Testing & Assessment Center
Mission Statement
The Testing and Assessment Center is dedicated to promoting the academic goals and mission of the college and the division by providing placement testing and information on courses placement and relevant counseling and academic support services essential to student success.
Attention students with disabilities
If you have a documented disability, submitted documentation to Accessibility Services, and require assistance with the questionnaire or placement testing services, please contact Accessibility Services at [email protected].
Standards and Guidelines
The Testing Center Subscribes to National College Testing Association (NTCA) Professional Standards and Guidelines.
General Assistance and Inquiry Hours
Monday-Friday: 8:30am – 4:45pm
In-Person Testing Hours for Ability to Benefit or Challenge Exams (Arrival Times)
Monday-Friday: 8:30am – 1:00pm
How to’s & FAQs
On-campus placement testing and Directed Self-Placement (DSP) Questionnaire assistance is being offered at Westchester Community College at the Valhalla Campus.Placement Exams and DSP assistance are scheduled each week on Monday to Friday with an arrival time between 8:30 and 1:00PM. To schedule your on-campus appointment at the Testing and Assessment Center, please email us at [email protected]. or call us at 914-606-6969.
Please note the following: You MUST have a valid photo identification to arrive on campus and take the placement exam.
- You are allowed to attempt a challenge exam a maximum of two times before the start of the academic semester, with a total limit of three attempts within an academic year.
- After you have attempted a course within a specific academic discipline, you will not be eligible for further retesting in that subject area.
- Students who previously took a course five or more years ago will undergo a reevaluation of their academic placement.
Identification Requirements
You will need to show photo ID before sitting for a placement exam. Acceptable forms of photo identification include: a current driver’s license, current state-approved ID, middle school ID, high school ID, college ID, current federal ID, current passport, tribal ID, naturalization card or certificate of citizenship. Digital copies of photo identification are NOT accepted.
Application must be submitted and processed
To take the placement exam your application must be processed by the Admissions Office prior to taking the Placement Exam. You will receive a Student ID number from admissions. We ask that you bring this ID number when you come for Placement Testing.
Prohibited Testing Items
No calculator, food, beverage, cell phones, scrap paper, books or other materials are permitted in the testing room. If you have a smart watch, you will be asked to turn it off and securely put it away.
Arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled Testing time
The session starts promptly. If you arrive late, you will not be seated and asked to come back at another time.
The session starts promptly. If you arrive late, you will not be seated and asked to come back at another time.
If you meet any of the following criteria, you can waive the English/Math placement
English and Reading Placement Assessment
- Submit an official transcript from a regionally accredited college or university to confirm that you completed a 3-credit college-level English course equivalent to our ENG 101 (Writing and Research) with a grade of C or better
- Submit an official transcript to confirm that you have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States
- SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing score of 550 or higher (after March 1, 2016)
- ACT English score of 23 or higher
- New York State English regents of 85 or higher
- Applicable English AP exam score of 3 or higher (receive college credit)
- Graduated and completed at least three years in a US High School with an overall high school GPA of 85% or 3.1
Mathematics Placement Assessment
- Submit an official transcript from an accredited college/university to confirm that you have completed a credit-bearing college-level mathematics course with a grade of C or better
- SAT Math score of 530 or higher (after March 1, 2016)
- ACT Math score of 22 or higher
- Applicable Mathematics AP exam score of 3 or higher (receive college credit)
- New York State Mathematics regents of 80 or higher on one of the following Regents Exams (Algebra 1, Algebra 2, or Geometry)
Waivers
- Students using SAT/ACT scores must have taken the exam in the past 5 years
- Students using Regents scores must have graduated high school in the past 3 years
- Students using High School GPA must have graduated a United States high school in the past 10 years
All applicants must have their high school send an official transcript to the Office of Admissions. Official transcripts may be sent from the high school to the college by mail or email to [email protected] . If your high school is unable to send an official transcript via email to the college, you must bring your original high school diploma in person to the Admissions Office located in the Administration Building, Room 210. GED diploma recipients must bring their original GED diploma and scores in person.
Unofficial SAT/ACT scores may be submitted to the Office of Admissions in person or emailed to [email protected]
Students that take courses through the English Language Institute Students will receive a placement recommendation at the completion of their ESL program. To contact the English Language Institute, please request an appointment on our website at The English Language Institute.
There is a $20.00 Placement and Assessment Fee. It is billed directly after the completion of the assessment and may be paid at the time of registration. This is a one-time fee that covers all placement assessments; including the Directed Self-Placement Questionnaires and Challenge, Ability to Benefit, and Early Admit Exams. For more information on fees please visit: