Below are the many ways an applicant can become College Ready in English and math at Harper College.
| Method of College Readiness | Expiration |
| SAT Evidence-based Reading & Writing subscore of 480 or higher | Scores valid for 3 years from when they were taken |
| ACT English subscore of 19 or higher and ACT Reading subscore of 20 higher | Scores valid for 3 years from when they were taken |
| Cumulative unweighted high school GPA (7th semester or later) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale or 4.0 or higher on a 5.0 scale | No expiration |
| Passing grade ("C-" or better) in an aligned English course administered at participating District 211, 214, and 220 high schools | Results valid for 3 years from when they were taken |
| Successful completion of a college-level, Harper College English Dual Credit course | No expiration |
| Transfer college-level English course from another institution with a grade of "C" or better | No expiration |
| Receiving a score of "3" or higher on the AP English Language & Composition or the AP English Literature & Composition exams | No expiration |
| Receiving a score of "4.0" or higher on Harper College's English placement test | Scores valid for 3 years from when they were taken |
| Receiving a score of "165" or higher on the "Reasoning Through Language Arts" section of the GED | No expiration |
| Method of College Readiness | Expiration |
| SAT Math subscore of 530 or higher | Scores valid for 18 months from when they were taken |
| ACT Math subscore of 22 or higher | Scores valid for 18 months from when they were taken |
| Cumulative unweighted high school GPA (7th semester or later) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale or 4.0 or higher on a 5.0 scale and a "C" or better from a 4th year high school math course. All math courses must be NCAA eligible | Results valid for 18 months from high school graduation |
| Passing grade ("C-" or better) in an aligned MTH080 course administered at participating District 211 and 214 high schools | Results valid for 18 months from when the course was completed |
| Passing grade ("C-" or better) on the final exam from an aligned MTH080 course administered at participating District 211, 214, and 220 high schools | Results valid for 18 months from when the exam was taken |
| Cumulative, two semester "C-" or better grade in the state-wide high school portable transitional math course | Results valid for 18 months from when the course was taken |
| Successful completion of a college-level, Harper College Math Dual Credit course | No expiration |
| Transfer college-level Math course from another institution with a grade of "C" or better | No expiration |
| Receiving a score of "3" or higher on the AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, or AP Statistics exams | No expiration |
| Receiving a score of "52" or higher on the CLEP Calculus, College Algebra, College Mathematics, or Precalculus exams | No expiration |
| Receiving a score of 46 or higher on a proctored attempt of the ALEKS Math Placement Test | Scores valid for 18 months from when they were taken |
| Receiving a score of "165" or higher on the "Math" section of the GED | Scores valid for 18 months from when they were taken |
