Placement Assessment
Individualized Placement
At COCC, we are invested in your academic success! For new students, that starts with finding out which math and writing classes will be right for you to begin your academic journey. We use a multiple methods approach to determine the most appropriate placement levels for each student. The first step in the placement process is completing the Directed Self-Placement (DSP) survey. If additional skills-based assessments are needed, you will be notified after you complete the survey.
Step 1: Directed Self-Placement Survey
This survey-based tool asks questions about your academic history, such as high school GPA and last course completed. The survey either will place you in a specific math and/or writing course, or in some cases may direct you to take a skills-based assessment.
Step 2: Skills-based Assessments (if needed)
ALEKS - Math Placement
The ALEKS skills-based math assessment is an online, untimed evaluation of your math skills, and immediately determines your placement level upon completion. No need to study beforehand – ALEKS will guide you through the process. After you complete ALEKS, you'll have automatic access to learning modules and the option to retest to place in a higher level.
ACCUPLACER - Writing Placement
The ACCUPLACER skills-based writing assessment consists of 20 multiple choice questions, and is untimed. You can take ACCUPLACER online at your convenience. Upon completion, you'll receive a placement level immediately. And there's no need to study; if you'd like to retest for a higher level, you can take ACCUPLACER again after seven days.
Other ways to Provide Placement
The steps above are the most common way that COCC students meet our placement requirement, but they're not the only way. Some other ways to provide placement include:
- providing transcripts from Writing or Math course(s) you've completed at another college
- scoring a 3 or 4 on a Smarter Balanced assessment within the last two years (SB assessment must have been taken in your 12th grade year)
- taking a placement assessment at another college in the last two years
- scoring at least 165 on your Oregon GED exam in the last two years