Information on the Placement Tests
Bucks County Community College offers placement testing remotely and in person. Students can test in person during the department’s open hours or remotely on their own schedule. If testing remotely, a webcam, microphone, and desktop or laptop computer are required for testing. If you do not meet these technical requirements or if you only have access to a tablet or mobile device, you must test in person in the Testing Center. Students must first apply to the College. Instructions for testing will be sent in their acceptance letter.
If you have already been accepted to the College and want to test remotely, please email testing@bucks.edu for instructions. When emailing, please include your name, as it appeared on your application, your seven-digit Bucks ID number, and your Date of Birth.
In-person testing is available in Newtown on a walk-in basis. Please visit Placement Test Schedule to view the testing schedule.
Notes:
- If English is your second language, your Placement Tests must be taken at our Testing Center. Please refer to the schedule for available hours.
- For Chemistry Placement Testing questions, please contact Emily Totman in the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics at emily.totman@bucks.edu.
- Information for prerequisite approval via transcripts from another college for guest and transfer students are posted on the Admissions and Registrar page.
- If you have any questions regarding the placement tests you are required to take, testing waivers, or the next steps in the enrollment process, please email info@bucks.edu.
- If you have questions regarding the tests themselves, please contact the Testing Center directly at testing@bucks.edu or 215-968-8466.
Mathematics
The Mathematics placement test is used to determine the level at which a student is best prepared to begin the study of mathematics. The test is adaptive, which means that the computer automatically determines which questions are presented to the student based on responses to prior questions.
Chemistry
The Chemistry placement test measures comprehensive, basic chemical vocabulary and math applications. In order to enroll in CHEM-121, students must take and pass the chemistry placement exam irrespective of any prior courses they have taken or degrees they have completed.
Find out more about the Chemistry Placement Exam.
Reading
The Reading Placement Test measures vocabulary, grammar and comprehension skills.
As of May 2024, School of Language and Literature has approved the use of Read-Aloud Assistive Technology for the Reading placement test.
Writing Sample
The writing sample is used to determine English course placement and is required of all students who are planning to register for COMP-110 English Composition I or MGMT-135 Business Communication.
American English as a Second Language
American English as a Second Language is for students for whom English is their second language. The American English as a Second Language (AESL) placement test consists of a 45-minute writing sample, a grammar test, and a reading test. An oral interview will be required. After testing, students must contact an AESL coordinator by e-mailing them at aeslcoordinator@bucks.edu, to review their test results and be advised on course selection.
Appropriate Behavior During a Test
Academic dishonesty is inappropriate and unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated during tests or in any academic activity at BCCC.
Find out more about the Appropriate Behavior Policy.
View the Placement Testing Schedule.