Placement Test Waivers

Placement Test Waivers

You don’t have to take the placement test if you meet any of the following conditions.

Guest Student

If you are a Guest student, you’re not required to placement test.

Non-Degree Student

If you are a Non-Degree student, you may choose to placement test or register without taking a placement testing.

Prior College Credit

If you’ve earned a C or higher in a college-level English course at another college or university, you are not required to take the Reading or Writing placement tests. A college transcript is required before the placement test can be waived. Send your transcript to admissions@racc.edu.

If you have earned a C or higher in a college-level Math course at another college or university, you will not be required to take the Math placement test. A college transcript is required before the placement test can be waived. Send your transcript to admissions@racc.edu.

Please note: you may still need to take additional college-level Math or English courses depending upon your program of study. More information will be provided in your transfer evaluation once we receive your official transcript.

Prior RACC Enrollment

If you have previous RACC credits and are returning to RACC after some time away, you will not take the placement test for any subject (Reading, Writing or Math) if you completed the courses you placed into during your prior enrollment. An advisor will help you select the appropriate courses based on your student record and intended major of study.

SAT Scores

Students are exempt from the portions of the placement test with the following documented SAT scores:

  • Critical Reading – 480 + Exempt from Reading Placement Testing
  • Writing – 480+ Exempt from Writing Placement Testing
  • Verbal (Critical Reading & Writing) – 480+ Exempt from both Reading and Writing Placement Testing
  • Math – 480+ Exempt from Math Placement Testing. Specific college-level math placement will be determined based on SAT score and the student’s program requirements.

A College Board SAT Score Report or high school transcript displaying the SAT score is required before the placement test can be waived. SAT exams must have been taken within the past five (5) years. Please send the transcript to admissions@racc.edu.

ACT Scores

ACT scores of 19+ taken in the last five years will exempt students from reading, writing and math placement testing.

Prior Placement Test Scores

If you have taken the placement test at RACC within the last 2 years but have not enrolled at RACC since you tested, you will not be required to retest. Instead, you will register for classes based on your prior test scores.

AP Exam Scores

If you have earned a 3 or higher on the AP English exam, you may not be required to take the Reading or Writing placement tests. A College Board AP Score Report or high school transcript displaying the AP exam score is required before the placement test can be waived. Please note: An AP English exam score of 4 or higher is required to earn credit for English Composition (COM 121). If you scored a 3, you will be placed into English Composition (COM 121).

If you have earned a 3 or higher on the AP Calculus or AP Statistics exam, you will not be required to take the Math placement test. A College Board AP Score Report or high school transcript displaying the AP exam score is required before the placement test can be waived. Visit the Assessment page for a complete list of articulated credits for AP exams.

CLEP Exams

If you’ve received a passing score on a CLEP exam for a math or writing course you do not have to take a placement test. Send the transcript of your score to admissions@racc.edu.

High School Transcripts

If you’ve graduated high school in the last five years you can be placed using your high school transcript into math and writing classes. Contact your high school and have them send the transcript to admissions@racc.edu. You will be placed based on your high school GPA. If you don’t believe your GPA doesn’t indicate your academic capabilities, you can take a placement test instead.

GED Scores

If you’ve received a GED in the last five years you can be placed using your GED transcript into math and writing classes. Please send your GED transcript to admissions@racc.edu. If you don’t believe your score indicate your academic abilities, you can take a placement test instead.

Self-Reported High School GPA

If you’ve graduated high school in the last five years and you’re having difficulty getting your high school transcript, you can fill out a self-reported high school form.