Mandatory Assesment and Placement Testing

Most students enrolling for the first time at Colorado Northwestern Community College and seeking a degree or certificate will be tested in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. (Study Guides)

The following students are exempt from the requirement of assessment:

1. Students who have earned a Bachelor's or Associate's degree.
2. Students who have successfully completed basic skills instruction in mathematics, writing, or reading are exempt from the requirement for assessment in that subject area only.
3. Students who have successfully completed a college-level course in English are exempt from the requirement for assessment in English and reading.
4. Students who have successfully completed a college-level course in mathematics are exempt from the requirement for assessment in mathematics.
5. Students who have taken the ACT test within the two years prior to enrollment are exempt from assessment in that subject area only if they scored:

   English 18
   Reading 17
   Mathematics 19

   However, our past experiences indicate that a significant number of students who score higher than the scores listed but below 23 in English, Reading, and/or Mathematics experience difficulty in achieving success in college-level courses. If your relevant ACT scores fall within the 18/19-22 range, we strongly advise you to take the appropriate placement exam to ensure that you are placed into courses that optimize your likelihood of success in college.

6. Students who have taken the SAT test within the two years prior to enrollment are exempt from assessment in that subject area only if they scored:

   Verbal (English and Reading) 440
   Mathematics 460

   However, our past experiences indicate that a significant number of students who score higher than the scores listed but below 560 in Verbal and/or Mathematics experience difficulty in achieving success in college-level courses. If your relevant SAT scores fall within the 440/450-550 range, we strongly advise you to take the appropriate placement exam to ensure that you are placed into courses that optimize your likelihood of success in college.

7. Students who have taken one of the following college placement exams within the two years prior to enrollment are exempt from assessment in that subject area only if they scored:

   Reading
   Asset 41
   Accuplacer 80
   Compass 75
   
   Writing
   Asset 41
   Accuplacer (Sentence Skills) 95
   Compass 70
   
   Mathematics
   Asset (Intermediate Algebra) 41
   Accuplacer (Elementary Algebra) 85
   Compass (Algebra) 55

8. Students who are enrolled in a certificate program which does not require college-level English or math courses.
9. Secondary students who are enrolled in courses which do not require college-level reading, English, or math skills.

Colorado Northwestern Community College provides assessment testing before and during each regular semester and before and during the summer terms. The test cycle for these semesters concludes the final day of the late registration period. Individual and group appointments for testing may be scheduled by contacting the Coordinator of the Adult Learning Assistance Program (Craig), the Director of Learning Assistance (Rangely), the Director of Counseling and Career Services (Rangely), or a Service Area Director (Meeker, Hayden, South Routt).

There is a small fee for Accuplacer placement testing at Colorado Northwestern Community College. Students may re-test one time per semester during their attendance at CNCC; they will bear no additional cost for this re-testing.

Mandatory Placement

If a student's performance on a college placement exam indicates that the student needs basic skills instruction in reading, English and/or mathematics, the student must enroll in appropriate basic skills courses. Students will be responsible for completing basic skills coursework during their first thirty (30) credit hours of attendance at Colorado Northwestern Community College. Students with 30 or more attempted credit hours may not be eligible for Colorado funded aid for remedial courses.

Colorado Northwestern Community College offers the following basic skills courses in reading, English, and mathematics:

REA 060 Foundations of Reading
REA 090 College Preparatory Reading
ENG 060 Writing Fundamentals
ENG 090 Basic Composition
MAT 060 Pre-Algebra
MAT 090 Introductory Algebra

Basic skills courses and/or guided experiences are also offered online through the Colorado Community College Online Consortium (CCCOnline) and at the following Colorado colleges:

Arapahoe Community College Morgan Community College
Adams State College Mesa State College
Aims Community College Northeastern Junior College
Community College of Aurora Otero Junior College
Community College of Denver Pikes Peak Community College
Colorado Mountain College Pueblo Community College
Front Range Community College Red Rocks Community College
Lamar Community College Trinidad State Junior College

Basic skills courses are designed to help students develop the skills to be successful in college-level courses. However, they do not count toward graduation, and they will not transfer to a four-year institution.

Accuplacer Study Guides

• Study Guide Zone
  • This FREE self-guided site takes you through sample questions and review for all areas
    of the Accuplacer assessment. With tips, formulas, and key points, this site will guide
    you through a comprehensive review!
    
    
• The Accuplacer Online Student Guide
  • This FREE site provides an in-depth description about the exam with directions, sample
    test questions and an explanation of how the Accuplacer is scored.
    
    
• Math.com
  • This FREE site provides a comprehensive view into the wide world of math. From basic
    math and algebra through trigonometry and calculus, this amazing site provides you with
    self-paced tutoring for your entire math needs.
    
    
• Test Preview Prep
  • This FREE extensive site provides a description of the Accuplacer (and various other
    college entrance exams) with self-assessment modules to help you determine areas in
    which you should complete additional studying prior to testing. After completing the selfassessments,
    use the self-improvement directory to raise your skills in those areas
    needing assistance.