Placement Testing

Placement Testing Process

Placement Testing is designed to determine your academic readiness. This process assists in determining the best courses for your success at Heartland Community College.  

Step #1. Submit an HCC application.

Step #2. Determine if you can waive the Placement Test by reviewing the below Placement Testing Waivers. 

Step #3. Once you have been accepted to HCC, setup your MyHeartland account. You will need to know your HCC login credentials [Username & Password] to access your EAB Navigate [Navigate 360] account where you will schedule your Placement exam(s). 

Step #4. Click on Make an Appointment to schedule your Placement exam(s) via Navigate 360. 

Step #5. After your testing appointment, a Heartland staff member will review your results with you based on Heartland's Placement Ranges.

Step #6. After completing testing, all new students must contact HCC Academic Advisement and meet with an Academic Advisor as part of the enrollment process. This requirement does not apply to College Now [CNOW] students taking Heartland courses at their High School, as they will work directly with their Guidance Counselor instead. 

Spring 2027 Placement Deadline

To enroll in 16-week, first 12-week, first 8-week, or CNOW Spring 2027 courses, the last day to complete Placement Testing, including the proctored Writing Sample essay is Friday - January 8th, 2026.

Spring 2027 courses begin on Monday - January 11th, 2027. 

Placement Testing deadlines for Summer semesters vary depending on your Academic Plan. Please refer to Admissions & Advisement for the most up-to-date information.

Releasing and Protecting Your Educational Records 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects your educational records.  It requires your written consent before protected information can be disseminated.  Also, it allows you to prevent the College from sharing Directory Information without your consent.  Click here for additional information and forms for FERPA.  

To release your official ACCUPLACER or ALEKS score report to another institution, fill out the Score Release Form. 

To view your ACCUPLACER score report, enter your information on the ACCUPLACER Student Portal.

To view your ALEKS score report, enter your information on the ALEKS Student Portal. 

Waive the Literacy & Math Placement Exams

Who needs to test?

  • The Literacy Placement Exam [Accuplacer] is required for all first-time college students unless a qualifying Literacy Placement Waiver is on file. Waiver documentation must be submitted through the official method required for the waiver type. Transcripts, qualifying test scores, or ACT/SAT/PSAT score reports must be sent directly from the issuing institution or testing agency. 
  • The Math Placement Exam [ALEKS] is optional. All students enter HCC with a default math placement at Math 87/95/97 level. Student who wish to qualify for a higher placement may submit a Math Placement Waiver or take the ALEKS Math Placement Exam at the HCC Testing Center. Documentation for math waivers must be submitted through the official method required for the waiver type. Transcripts, qualifying test scores, or ACT/SAT/PSAT score reports must be sent directly from the issuing institution or testing agency. Math 87/95/97 courses are developmental mathematics courses and do not transfer for college credit. 
  • Transfer students test as needed based on successfully completed coursework on an official 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.

Important dates regarding submission of Waiver documentation

To avoid delays in registration, all placement waiver documentation, including official transcripts and score reports, must be received and on file by August 1st for the Fall term registration and December 17th for Spring term registration.

Literacy & Math Waivers

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 your myACT account or have your official ACT score report sent by your High School Guidance Counselor via official HCC ShareFile or via email to testing@heartland.edu. 

Heartland Community College does not accept the preACT for Literacy or Math placement waiver.

HCC Site Code, for sending official 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+

Math 089
19+ Math 099, Math 106, Math 131, Math 141
22+ Math 109, Math 135, or TMAT 105
28+ Math 129, 111, or 151

Accuplacer or ALEKS Scores from other Institutions

Have you already taken a proctored ACCUPLACER or proctored ALEKS at another test site?

Heartland Community College may accept qualifying placement scores from another institution if the following requirements are met:

Score Submission Requirements

  • Placement test scores must be emailed directly from the test site to testing@heartland.edu or shared directly from Accuplacer via Student Shared Individual Score Report (ISR).
    • Score reports submitted directly by students are considered unofficial and will not be accepted for Placement Waiver. 
  • Scores must be less than 3 years old. 

Accuplacer Scores

Transferred Accuplacer scores, including Next-Generation Reading [NELA], will be evaluated according to HCC's placement ranges and must also meet Heartland's proctoring requirements:

  • The exam was administered and proctored under live supervision by testing center staff or through an approved online proctoring service. 
  • Exam was delivered and completed in English. 
  • No unauthorized resources, materials, or assistance were permitted during testing.  

Aleks Scores

Transferred Aleks Math Placement scores will be evaluated according to HCC's placement ranges and must also meet Heartland's proctoring requirements:

  • The exam was administered and proctored under live supervision by testing center staff [not administered at home through an online proctoring platform].
  • The exam was administered using the Aleks Lockdown Browser. 
  • Physical handheld calculators were not permitted during testing. 
  • No unauthorized resources, materials, or assistance were permitted during testing.  

Please note: Unproctored Aleks placement tests do NOT qualify for placement at Heartland Community College [this includes Illinois State University's unproctored ALEKS]. 

Next-Generation Arithmetic [NARIT] and Advanced Algebra & Functions [NAAF]

Although HCC no longer administers the NARIT or NAAF tests, qualifying scores may still be accepted for placement waiver consideration if:

  • Scores are submitted directly by the testing center or through the Accuplacer ISR system. 
  • Scores are less than 3 years old. 
  • The exam was administered and proctored under live supervision by testing center staff [not administered at home through an online proctoring platform].
  • Physical handheld calculators were not permitted during testing. 
  • No unauthorized resources, materials, or assistance were permitted during testing.  

Remote Testing

Heartland Community College does not arrange, coordinate, or cover the cost of Aleks Math Placement testing at other institutions for out-of-state, internation, or remote students. 

GED (2014)

GED transcripts (2014 exam series) that are less than 3 years old can be submitted for consideration of a waiver according to the cut scores listed below. Only 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.

Unofficial GED transcripts will not be accepted. You must request official GED transcripts from your Regional Office of Education. 

  • Literacy placement (English 101): Reasoning through Language Arts score of 165 or higher
  • Math placement: Mathematical Reasoning score of 165 or higher for placement at Math 109, Math 131, Math 135 or Math 141

High School GPA

  • 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 below, the placement test 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 the HCC Records Office at least 1 month before enrolling into courses to allow adequate processing time during high-volume seasons (Summer prior to Fall enrollment). 

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 than indicated below, you may need to take the placement test.

You are required to have your guidance counselor submit your PSAT scores on your behalf via official HCC ShareFile or via email to testing@heartland.edu.

  • Literacy placement (at English 101): Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 480+ 
  • Math section score of 500+ for placement at Math 099, Math 106, Math 131 or Math 141
  • Math section score of 530+ for placement at Math 109 or Math 135

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 college level. If your score is lower than indicated below, 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 SAT score report sent by your High School Guidance Counselor via official HCC ShareFile or via email to testing@heartland.edu. 

HCC Site Code, for sending official 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

Math 089
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. 

College Transcripts
  • 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 College Transcript for placement or transfer credit purposes, submit an official transcript to the HCC Records Office. 

Placement Exams beyond Literacy & Math

Additional placement exams are available for select HCC courses and provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate readiness for higher-level coursework.

Cost

There is no cost to the student associated with these exams.

Credit

No credit is awarded for passing the placement exams. You take these exams for an opportunity to place and enroll into higher-level courses.  

Schedule an appointment

Appointments are required and can be scheduled online via Navigate 360. 

Additional Placement Exams

Course 

Exam Format 

Time Limit    

Percent Needed to Pass 

BIOL 99 Biology for Health Careers 
 
Pre-Requisites: Placement at Math 095, Math 097+ AND Placement at English 101 or concurrent enrollment in English 099/101. 

Resources Permitted: Scientific Calculator *provided by Testing Staff 
  • Computer-based 
  • 100 multiple-choice, true-false and matching questions 
  • Attempts: 2 Total 
  • Expiration: Scores expire for use in Placement at 5 years. 

   Untimed 

       70% 

CHEM 99 Preparatory College Chemistry 

Pre-Requisites: Completion of Math 095 or Math 097 with a C or better -OR- Placement at Math 089 / Math 131, Math 141. AND Placement at English 101 or concurrent enrollment in English 099/101. 

Resources Permitted: Scientific Calculator and Periodic Table *provided by Testing Staff 
  • Computer-based 
  • 20 multiple-choice questions 
  • Study Guide: Chapters 1-4, 8 in Shaum's Outline of College Chemistry. 
  • Attempts: 2 Total 
  • Expiration: Scores expire for use in Placement at 5 years. 

   Untimed 

       55% 

French Placement Exam 

Pre-Requisites: Placement at English 101 or concurrent enrollment in English 099/101.  

Resources Permitted: N/A 
  • Computer-based 
  • 60 multiple choice questions 
  • No Study Guide 
  • Attempts: 1 Total 

   Untimed  
  • 0-20
    (FREN 101) 
  • 21-37 (FREN 102) 
  • 38-46 (FREN 201) 
  • 47-52 (FREN 202) 

German Placement Exam  

Pre-Requisites: Placement at English 101 or concurrent enrollment in English 099/101.  

Resources Permitted: N/A 
  • Paper/pencil 
  • 50 multiple choice questions 
  • No Study Guide 
  • Attempts: 1 Total 

   Untimed 
  • 0-15
    (GERM 101) 
  • 16-31 (GERM 102) 
  • 32-39 (GERM 201) 
  • 40-45 (GERM 202) 

Japanese Placement Exam 

Pre-Requisites: N/A  

Resources Permitted: N/A 
  • Paper/pencil 
  • 50 multiple choice questions 
  • No Study Guide 
  • Attempts: 1 Total 

   Untimed 
  • 0-15
    (JAPN 101) 
  • 16-31
    (JAPN 102) 
  • 32-39
    (JAPN 201) 
  • 40-45
    (JAPN 202) 

Spanish Placement Exam 

Pre-Requisites: N/A  

Resources Permitted: N/A 

  
  • Computer-based 
  • 50 multiple choice questions 
  • No Study Guide 
  • Attempts: 1 Total 

  Untimed 
  • 0-15
    (SPAN 101) 
  • 16-31 (SPAN 102) 
  • 32-39 (SPAN 201) 
  • 40-45 (SPAN 202) 

Contact Us

Testing Center

WDC 2600
Heartland Community College
1508 Vermillion Way
Normal, IL 61761
Phone: 309-268-8077

HCC Lincoln

Email: Lincoln.Center@Heartland.edu 
Phone: 217-735-1731

HCC Pontiac

Email: Pontiac.Center@heartland.edu 
Phone: 309-268-8960