Ability to Benefit Testing

Note:  Starting 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 this test will be allowed in the 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.

The Federal Department of Education requires that students who want to receive federal financial aid and who do not have a high school diploma or a GED demonstrate their "ability to benefit" from college work. Consequently, Lane requires such students to take the Accuplacer/CPTS tests on reading, sentence skills and arithmetic. The Accuplacer reading and writing tests are the same tests that everyone takes for placement, but the Accuplacer Arithmetic test is a different test than the regular LCC math placement test.

A Few Rules and Advice

•  You cannot use regular Math placement tests to meet the ability-to-benefit requirements.
•  You may take ability-to-benefit tests at the Main Campus only.
•  You must take and pass all three tests in a single testing experience.
•  If you don't pass all three tests on your first attempt, you may study and retest as soon as you choose, but you must retest on all three tests even you passed one or two.
  Thereafter, you must wait three months before retesting.
• Allow at least two hours.
• No calculators allowed on Accuplacer Arithmetic.
• No translation dictionaries allowed when testing for ability-to-benefit purposes.
• 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.
• If you do not pass the ability-to-benefit tests, consider studying for the GED at one of Lane's many GED prep classes.
• If you have a documented disability, we will work with you and Disability Resourses to provide you with approved accommodations.