arithmetic, introductory algebra and intermediate algebra. Before taking the Arithmetic and Algebra Math Test it is helpful to review math concepts on the Math Review Sheets which may be purchased at the LCC bookstore, or view the review sheets online at no charge College Level Math Test, now available on computer, places students into Trigonometry, Calculus, Linear Algebra, & Statistics. Writing 121 Waiver Exam information
- SkillCheck Grammar & Proofreading test for BA 214 (checks grammar & proofreading skills/knowledge for Business Communications, BA 214).
How does the ABILITY-TO-BENEFIT test relate to the placement tests?
- Students who lack a high school diploma or GED and need to meet the requirements for Financial Aid, must take the Accuplacer Ability-To-Benefit test. This test can only be taken on the computer so some basic computer skills are necessary. The test consists of three parts – reading, sentence skills, and arithmetic. All three parts of the test must be taken during one test experience. The Ability-To-Benefit test can only be taken at the Testing Office on the 30th avenue campus. No calculators are allowed for the arithmetic section. Allow two hours to complete the three parts required to meet federal financial aid requirements. You cannot use the LCC math placement test to meet the Ability-To-Benefit requirements. You are allowed one retest, but you will be required to take all three tests again in one test session.
You will have to wait 3 months before you can take a second retest.
- If you already have a high school diploma or a GED, you only need a satisfactory score on the Reading Comprehension test to qualify for financial aid.
- Note: Beginning July 1, 2011 the Department of Education has required the following changes for the Ability to Benefit test. You will need to make an appointment online. You will be required to bring a government issued ID such as your driver’s license, DMV ID card, passport or other official picture ID. Only students taking the Ability to Benefit test will be allowed in the testing room. A proctor will be in the room while you test. This test will only be given a few times a month. You will see the schedule when signing up for the test.
Retests: What are the rules?
- Reading test - You MUST wait 3 months to retest in reading. Retests may be taken sooner when authorized by a counselor working with the Guided Studies program or with ESL/International students.
- Sentence Skills test - You MUST wait 3 months to retest in writing. If you test into WR115 and your purpose is to enroll in WR121, go to the English Department in the Center Building and they will have you write an essay that will be rated by an instructor.
- Math test - You may retest as soon as the next day. If you do not achieve your goal on this second try, you should take the recommended course or wait three months to retest again.
You may view the Math Review Sheets online or they may be purchased at the LCC Bookstore.
Also see our page of study resources and study tips.
What if I need to take the test but do not plan on being a Lane student?
- If you need to take the Reading, Writing, or Math placement tests, but are NOT planning on becoming a Lane CC student, or if you want to take the tests and have your scores sent to another school, please contact the Testing Office at TestingOffice@lanecc.edu or by calling
(541) 463-5324.
How can I prepare for the placement tests?
- The purpose of the tests is to help you identify what your abilities are now so you can choose the courses best fit for you to succeed academically.
- For the Reading and Sentence Skills tests there are no readily available materials for studying, other than commercial preparation books for the SAT and ACT and GED tests. Look for chapters on reading comprehension and sentence structure. You can also search the Internet for “test preparation” or “Accuplacer practice” and find sample questions for the Accuplacer™ tests.
- You will find that the Math tests match what is taught in prerequisite Math courses. You may view the Math Review Sheets online or buy them at the Lane Titanstore.
- Also see the links on our Study Strategy webpage.
What are good strategies for taking computer-administered tests?
- Accuplacer is an “adaptive" test. It gives you one question at a time.
You must answer every question it presents. When you get a question correct, the computer adapts by giving a harder question worth more points for the next question. A wrong answer gives you an easier question worth fewer points for the next question. Be sure to try to the best of your ability on each question. Work carefully at a medium speed, pay attention, and avoid missing questions that you could have gotten correct. See sample questions and test strategies for Accuplacer on the Accuplacer student guide at: Accuplacer for students. The Math placement test is not adaptive. We have work stations for left-handed people, NOVA desks for people more comfortable looking down at a monitor, and paper and pencil tests for people who are uncomfortable with computers.
- Please ask if you need special accommodations or have special concerns.
What about dictionaries, calculators and notes?
- Students who learned English as their second language are encouraged to use a translation dictionary between English and your native language. You should not take the tests without using a dictionary because if you receive low scores you must wait 3 months to retest. We have dictionaries in a variety of languages, please ask us if you need one. Calculators may be used on parts of the Math tests. Ask at the Testing Office.
- Notes, Math Review Sheets, and study aids may NOT be used while testing.
Schedule and check testing appointment availability (you must have an L number)
Schedule an appointment for MATH RETESTING ONLY
If you need assistance, contact Testing at: TestingOffice@lanecc.edu.
If you have a documented disability, we will work with you and Disability Resources to provide you with approved accommodations.
This information is available in alternate formats upon request by contacting Disability Resources: (541) 463-5150 (voice), 463-3079 (TTY), or email: disabilityresources@lanecc.edu
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