Denise K. Carter, M.A.
Supervisor, Assessment Services
Room: D205
Telephone: 626-585-7272
Email:  dkcarter@pasadena.edu

The Pasadena City College Assessment Services Office provides placement testing for Chemistry, English, English as a Second Language (ESL) and mathematics.  The Chemistry exam is available for students who require Chemistry 1A for their major.  First-time college students are required to take the English or ESL and math placement exams.  Some students may be exempt from the exam requirement such as, completion of an Associate's Degree or higher, etc.  Please review the exam Exemption Section below for further information.  Students who require a special testing accomodation due to a disability should contact the Assessment Office to inquire about the testing accomodation process. Once students are admitted to the college they will receive an Emailed PCC Admissions Notice with information on what their next step is and an assigned registration date/time.  It is critical that students begin completing the enrollment steps as soon as they recieve the PCC Admissions Notice.  Assessment Services provides a Make-Up Exam Service for full and part-time faculty and further information is available on this website. We also provide a number of specialty tests such as the Meyers Briggs, Campbell, MMPI, and Millon. A counselor (L104 or L108) can determine which specialty test a student may need to take. The student will need to provide Assessment Services with a referral card from their counselor in order to take a specialty test. The Assessment Office is located in Building D Room 205 . If you should have further questions please call 626-585-7272.  

Exam Exemptions

Students who would like to be considered for an exam exemption (See Exemptions Below) can fax a Pre-Requisite Clearance Form and supporting documents as indicated on the form to the Prerequisite Office.  If you are in the area you may submit your exam results or transcripts to the Prerequisite Office in Building L Room 103D.  It is critical that that students complete this process well in advance of their assigned registration date/time.  Not all courses or exam results are accepted.  If you have further questions please call the Prerequisite Office at 626-585-7951. 

• ACCUPLACER exam(s) taken at another college within the last year.  First-Time College Students must take the English or ESL and Math exams.  Students whose first language is not English or that have difficulty communicating or reading in English should take the English as a Second Language Exam (ESL).  Some colleges do not administer all exam sections listed below.  Any section(s) that were not taken will need to be completed at the PCC Assessment Office. 
• English:  ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension  and ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills
• English as a Second Language (ESL): ACCUPLACER LOEP Reading Skills,  ACCUPLACER LOEP Sentence Meaning, ACCUPLACER LOEP Language Use
• Math:  ACCUPLACER Elementary Algebra.  Students who score below a 43 on the Elementary Algebra section must take the Arithmetic Section. Students who score 84 or higher on the Elementary Algebra section must take the College Level Math exam. 
• Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam taken within the last year AND identified as college ready in English and/or math. Get EAP Results.  Conditional status not accepted.  Students who receive a College Ready Status for English and/or Math can register for college level courses; English 1A and Math 3.  Students who would like to be considered for higher Math courses will need to take the ACCUPLACER College Level Math Exam.   
• Successfully completed English or college level math courses at another college.
• Earned a Bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited educational institution.  Students who did not complete any English and/or math courses during their Bachelor's level course work will need to take the appropriate exam to determine course placement.
• Educational goal of "educational development/personal development/ interest."
• Enrolled in courses with no prerequisites AND enrolled in six units or fewer.
• ACT COMPASS, MDTP, EPT/ELM exam results are not accepted.

  First-Time College Student Requirements:  Student Success Act (SB 1456)

The Student Success Act (SB 1456) requires all first-time college students to complete the steps below to receive Early Priority Registration for fall 2014.  Students who do not complete these steps will receive a later registration date/time.  Classes fill quickly, do not delay with completing the steps. 

1. Complete the New Student Online Orientation.  The orientation must be completed before testing.  Please be advised, the orientation record will be checked to see whether students have completed the entire Orientation process. 
2. Take your English or ESL and Math Placement Tests. Students should review the Test Preparation information below before taking the exam. 
3. Create an Educational Plan by Attending a New Student Group Counseling Session. 
4. Students must not have completed 100 or more degree applicable units.
5. Declare a major by the time you earn 30 units. 

Required Items for Testing

• First-Time College Students must complete the New Student Online Orientation at www.pasadena.edu/orientation before testing.  Please be advised the orientation must be completed to receive priority registration.  Student orientation records will be checked to see whether entire Orientation process was completed. Students who do not complete the process will receive a later registration date/time 
• Valid Photo ID (Driver’s License, High School ID, Passport, LancerPoint Photo ID, etc.).  No photocopies of identification or electronic versions will be accepted
• LancerPoint ID Number (Listed on PCC Emailed Admissions Notice), 8 digit number
• Pencil or Pen
• $2.00 for parking if you plan to park on campus 

Exam Result Information

• Exam results are provided at the Assessment Office following the test session and are available on LancerPoint. 
• During the months of June, July and August, first-time college students will be provided their exam results during a scheduled group counseling session .  Continuing students will be provided exam results following their test session.  Bring your LancerPoint Photo ID for confirmation of Continuing Student Status.
• Exam results are valid for two years if the exam was taken at PCC.
• Exam results cannot be provided to students via telephone, email or fax. 
• Exam results are not provided to other colleges via fax, mail, etc.  Please take the exam at the college that you plan to attend.

Testing Hours (English, ESL and Math):  Walk-In Testing

Monday - Thursday:  8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Friday:  8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Testing hours are subject to change without notice.  Check this website for updates before arriving.  Closed on weekends and major holidays.

• Walk-in testing (First-Come, First-Served) is available for English, ESL and Math during the months of September through May.  No appointments are available during these months.  During the months of June, July and August an online appointment is required for testing.
• Monday - Thursday:  If exam is not completed by 6:15 p.m., the session will be saved and will need to be completed at another time.
• Friday:  If exam is not completed by 3:45 p.m., the session will be saved and will need to be completed at another time. 
• During the fall and spring semesters special group testing sessions are held and testing hours have been changed on the dates mentioned below.  All other dates not mentioned, Regular Testing Hours available.
• September 15:  12:30 - 5:00 p.m.
• September 22-26:  8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• September 29:  1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• September 30:  8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• October 1, 2, 3, 6, 7:  8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• October 20:  12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• November 3 : 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• November 6:  No testing available on this day.
• November 7:  No testing available on this day.
• November 24:  12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• December 1:  8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
• December 8:  12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Chemistry Exam Testing Information

 

• Chemistry exam administered promptly at 9:30 a.m., Monday - Friday (First-Come, First-Served Basis). Exam is for students who require Chemistry 1A for their major. No late admittance, no exceptions.  Please arrive 15 minutes early to assure prompt arrival. 
• During the fall and spring semesters special group testing sessions are held and testing hours have been changed on the dates mentioned above. 
• Testing hours are subject to change without notice.  Check this website for updates before arriving.  Closed on weekends and major holidays.

  Instructor Make-Up Exam Testing Information

• Instructor Make-Up exam administered promptly at 1:30 p.m., Monday - Friday (First-Come, First-Served Basis).  Service is for current PCC Students enrolled in a course and missed exam due to illness, etc. Instructor will need to set-up the testing session for students.  Students must arrive with adequate time to complete the exam based on your Instructor's specific instructions.  No late admittance, no exceptions.  Please arrive 15 minutes early to assure prompt arrival. 
• During the fall and spring semesters special group testing sessions are held and testing hours have been changed on the dates mentioned above. 
• Testing hours are subject to change without notice.  Check this website for updates before arriving.  Closed on weekends and major holidays.
• For further information, click on Make-Up Exam information link on the right of this website.

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday:  8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Friday:  8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Office hours are subject to change without notice.  Please check this website for updates before arriving for services.   Closed on weekends and major holidays.  Office closes promptly at the times posted.     

• During the fall and spring semesters special group testing sessions are held and office hours have been changed on the dates mentioned below.  All other dates not mentioned, Regular Office Hours available.
• September 15:  9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• September 22-26:  8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• September 29:  9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• September 30:  8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• October 1, 2, 3, 6, 7:  8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• October 20:  9:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m.
• November 3: 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• November 6:  9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• November 7:  9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• November 24 :  9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• December 1:  8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• December 8:  9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Prepare For Your Future Today!  (Test Preparation Information)

The placement exams provide students with information on where they should begin coursework at the college.  Before taking the exams, students should review the exam preparation materials listed below to receive the highest course placement and to avoid delays with graduation and/or transfer.       

• Pre-Assessment Workshop and Study Session (PAWS) are available to assist with preparing for the exams PAWS sign-up information.  Students will learn about the look and feel of the ACCUPLACER placement exams.  If you have further questions please contact the Learning Assistance Center at (626) 585-7230.   
• Review free sample test questions (Provided by the College Board).  Review Reading Comprehension, Sentence Skills, Arithmetic, Elementary Algebra and College Level Math sections.
• If English is not your first language or if you have difficulty communicating or reading in English review Reading Skills, Sentence Meaning and Language Use sections.
• iPhone Users may purchase the new ACCUPLACER APP at iTunes Store for $1.99. (Provided by the College Board)
• Take the free Khan Academy Math Pre-Test. 
• Take free Math Diagnostic Exam (ALEKS) - Your ALEKS trial will allow you to explore the ALEKS Student Module for three hours anytime during the next 48 hours. Follow the instructions below for ALEKS Exam Access. (Provided by ALEKS Corporation) 
• Install ALEKS Plug-In
• Under Student Module Option Click on Try ALEKS Now Button (User Agreement will need to be accepted to take exam)
• 1) Enter Name, Email, etc. 2) Select I'm a Student, 3) Select Higher Education Math 4) Select Beginning and Intermediate Combined OptionAdditional review materials are available by clicking on the links to the right for English, ESL and math.

Exam Session Checklist 

1. Apply for Admission Continuing students do not need to reapply, except K-12 students.  Student who have not attended PCC for a semester or more will need to reapply. (Required) 
2. Complete the New Student Online Orientation before testing (Required).

Exam Format and Length

• The ACCUPLACER English, ESL and math placement exams are computerized, multiple-choice with no time limit.  It takes approximately 2 to 3 hours to complete two exams and 1 to 1 1/2 hours to complete one exam.  Dictionaries, calculators and other aides are not permitted. Scratch paper will be provided.
• Plan adequate time to complete the exam(s).
• The Chemistry placement exam is paper/pencil, multiple-choice and is timed:  45 minutes to complete 44 items.  A basic calculator (Addition, Subtraction, etc.) can be used and will be provided only for the Chemistry exam.  Graphing calculators are not permitted for use.

Exam Policies

• Students must wait a minimum of eight weeks to retake the placement exam.  
• Exams may only be retaken once in a one-year period.
• The placement test cannot be used to skip to a higher level class, once you begin a course sequence in English, ESL or math you must continue with the next course in the sequence.
• No food, drinks or visitors permitted in the testing room.  Please do not sit on stairs or in front of emergency doors.  
• The Assessment staff cannot disclose whether a student is testing or still in the testing room.  Please make arrangements before testing on where to meet once testing is completed.

Fall Semester

Revised September 2, 2014 by dkcarter@pasadena.edu