Frequently Asked Questions FAQs

  1. Do I need to take a placement or proficiency test?
  2. Who is exempt from taking an Academic Skills Assessment?
  3. Do I need to register to take a test?
  4. If I do not have a social security number, may I still take the test?
  5. What do I do if I have a disability?
  6. When can I take a test?
  7. What happens on the day of the test?
  8. Where can I pick up my test results?
  9. Can I retake the test?
  10. What are the components of each test?
  11. Will I need to write an essay?
  12. May I use a dictionary, calculators or any other resources?
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  1. Do I need to take a placement or proficiency test? You may need to take an Academic Skills Assessment test if you:
    • Are a first time college student or a non-exempt student who planning to earn a degree and/or certificate, and/or transfer.
    • Are a first time college student or a non-exempt student who planning to earn a degree and/or certificate, and/or transfer.
    • Are a continuing student who has not taken the test and are taking courses with a prerequisite in English, English-as-a-Second Language, Reading and/or Math are also required to take the placement test before registration in those courses.
    • If you are applying for the Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technician Programs.
    • If you are applying for A.T.B. (Financial Aid "Ability to Benefit" Program).
  2. Who is exempt from taking an Academic Skills Assessment? You may not need to take the assessment test if you:
    • Have completed an AA/AS degree or higher at a U.S. college or university.
    • Plan to enroll in courses without ESL, Reading, English, or Math skills prerequisites.
    • Have completed an agreement with the Counseling Office (Room E1-301) for an acceptable Alternative Form of Assessment. (e.g., SAT scores, transcripts from another college, etc.)
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  3. Do I need to register to take a test? If you have not already done so, complete and submit the Application for Admission (see Registration Procedures) and obtain your Mission College Student I.D. number. (Does not apply to concurrently enrolled high school students). Using your Mission College I.D. number, reserve a seat at an appropriate test (see Test Schedules), by going to the Counseling Office (room E1-301) or by phone (408) 855-5030. You must reserve a seat at least two working days in advance of your chosen test session. [Note: If you are a non-native speaker (English was not the first language you learned) we recommend taking the ESL (English As A Second Language) Test.
  4. If I do not have a social security number, may I still take the test? If you do not have a social security number, you may get a temporary student identification number in the Admissions & Records Office.
  5. What do I do if I have a disability? If you need assistance, contact the Disability Instructional Support Center well in advance. Call 408-855-5085 or TTY 408-727-9243 for assistance.
  6. When can I take a test? The test sessions change from semester to semester. Check the Test Schedules for the test combination that you are interested in and reserve a seat for ONE of the test dates through the Counseling Office by phone (408) 855-5030.

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  7. What happens on the day of the test? On the day of the test:
    1. Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled test time in order to check in.
    2. Allow approximately 3 hours for tests that include a math component; and 2 hours 30 minutes for the ESL or the Reading and English combined tests; 1 hour 30 minutes for Reading only tests; and 4 hours for assessment sessions that include an orientation.
    3. Bring one form of photo identification (i.e., student ID, driver's license, passport, or employment photo badge), along with your Mission College student identification card. Concurrently enrolled high school students must provide a signed Concurrent H.S. Enrollment Form.
    4. No children are allowed in the testing area, and children may not be left unattended on campus.
    5. To avoid a parking citation, please park only in designated college campus parking lots and properly display a semester or daily permit. Student parking is allowed in Lots A, B, C, and D. Daily permits may be purchased at any of the dispensers located in Lot D. Cost: $2.00
  8. Where can I pick up my test results? Test results must be picked up in person at the Counseling Office, Room E1-301. They will not be mailed or given over the phone. A photo ID is required.

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  9. Can I retake the test? You may take an English, ESL, Reading, or Math placement test, as appropriate, but no more than three times during the same year (i.e., during the last 365 days). The prerequisite challenge process may be an option to re-testing; see a counselor. If you have already enrolled in an English, ESL, or Reading class, you may not retake the placement test to skip classes. Instead, use the Prerequisite Challenge form process (see a counselor, Room E1-301).
  10. What are the components of each test? For a full description of each of the placement tests click on the links below.
  11. Will I need to write an essay? If you are taking the English As A Second Language test, you will need to write a 30 minute essay on an assigned topic.
  12. May I use a dictionary, calculators or any other resources? No, dictionaries, calculators nor any other resources are permitted during the tests.
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