We ask that new college students take the ACCUPLACER® placement assessment in order to choose math and English courses that are appropriate. All students begin their college career with different skills, and this assessment will provide you guidance in selecting courses that will enable you to establish the best foundation for success.

Course Placement Guidelines

• Math & English Placement Guidelines

These guidelines indicate which beginning math and English courses will be required based on a number of indicators that may include a student’s ACCUPLACER® scores, ACT Math and English Scores, SAT English Scores or high school grades in college prep math courses.

Current ACCUPLACER® Dates

You must make an appointment for your assessment. Appointments must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. Bring a valid photo ID to your assessment. Acceptable forms of this ID include a current driver’s license, high school ID, college ID or passport. Do not bring a calculator as one will be available within the computerized math portion of the assessment.

Note: High school students who plan to start classes at Southern State fall semester 2013 may want to wait until late spring to take the placement test.

Central Campus

Assessments are held in Room 101 or Room 105. Call 800.628.7722 x2607 or x2825 to schedule an assessment.

Fayette Campus

Assessments are held in Room 125. Call 800.628.7722 x5500 to schedule an assessment.

North Campus

Assessments are held in Room 318. Call 800.628.7722 x4520 to schedule an assessment.

South Campus

Assessments are held in Room 114. Call 800.628.7722 x3630 to schedule an assessment.

Placement Policies

The following policies have been established regarding placement.

Degree-Seeking Students

If you are a new student with no prior college course work who intends to earn a degree or obtain a certificate, you are required to take the ACCUPLACER® placement assessment.

Transfer Students

Based on the results of an evaluation of transfer credits, if you are a new student with prior college course work in mathematics and English, you may (upon request) be excused from taking the assessment.

Non-Degree Students

If you are a new student who wishes to take courses but does not intend to work toward a degree or certificate, you may not be required to take the assessment. However, non-degree students wishing to take any mathematics or English courses will be required to take the assessment before enrolling in those courses. Additionally, non-degree students who later decide to enter a degree/certificate program will be required to take the assessment.

Placement Retest Policy

Students may retest one time for placement purposes. A $15 retest fee will be charged, and the student must present the receipt to the proctor at the time of retesting. Students without receipts will not be permitted to test.

Retests will be scheduled at Central Campus only. Students schedule the test by calling Lauri Bolitho at 800.628.7722 x2607. Lauri’s office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00am to 4:30pm.

PSEO applicants may test one time per year for entrance purposes (no fee). Once accepted to the PSEO program, they are eligible to retest one time for placement purposes, just as other Southern State students. That retest requires the $15 fee.

Retest fees may be paid at any campus bookstore.

Students are encouraged to review ACCUPLACER® study materials prior to retesting. The ACCUPLACER® website offers several study guides that students may find useful, but the primary focus should be on the WritePlacer essay and the Elementary Algebra components. Visit accuplacer.org and click "Information for Students" for details.

Accuplacer scores are valid for two years.

Retest Dates

TBA