English Placement Testing

All new degree seeking students are required to demonstrate initial placement levels in Writing, Reading, Math and Geometry upon entry to the College in order to register for their first semester.

Additionally, any student wishing to register for English and/or Math courses may also need to demonstrate specific placement levels in order to satisfy a particular course prerequisite.

The English Placement test is available online, through your MyHarper Student Portal under the "Registration and Records" area or by following this link. Make sure you're accessing the test with following requirements:

• A desktop computer, laptop computer or Chromebook (tablets and smartphones will not work)
• A webcam
• Stable internet connection
• Google Chrome web browser 
• HonorLock’s Google Chrome extension 

Click here for the step-by-step directions needed for accessing your English placement test. 

Yes, Students will be asked to provide a written response to a text they will read.  How they respond and engage the text will be reviewed by the English faculty rating the exam for reading comprehension.

Yes!  Students who provide a high school transcript (it does NOT need not be the final transcript - seventh-semester is permitted) showing a minimum, overall high school GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 4.0/5.0 will place directly into ENG 101. All high school coursework must be completed within the United States. 

Students who complete the Harper English Test may also use their high school GPA to improve their placement, if needed.

Yes!  Students can place into ENG 101 through ACT scores if they scored a minimum of 20 on the ACT Reading AND a minimum of 19 on the ACT English sub-scores.

Yes! Students can place into ENG 101 with a minimum score of 480 on the Evidence-based Reading and Writing sub-section of the SAT exam. 

Yes! Students can also use the  Preliminary SAT/PSAT test (PSAT 10 & PSAT NMSQT versions that are taken Sophomore year) as a method of placement. A minimum score of 480 on the Evidence-based Reading and Writing sub-section of the PSAT exam is required to place into ENG 101. 

You will be asked to respond to a reading passage using your best English writing. Topics will change periodically.

Students who do not achieve ENG 101 placement through ACT scores or high school GPA will complete the Harper English Test to determine placement.

No. Faculty who rate the responses will be reviewing the quality of the responses rather than the quantity.

Successful students will carefully consider the writing task and respond thoughtfully.

No.  Students may take the Harper English Test ONE time before starting coursework.

Yes. Persons with disabilities who may require accommodations should contact Access and Disability Services (ADS) in Building I, Room 103, or telephone at 847.925.6266 (voice callers) or 224.836.5048 (videophone for Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing callers).

Yes. Persons with disabilities who may require accommodations should contact Access and Disability Services in Building I, Room 103, or telephone at 847.925.6266 (voice callers) or 224.836.5048 (videophone for Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing callers).

Each Harper English Test response is rated by two Harper faculty members. If needed, a third faculty member will rate the essay to be certain the student is accurately placed.

You should do your best to produce an error-free document.

A valid photo ID is required for placement testing.  You will not be permitted to test without appropriate identification.  Acceptable forms of identification include:

• Driver's license
• State/Government ID
• School Photo ID
• Passport
• Other ID card which includes both your name and photo

• Relax→ The test is designed to help so that you can enroll in courses that are best suited for you. It is not pass/fail, and it is not timed.
• Concentrate on the test→ Focus on test questions and tune out distractions. You want to make the most out of your testing opportunity.
• Make sure you understand the directions→ Information is provided before you begin each section of the test, so make sure you read all directions. If you have questions, ask a member of the Testing Center staff.
• Do your best→ Use your knowledge, logic and common sense to work through the question, and have confidence in your ability to determine the best answer.

Typically, results are posted within two business days of taking the test. Immediately after testing, a "place-holder" score of 0.0 will be posted on the student's account. This not a true placement. It is merely an indicator that a test was completed and is in the process of receiving a final placement result. Once finalized, the placement results will be posted to the Test Score and Course Eligibility section of the MyHarper Student Portal. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm that the essay has been scored PRIOR to scheduling Orientation/Advising.

Students will be placed into the English classes that will help them develop the skills needed for success in college. We strongly encourage you to discuss your results with a counselor or advisor as an important first step in understanding your placement.

In extreme circumstances, students may appeal to the English Department Co-Chairs. However, we strongly encourage you to discuss your results with a counselor or advisor as an important first step in understanding your placement and what it means.  Our goal is to help all students be successful in college and it’s not uncommon for students to place into courses that will help prepare them for ENG 101.