Harper College

Testing Center

The Testing Center is responsible for the coordination and administration of course placement testing and other testing programs available to Harper College students. All new degree-seeking students are required to participate in an orientation program that includes placement testing. New degree-seeking students assess their academic skills in writing, reading and mathematics through this battery of tests. Tests for distance learning/web-based courses, proficiency and CLEP testing as well as entrance examinations for limited enrollment programs are coordinated in this office as well.

Assessment Testing and Placement

Harper College has a placement testing policy in place that requires all new degree-seeking students to complete English and math placement tests. Also, students entering their first English and/or math courses are also required to complete appropriate placement test(s).

The placement testing goals are:

  1. To inform students about their competency levels in English and math.
  2. To place students in the English and math courses in which they have the best opportunity for success.

Students who place at the developmental level in either subject area are required to enroll in at least one developmental course their first semester and every subsequent semester until the respective initial college-level course is reached.

Degree-seeking students who do not meet the minimum requirements for developmental reading placement will be placed in a continuing education class to develop the required reading skills before entering the developmental English curriculum or any other college-level course that requires proficiency in reading comprehension.

Details of the mandatory placement testing and placement policy, including options for waiving testing, are available in the Testing Center or on the Testing Center webpage.

Last Updated: 2/13/24