Assessment

Placement Assessment

As part of LCCC’s commitment to student success, applicants are REQUIRED to participate in a placement assessment process. Students are strongly encouraged to prepare for placement testing and academic advising, and LCCC offers resources to help them with this process. 

The placement assessment includes, but is not limited to, an evaluation of reading, sentence structure/writing and mathematical skills. Common tools used for this placement assessment can include an applicant’s ACT or SAT scores, high school cumulative GPA, or LCCC placement assessment results (LCCC proctored). Based on the results of the placement assessment process, enrollment in courses will be aligned with a student’s placement.

This assessment must be completed before enrolling in the following: 

  • More than one course (three or four credit hours). 
  • Any mathematics course. 
  • ENGL 161
  • Any course requiring college-level reading and/or ENGL 161 as a prerequisite or corequisite. 
  • Any science course with mathematics as a prerequisite.

Our current placement tool is Accuplacer for reading/writing is a high school cumulative GPA, a writing sample or Accuplacer and ALEKS for math. However, we honor previous Compass and/or Asset assessment scores. It is the policy of LCCC that applicants (exclusive of English as a second language (ESL) students) with previous Asset assessment scores of 30 or above in both language usage and reading skills are eligible to enroll in credit courses at the College. Students with previous Compass assessment scores of 30 or above on reading and 13 or above on writing skills are eligible to enroll in credit courses at the College. Students with Accuplacer scores of 237 in writing and 221 in reading or higher are eligible to enroll in credit classes. Students with a cumulative high school GPA of 1.49 within ten years of graduation and a writing sample of 8 or higher are eligible to enroll in credit classes. Students with a GED reading/writing score of 165 or higher are eligible to enroll in credit classes.  

Situations involving a wide variance between or among scores will be addressed on an individual basis. Students who believe their placement assessment scores do not accurately reflect their academic achievement and abilities may retest with the permission of their academic advisor. Students will be required to participate in mandatory preparation for ALEKS to enhance their chances of improving their placement assessment scores before permission is granted for reassessment.

Exceptions to participation in the placement assessment process include but are not limited to: 

  • A student who has completed an associate degree or higher at an accredited institution recognized by LCCC. 
  • A student who successfully completed and transferred college-level English and math courses to LCCC. 
  • A transient student (taking classes and attending college elsewhere) student in good standing who can show proof of pre-requisite completion.
  • A student with an ACT English score of 18 or SAT writing score of 430 and reading score of 450 or, effective March 2016, a 480 in Evidenced-Based English/Reading.
  • A student with an ACT mathematics score of 22 or SAT mathematics score of 530. 
  • A student with an ACT reading score of 22 or SAT reading score of 450 or, effective March 2016, a 480 in Evidence-Based English/Reading.

OR

  • A senior adult learner. 
  • A student registering for audit. 
  • A cross-registration student.

Students wishing to enroll in advanced courses in mathematics or certain science courses will be required to complete the mathematics section of the placement assessment. Additional information can be obtained in the Enrollment, Financial and Career Services division.

Under the guidelines of The Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Accessibility Services provides accommodations and support services to individuals with a wide range of needs. Our goal is to empower and help students make the most of their educational opportunities and potential by providing accommodations where there is a documented need. Further, the office follows strict confidentiality guidelines and secures personal information. We also assist faculty and staff. Please visit our website for more information at www.lorainccc.edu/accessibility-services or contact our office at (440) 366-4058.