The College Placement Test (CPT) is used to determine if you are at college level in reading, English and math. The CPT is not a pass or fail test. After completing the CPT, you will be placed in the appropriate level of reading, English and math courses. A student who places into a college preparatory course must successfully complete that course prior to attempting the corresponding college level courses. There are free tutoring services available on SPC campuses to assist you with college preparatory and college level coursework. Students placing into one or more developmental classes are
required to take SLS 1101 and SLS 1126.
If you are a new student, you must take the CPT to enroll in a degree or certificate program, or in a course that requires a prerequisite, such as ENC, REA or MAT. However, if you provide qualifying SAT or ACT scores and/or a transcript with appropriate college-level classes from another institution, you may contact an advisor to request an exemption from taking the CPT.
The CPT is taken after completing the admissions application. After you take the CPT, you must review your test scores with an advisor or generalist to determine the appropriate courses based on your CPT scores. You must attend a new student orientation session or complete the online orientation before registering.
PERT and Accuplacer
There are two kinds of CPT:
Students testing for placement on or after September 19, 2011 will take the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT). To prepare for this test you can download the PERT Study Guide and take a sample PERT Test.
The Accuplacer test was offered for new student course placement prior to September 19, 2011. It is still available for initial math course placement higher than the College Algebra (MAC 1105) and to meet the reading subtest requirement for admission to the SPC Nursing Program. To prepare for this test, visit the Accuplacer website.
Study guides containing more in-depth review materials to prepare for either college placement test are available for:
Take the test
You may take the CPT at one of our Test Centers during the hours listed. The test is computerized and is not timed, however, it usually takes approximately 3 1/2 hours to complete. If you are taking either test for the first time, you do not need to pay a fee.
On the day of the test, bring your:
- Valid, photo ID
- SPC student ID number
Food, drink, all electronic devices and all other materials are not permitted in the test room.
Accommodations
If you have a disability and require testing accommodations beyond extended time (test is not timed), contact Disability Resources to make arrangements for accommodations.
Test retakes
Starting September 17th, before you attempt the PERT a second time, you must demonstrate that areas of deficiency have been remediated. CPT Retest Process
There is a fee for CPT retakes. PERT attempts prior to September 17th will not count. High schools students do not need to complete remediation before a second attempt.
Expiring placement test scores
Test scores expire for placement purposes after two years.
If test scores are more than two years old and you have successfully completed a math, reading, or English course (with a “D” or higher), no further placement testing in that discipline is required.
If test scores are more than two years old and you have not successfully completed a math, reading, or English course (with a “D” or higher), you must pay the $15 fee and retest for course placement in the related discipline or start at the lowest level of developmental classes.