The College requires testing to quantitatively demonstrate students' preparation and likelihood for successful matriculation.

I. Placement Testing

Except as noted below, new students in credit courses are required to take the St. Petersburg College Placement Test, SAT, ACT or other approved placement instrument. The test must be taken prior to the student's first registration. Test results are used to aid in advisement and course placement.

Students not required to take a placement test (unless the student plans to take a course that has Placement Test scores as a prerequisite) include:

1. transient students from other colleges and universities;
2. students who have earned either a 2-year or 4-year degree;
3. non-degree seeking students;
4. students transferring to St. Petersburg College with sufficient evidence for course placement in reading, writing or mathematics from the transferring institution;
5. students with passing scores on the SAT I (440 Math and 440 Verbal) or Enhanced ACT (17 English, 18 Reading and 19 Math) taken within the past 2 years;
6. students enrolled in Certificate programs except as required in certain programs; and
7. English as a Second Language students who take an approved Placement Test for ESL (i.e. LOEP).

Upon completion of 18 semester hours, non-degree-seeking students registered in job improvement or enrichment program codes must meet with a counselor or academic advisor prior to registration.

II. Assessment Testing

1. All students pursuing a certificate or an A.S. degree will be required to complete an End of Program Assessment which shall be used in certifying attainment of the standards of performance established for the program.
2. Associate in Arts degree students must satisfactorily pass the College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) unless exempt and/or waived.
3. Students pursuing all degrees and certificates may be required to participate in an Assessment of General Education Outcomes.

III. 

To qualify for admission to the College and for financial assistance, students who are not high school graduates or who do not possess the GED must demonstrate ability to benefit from college-level programs at SPC by completing the St. Petersburg College Placement Test with minimum scores in at least one of the three areas of reading, writing and arithmetic as specified in College Procedures.