Placement Testing and Developmental Education Policies
Howard Community College’s faculty and staff are committed to student success. Research has shown that students with reading, writing, and mathematics skills below the college level are at great risk of failing college coursework. Therefore, the college requires students to take reading, writing, and mathematics placement tests in order to place them in courses appropriate to their skill level unless students qualify for an exemption as explained below. Information about placement testing is also available on the college website (www.howardcc.edu/testcenter).
Mandatory Placement Testing Policies
Students planning to enroll in courses requiring English or mathematics prerequisites are required to prove placement into appropriate levels. Placement can be acquired via standardized testing, High school coursework and previous college coursework taken at accredited institutions.
All students have the ability to take HCC’s placement examination in order to attempt higher placement. Students are permitted to test up to two times and cannot test after attempting coursework in the relevant subject. Placement scores are valid for up to 5 years.
For more information about placement testing and other measures for placement, please see the Test Center website. Students should contact the office of Advising (advising@howardcc.edu) to discuss individual placement test exemptions.
Mandatory Developmental Education Courses
Students who require developmental education or basic skills coursework should enroll in the appropriate course(s). The required developmental education and basic skill sequence varies for each student based upon their skills in English and mathematics. Enrollment in developmental education or basic skills courses should continue each semester until the required sequence is completed.