Waive the Placement Test
Who takes the test
- All first-time college students take the literacy placement test unless using a waiver or previous college-level credit for placement.
- Students may submit a valid waiver for math placement, take the ALEKS placement exam, or accept default placement in the MATH 87/95/97 level. Math 87/95/97 courses are not college-level math. Credit in these courses will not transfer, and these courses prepare students for higher level math.
- Transfer students test as needed, based on successfully completed credit on a college transcript.
You may not need to test if previous HCC placement scores are still active. If you have special testing needs and considerations, contact us prior to testing.
ACT scores
ACT subscores in English and math may be used for placement if you took the ACT within the past three years. Listed below are the scores you need for placement at the college level. If your score is lower, you may need to take the placement test. Unofficial score reports will not be accepted. You are required to submit an official score report through Encoura or have your official ACT score report sent by your High School Guidance Counselor via email to testing@heartland.edu.
HCC Site Code, for sending offical ACT score reports: 1046
English
ACT English Subscore HCC Placement 19+ English 101 Math
ACT Math Subscore HCC Placement 0-16 Math 095 or Math 097 17+ 19+ Math 099, Math 106, Math 131, Math 141 22+ Math 109, Math 135, or TMAT 105 28+ Math 129, 111, or 151 - Have you already taken a proctored ACCUPLACER or *ALEKS at another test site? Here is how you can transfer your scores:
- Placement test scores must be emailed directly from the test site to testing@heartland.edu.
- Scores must be within the last three years
- Transferred score reports will be subject to HCC's placement ranges.
*Unproctored ALEKS placement tests do not count towards placement
GED test scores (2014 exam series) in Reasoning through Language Arts and Mathematical Reasoning may be used for placement into college level courses and waiver of the ACCUPLACER test. If your score is lower, you will need to take the placement test.
High school transcripts should be submitted for evaluation for potential waivers if graduation was within the past three years. If your GPA is lower than what has been indicated, the placement test will may need to be completed.
Literacy placement at ENGL 101:- 3.0+ on a 4.0 unweighted scale
- 3.75+ on a 5.0 unweighted scale
- 83+ on a 100.00 unweighted scale
Math placement at Math 131 or 141 or Math 099/109: Attainment of the GPA literacy requirement and a successful completion of a 4th year semester(s) of math.
High school transcripts should be sent to Records@heartland.edu a month before enrolling into courses.
PARCC scores
PARCC scores in math and language arts may be used for placement. Here are the scores you need for placement at the college level. If your score is lower, you may need to complete the placement test.
PSAT scores
PSAT scores in the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math section may be used for placement if you took the PSAT within the past three years. If your score is lower, you may need to take the placement test. Unofficial score reports will not be accepted. You are required to submit an official score report through CollegeBoard or have your official PSAT score report sent by your High School Guidance Counselor via email to testing@heartland.edu.
SAT scores
SAT scores in the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math may be used for placement if you took the SAT within the past three years. Listed below are the scores you need for placement at the college level. If your score is lower, you will need to take the placement test. Unofficial score reports will not be accepted. You are required to submit an official score report through CollegeBoard or have your official SAT score report sent by your High School Guidance Counselor via email to testing@heartland.edu.
HCC Site Code, for sending offical SAT score reports: 1361
English
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section Score HCC Placement 480+ English 101 Math
SAT Math Section Score HCC Placement 0-460 Math 095 or Math 097 470-490 500-520 Math 099, Math 106, Math 131, Math 141 530-610 Math 109, Math 135, or TMAT 105 620-800 Math 129, 111, or 151 *If you did not include your mailing address in the background section during your SAT exam, your scores may not have been sent electronically to us. To confirm the status of your SAT scores with Heartland, please contact the Testing office at 309-268-8077 or testing@heartland.edu.
- English placement: If you completed a college-level Composition I course with a "C" or better, you are exempt from the literacy test.
- Math placement: If you completed a college-level math course you're exempt from the math test unless you are attempting to place above a prerequisite course
If you are looking to use your transcripts for placement purposes only, submit an unofficial copy to the Records office. Students who want their transcripts evaluated for the purposes of transfering credit should submit an official copy.
Submit ACT, GED, PARCC, PSAT, or SAT scores
If you are eligible to use ACT, PARCC, PSAT or SAT scores for a placement in literacy and/or math send a copy to testing@heartland.edu.
Submit ACCUPLACER or ALEKS Scores
Eligible scores must be emailed directly from the test site to the Testing Center (testing@heartland.edu). We do not accept score reports sent from students.
Instructions for College NOW
College NOW campus students should choose the upload portal listed by the location you are taking Heartland courses through to upload eligible score reports:
- Normal Campus → Upload Portal 1
- Pontiac Location → Upload Portal 2
- Lincoln Location → Upload Portal 3
College NOW counselors should upload eligible score reports as follows:
- Upload Portal 1: BHS | CCA | CCHS | EPG | HEYHS | LEXHS | NCHS/NWHS | TVHS | UHS
- Upload Portal 2: FCHS | PCHS | PTHS | RHS
- Upload Portal 3: HEHS | LINCHS | OHS
Important dates
Students are encouraged to turn in their placement waivers before August 1st for the fall semester and December 17th for the spring semester. High school transcripts, intended to use as placement waivers, should be sent four weeks before enrolling into courses.