General Information about Placement Test

Peirce College is committed to your academic success. The Placement Test is an assessment of math and English skills which can help students identify their academic strengths and areas of academic need. This information is used to assist students in developing a successful academic plan. Your Enrollment Representative will be your guide as you begin this process.

Next Steps:

1. Apply to College by completing an Application at www.peirce.edu/apply
2. Pay the Application Fee
3. Talk with your Enrollment Representative about Placement Testing
4. If required, take the Placement test.
5. Based on test results, schedule classes.

Who Takes the Placement Test?

Students who apply to the College without transfer credit (a grade of C or above) in English 101 and/or college-level math are required to take skills assessments. Students with recent (less than 5 years old) SAT or ACT standardized tests scores should speak to their Enrollment Representatives about possibly using these scores instead of taking the placement test. The College uses the assessments to place students in the appropriate level of English and/or math. The assessments are generally administered on the computer and measures composition and math skills. A paper and pencil version of the math assessment and special accommodations for disabled students are available.

Students will be guided by an Enrollment Representative to select their courses. Students who score below 73% on the assessment(s) are required to take English 010 and/or Math 010 (these are semester-length remedial courses). Students who readmit to the College without transfer credit or who have not successfully completed English 101 and/or college-level math must adhere to this policy.

Students may waive the assessment(s) requirement, resulting in automatic enrollment in the Developmental Education Program. Developmental Education students must complete the remedial courses assigned to them within one year of enrollment. Both ENG 010 and MAT 010 are 14-week courses. ENG 010 and MAT 010 do not count toward any degree program. ENG 010 and/or MAT 010 serve as required prerequisite courses for students within the Developmental Education Program.

How does the Placement Test work?

Students can take the Placement Test(s) in the convenience of their home or at Peirce College. An Enrollment Representative will be available to register students for the test and to answer any questions or assist first-time computer users.

Students will receive a confirmation from the Admissions Office that they are registered to take the Math Placement Test, and will email over the English essay template. After receiving the confirmation, students should adhere to the following directions:

1. Go to https://my.peirce.edu
2. Complete the New User Registration (found on the Help tab)
3. User Knows: 1.) Student ID # (provided by your Enrollment Representative.) 2.) Date of Birth 3.) Social Security Number
4. Sign-in once Registration is complete
5. Click on the New Students Tab
6. Click on Access Classes Online (this will open a new internet browser window
7. Click on the Courses Tab
8. Click MPT Math Test.

All questions on the Math Placement Test are multiple choice. Be sure to click Save Answers. When you have completed the assessment, click Submit. Once you complete the English essay, be sure to save the essay as a Word document and submit to your Enrollment Representative.

Information for Students with Disabilities

In our commitment to ensuring that no otherwise qualified student with a disability is subjected to unlawful discrimination in the context of his/her educational experience, Peirce College makes certain that students with disabilities are provided equal access to educational and career development programs and/or student activities. Consequently, the College will make, on behalf of qualified students with learning and physical disabilities of which the College is aware, reasonable accommodations that do not impose undue hardships on the College. If a student believes he/she requires a reasonable accommodation or has a question regarding educational services, activities, programs or facilities that are accessible to or usable by students with disabilities, please contact the Facilitator, Perkins Grant & Student Disability Services Coordinator in the Mary W. Walker '33 Center for Academic Excellence, 2nd Floor Alumni Hall (215-670-9251). All information associated with a disclosure of this nature is confidential, and the College will communicate this information to others only on a need-to-know basis.

When do I need to take the Placement Test?

First, students must apply to the College. Students without transfer credit in math and/or English must take the designated assessment(s). The assessment(s) must be taken before students begin classes.

Should I Study for the Placement Test?

To ensure that test scores accurately reflect their skill level, students may wish to review basic algebra and arithmetic before taking the Placement Test. Students are encouraged to review the Sample Placement Test Questions. The Sample Questions are located on the left panel under the content item Sample Questions.

How much time is given to take the Placement Test?

Students will have a maximum of 1 hour to complete the math assessment. Students will compose an original essay and submit it as a Microsoft Word document. Students should contact their Enrollment Representatives to discuss the essay writing and submission procedure.

How are Test Scores Used In Placement?

The math assessment is scored electronically. Students who score below 73% on the assessment are required to take MAT 010. The essay is scored using a rubric that will be provided with the essay template Word document. An Enrollment Representative will follow up with students regarding their placement and course selection.

How long are my Placement Test scores valid?

Your results will remain valid for 1 year.

Testing Hours

Call or email the Admissions Office to schedule a time to take the Placement Test. You can reach the Admissions Office at 1.888.467.3472, ext 9214 or email info@peirce.edu.

Test Taking Tips

Math Placement Test

1. Relax: This is a diagnostic assessment of your general math and beginning algebra skills. It will guide your placement into the appropriate first math course. Once academic strengths and needs are identified, an Enrollment Representative will assist you in developing an academic schedule. You should relax and try your best. You may opt to skip problems you have no idea how to do. If time permits, please try as many problems as possible.

2. Carefully read all the directions. When you are nervous, or just want to finish a test, sometimes you may read the directions too quickly or simply skip them, thus missing important information. Take time to read the directions thoroughly.

3. Watch the clock and budget your time. Students--who have had Algebra 2 in high school--should be able to work all questions. If your math skills are weak or ‘out of practice' then this assessment will determine if you need a preparatory course (MAT 010) prior to enrolling in college-level math courses which will count toward your degree program.

4. If you are taking the test at home, make sure you have a distraction free environment. Technology Support: Once you begin the test, you cannot close it and come back to it later. If you have any concerns about your home technology, please discuss these with your Enrollment Representative. You may contact the tech support line at 877-670-9189 (toll free call: 24/7 support is available).

5. Think positively: The purpose of this assessment is placement. Proper placement is in your best interest; developmental courses are designed to provide extra support for building skills. However, you do have the responsibility to complete (with a grade of C or above) all developmental courses assigned to you within one year. Peirce has two developmental courses, ENG 010 and MAT 010 (both are semester-length 14-week courses).

6. Because the Math Placement Test uses multiple choice questions, you may apply this general strategy:
a. If you are unsure about the correct answer(s), eliminate the answer(s) that you are sure are incorrect.
b. If you are still not sure about the correct answer, come back to it after completing the rest of the test. When you come back, if you are still unsure, make your best selection.