Take a Placement Test

St. Louis Community College uses an untimed computerized placement test to help you know the right courses for you.  After testing you can meet with your advisor to discuss the course work that would be best for you and let you start college with confidence.

District-wide placement testing hours

Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (last seating is at 5:30 p.m.)

Fridays 9 a.m.-noon

student in computer lab

Testing and Course Placement

Multiple Measures

Under STLCC’s multiple measures approach to student assessment and course placement, standardized testing is no longer the primary means of determining students’ readiness for college-level coursework. Prospective students may now employ an appropriate high school GPA alone for reading and English course placement and a high school GPA in combination with a standardized test score (ACT or ACCUPLACER) to determine math course placement.

Not all students will benefit from this approach. In order for students to determine the utility of multiple measures for college-level course placement, please find below the following guide:

Reading Proficiency

  • High School GPA: 2.6 or higher OR
  • ACT Reading Subscore: 18 or higher OR
  • ACCUPLACER (Next Gen) Reading Subscore: 250 or higher OR
  • ACCUPLACER (Classic) Reading Subscore: 77 or higher.

English (ENG: 101)

  • High School GPA: 2.6 or higher OR
  • ACT English Subscore: 18 or higher OR
  • ACCUPLACER (Next Gen) Writing Subscore: 250 or higher and Reading Proficiency OR
  • ACCUPLACER (Classic) Sentence Skills Subscore: 83 or higher and Reading Proficiency.

Math (MTH: 160, 161, 180)

  • Math Index Score: 800 or higher for MTH: 160; 750 or higher for MTH: 161 or 180 and Reading Proficiency OR
  • ACT Math Subscore: 22-25 (Placement in MTH: 160, 161, 180) and Reading Proficiency

OR

  • ACCUPLACER (Next Gen) Advanced Algebra and Functions (AAF) Subscore: 231-245 (Placement in MTH: 160, 161, 180) and Reading Proficiency

OR

  • ACCUPLACER (Classic) College Level Math (CLM) Subscore: 46-58 and Reading Proficiency.

Math Index Score Placement Tool

This tool permits students to enter a high school GPA and test score to see what course they may take. Determine your Math Index Score.

Students, who believe that either a GPA or a Math Index Score will place them in a college-level course before a final high school transcript is available, will need to request a current, non-final transcript be sent electronically to STLCC’s Registrar’s Office so that their GPA can be entered in STLCC’s student system.

Prepare for the Test

We want you to accurately determine your skill level. This doesn't mean you shouldn't study or prepare for the exam. Here are a few ways you can prepare for the test:

  1. Learn about the test. If you know what the test will be like you can better prepare for it. Study materials are available to provide you with sample items for each part of the test.
  2. Show up prepared. Arrive when you will have plenty of time to take the test. You should allow 2 hours to complete all three portions of the test. A pencil and scratch paper will be provided. A calculator will be made available on-screen for selected items. Hand held calculators are not permitted.
  3. Take advantage of the tutorial. When you sit down to test you may access a computer tutorial. Use this tutorial to practice the computer's functions, such as the mouse and the scroll bar.  You may spend as much time as you need to become familiar with the computer before you begin testing.

For more information about the test view the test preparation video. There are also test preparation guides.

Taking the Test

When you're ready to take the test you are free to come into the testing location on any campus. The locations and hours are below. Here's what you need to get started:

  1. A photo ID
  2. Your student A number
  3. Around two hours of time for the entire test.

    Remember you can't bring in a calculator and all belongings will be kept with staff while you test.

Retaking the Test

If you feel like you can do better on your placement test, we welcome you to try again. You’re allowed to retake each test twice in a calendar year. Each retake will come with a $10 fee and require you to wait 24 hours from the previous session.

Once a student enrolls in a reading, English, or math course sequence, he or she must receive retake authorization from the appropriate department chair.

Testing for Students with a Documented Disability

If you have a disability that requires accommodations for the placement test, please call the Access office at the campus of your choice for an appointment prior to testing. Documentation will be required.

Placement Testing at a Distance

Online students or students who cannot travel to one of the STLCC Testing Centers have two placement testing options, remote site testing ( in person testing at an approved Accuplacer location near you) or virtual online proctoring, which allows you to test just about anywhere, even at home.

If you would like to take the placement test outside the St. Louis Metropolitan Area, at either a remote site or through virtual online proctoring, please contact one of STLCC’s Testing Centers to assist you in setting up your test. Contact information is below. Be prepared to provide your STLCC ID number (provided to you after application is received), your date of birth, email address and telephone number.

The remote center you choose will charge a fee for this service which is variable depending on location. The online proctoring service is provided through Examity for a $25 fee. Once your exam is set up, you will be sent via email a voucher that will be needed to complete the exam. You must retain this voucher to bring to the remote site or when testing via the online option. A state issued photo ID is required for either testing option.

The voucher will contain a link for setting up your Examity account if the online option was chosen. Once registered you will receive a confirmation email with login credentials. You will then log into the Examity dashboard and set up your profile and schedule your exam using the assigned voucher number provided.

For online proctoring please note the following requirements:

  • Students must test alone in a quiet room without disruptions.
  • ACCUPLACER tests can only be administered on a desktop computer or laptop.
  • The device must have a webcam and microphone (built-in or external).
  • Connection to network with sufficient internet speed: at least 2 Mbps download speed and 2 Mbps upload.
  • Operating systems: Windows 7 or newer, Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) or newer.
  • Browser with pop-up blocker disabled: Google Chrome v47 or later, Mozilla Firefox v41or later, Internet Explorer v10 or later, Microsoft Edge v12 or later, Apple Safari v6 or later.
  • The Examity software is accessible and can be used with various assistive technologies such as screen readers (JAWS) and magnification (Zoom Text).
  • When your test is completed either at a remote location or online, you will receive your scores and course placement.
  • Please contact the Testing Center to verify your results have been received by STLCC or if you have any questions. Please allow a minimum of 72 hours to complete test registration and test taking.

Locations and Hours

Back to top