Placement Requirements

Testing Information: ACT English ENSL Honors Program Learning Support Mathematics Online Class Testing Reading Regents SAT

Testing Schedules and Contact Information

Since every entering freshman may not need the same series of courses, the level of academic placement may vary. The College makes every effort to determine the appropriate level of beginning instruction for each student by requiring that students take appropriate placement examinations. After the assessment of strengths and weaknesses in English, reading, and mathematical skills, the student is placed in the proper sequence of courses. Placement examinations are given throughout the semester on all campuses. Students who have submitted an application for admission to the College will be mailed a letter inviting them to make an appointment to take the Compass placement tests. Non-native speakers of English should take the ESL Placement Tests in English and reading. They may take the mathematics section of the Compass placement examinations during the same testing session as the ESL Placement Tests. There is no retesting for COMPASS placement at Georgia Perimeter College unless 3 years have transpired since the initial testing date and no coursework has been attempted. 

Students with physical disabilities who need special testing assistance should call the District Coordinator of Testing to discuss their needs.

English and Reading

Placement Testing Criteria

All students will take the COMPASS English and Reading placement exams unless one of the following applies:

• They have transfer credit for a college level English course and no CPC deficiency in English;
• They have taken the COMPASS placement exam at another University System of Georgia institution within the last three years;
• They have taken either the COMPASS or ASSET placement exam at a SACS-COC accredited DTAE college and have attended that college within the last three years;
• They have submitted a Critical Reading score of 480 or higher on the national SAT or an English score of 20 or higher on the national ACT and no CPC deficiency in English;
• They have already exited Learning Support English and Reading at GPC or at another University System of Georgia institution;
• They were born or educated in a non-English speaking country*.

  * Students who were born or educated in a  non-English speaking country will take the ESL placement exam.

ENGLISH - Table for Compass Placement Scores effective summer 2007

COMPASS Test	64 or higher	Learning Support English not required
(COME) Score	51-63 50 or lower	ENGL 0099 ENGL 0098

READING - Table for Compass Placement Scores effective summer 2007

COMPASS Test	78 or higher	Learning Support Reading not required
(COMR) Score	70-77 69 or lower	READ 0098 READ 0097

Mathematics

Placement Testing Criteria

All students will take the COMPASS Mathematics placement exam unless one of the following applies:

• They have transfer credit for a college level mathematics course and no CPC deficiency in Mathematics;
• They have taken the COMPASS placement exam at another University System of Georgia institution within the last three years;
• They have taken either the COMPASS or ASSET placement exam at a SACS-COC accredited DTAE college and have attended that college within the last three years;
• They have already exited Learning Support mathematics at GPC or at another University System of Georgia institution.

MATHEMATICS - Table for Compass Placement Scores

COMPASS Test	37 or higher	College Level Mathematics
(COMM) Score	30 - 36 17 - 29  16 or lower	MATH 0098 MATH 0097 MATH 0096

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Learning Support

In keeping with the admissions policy of the University System of Georgia and Georgia Perimeter College, students who need a wide variety of Learning Support courses may be admitted to the College. Though many students qualify to enroll in credit courses along with Learning Support courses, others need a broad spectrum of Learning Support instruction and counseling to prepare them before they enroll in regular college-level course work. The Learning Support program provides a sequence of studies and academic support services. Consequently, a major purpose of the program is to assist students with developing their personal goals and appropriate curriculum plans. Special academic advisement and counseling are provided to speed the students' progress toward enrollment in college credit courses.

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ENSL

Students whose native language is not English must show proficiency in English before being admitted to the College as instructed by the office of International Student Admissions and Advising. Students who graduated from a high school outside the United States must present a satisfactory TOEFL score. Students with scores that admit them to Georgia Perimeter College will be given the ESL Placement Test before advisement and registration. The score on this test will be used to determine appropriate placement into ESL or English courses.

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Honors Program

For students with outstanding academic achievements, Georgia Perimeter College offers a number of honors courses that provide challenging intellectual experiences through close interaction with faculty members, small classes, and a stimulating curriculum. Students who meet any of the following criteria are eligible for the Honors Program:

• Composite national SAT I score of 1200 or national SAT I verbal score of 650 or national ACT English score of 30 or national ACT mathematics score of 27.
• Transfer students with a 3.5 GPA and 9 or more college transfer credit hours.
• National Merit semifinalists.
• Phi Theta Kappa eligibility.
• Faculty recommendation and Honors Coordinator approval.

For more information about placement see Georgia Perimeter College Catalog, or email an Advisor.