Testing Services

Midlands Technical College provides assessment and proctoring services to all students, faculty, staff, the local community, educational institutions, and local businesses.  Most assessments offered are computer-based, but some are still paper and pencil formatted. There are six convenient locations for many of our tests, and each testing center is equipped with the latest computer technology and monitoring systems.

After you apply to MTC, the Admissions Office will let you know what, if any, placement tests you need to take.

Contact Us

Office of Testing Services
803.790.7522 
testctr@midlandstech.edu

Testing Information

MTC uses a variety of methods to place you in the best courses for your success. For some students, the college’s placement test will be the place to start. Other students may qualify to exempt all or part of the test.

Placement Test Score Guide

Accuplacer® Reading Placement Information

You will be placed in reading courses based on your reading test scores.

accuplacer®reading course placement
210-236RDG 100
237+No DVS RDG course required
Accuplacer® English Placement Information

You will be placed in English based on your reading test scores.

IF YOUR READING SCORE IS:YOU WILL ENROLL IN:
210-236ENG 100
237-249ENG 101 + Studio (ENG 010)
ENG 160 + Studio (ENG 011)*
250+ENG 101 or ENG 160*

*Use program requirement.

Accuplacer® Math Placement Information

 

If your reading score is andIf your arithmetic score (Arith) isif your quantitative reasoning, algebra and statistics (QAS) isif your advanced algebra and functions score (aaf) isYou will enroll in
210-227200-249MAT 032
228-249250+200-221MAT 152, MAT 155, or MAT 170*
250+250+222-236MAT 152
N/A250+237-249MAT 101 
N/A250+250+200-229MAT 102, or MAT 120*
N/A250+250+230-244MAT 110 & MAT 114
N/A250+250+245-262MATH 110, MAT 122, PHI 105, PHI 106*
N/A250+250+263-275MAT 111 or MAT 130*
N/A250+250+276+MAT 140

*Use program requirement.

Students who place into MAT 102 should consult with their advisor regarding whether MAT 102 is a critical prerequisite for a course in their overall degree plan.

For questions regarding individual test scores, please visit the Admissions Office to meet with an Admissions Counselor.

Exemption

Most students who take the entire test will need about three and a half hours to complete the test.

You may qualify to exempt all or part of the MTC placement test if you meet certain criteria. Examples include qualifying SAT®/ACT® scores or high school GPA (for recent high school graduates), qualifying previous college credit, and certain advanced standing exams.

Qualifications to Exempt the MTC Placement Test

If you can meet at least one of the following criteria, you may be able to exempt the MTC placement test.

  1. Earned College-Level Courses
    You have completed college-level math and English courses from a regionally accredited institution with a grade of “C” or higher.
     
  2. Earned College Degree
    You have graduated from a regionally accredited institution with an associate degree or higher.
     
  3. Advanced Standing Credit
    You have earned credit in English and math on CLEP® and/or Advanced Placement® exams that are recognized by the college. Visit the Advanced Standing page for more information. This exemption may not apply to specific academic programs.
     
  4. Qualifying Standardized Test Scores (Within the Last Three Years)

    SAT® Scores (On or after March 5, 2016)
    EBRW Score: 480+ 
    Math Score: 530+

    GED
    Reasoning Through Language Arts: 165+
    Mathematical Reasoning: 165+

    ACT® Scores
    Math: 22+
    English: 18+ and 
    Reading: 22+
     
  5. High School Grade Point Average (HS GPA) for Course Placement (Within the Last Three Years) 

    English Placement
    HS GPA 3.0+   
    ENG 101 or 160 (use program requirement)

    HS GPA 2.75 – 2.99   
    ENG 101 + Studio (ENG 010)*
    ENG 160 + Studio (ENG 011)*
    No DVS RDG course required

    HS GPA 2.25 – 2.74  
    ENG 100

    Math Placement
    HS GPA 3.0+ AND HS 4 MATH with 85+
    MAT 110 or 122 (use program requirement)

Notes:

  • “HS GPA” is based on the S.C. Uniform Grading Scale or equivalent.
  • Admissions will convert any unweighted, non-S.C. Uniform Grading Scale GPAs to the equivalent S.C. Uniform Grading Scale GPA.
  • High School Grade Point Average and 4 MATH cannot be used to place students above MAT 110 or 122.
  • Next Generation ACCUPLACER® must be taken to place into a higher math course.
  • If you qualify for an exemption in only math or English (not both), you will need to complete the placement test for the subject not exempted.
  • The MTC Placement Test will be required to place above MAT 110.
  • If you apply to MTC before graduating from high school, your placement will be based on your high school GPA at the end of your 11th grade year. Admissions will convert any un-weighted, non-S.C. Uniform Grading Scale GPAs to the equivalent S.C. Uniform Grading Scale GPA. Mid-year transcripts are automatically evaluated for all current high school seniors who submit an unofficial mid-year transcript.
  • If you have graduated in the past three years and would like your final transcript evaluated please send it to the admissions office.

After you apply to MTC, the Admissions Office will let you know if you qualify to exempt any placement tests. Need more info? Contact Admissions at 803.738.7664 or admissions@midlandstech.edu.

CPT 101 and 170 Exemption and Challenge Exams

The CPT 101 and 170 Exemption and Challenge Exams are for students who possess the appropriate computer skills and mastery from previous professional experience or college coursework. The Exemption and Challenge exam options offer two different pathways for students who wish to attempt to test out of MTC’s CPT-101 or CPT-170 course. The Exemption Exam awards course credit at MTC only. The Challenge Exam awards a letter grade and transferable college course credit. Before testing interested students must first meet with their advisor and complete the CPT-101/170 Exemption or Challenge Exam Form. Both the Exemption and Challenge Exam options include a $15 testing fee due at the time of testing on the Pearson testing website. This fee must be paid via credit or debit card at the time of testing. Students who opt to take the Challenge Exam must also first pay the full tuition and fees for the desired course at one of the MTC Cashier’s Offices. Challenge Exam students must also bring their tuition and fees receipt along with their CPT-101/170 Exemption or Challenge Exam Form signed by the MTC Cashiers Office and advisor prior to being allowed to test. Please see the MTC Records and Registration Office’s brief description of the Exemption and Challenge options below.

Exemption Exam

Credit awarded for prior learning, successful completion of course competencies (i.e. high school or Corporate and Continuing Education) or earned professional credentials as determined by the appropriate department chair, dean or designee. Skill assessments may be used to determine successful completion of course competencies. Exemption credits are assigned a status of “E” and no grade is assigned. The course is not recorded on the student’s transcript.

Challenge Exam

A student is given a grade for the specific course being challenged. The regular grading policy applies, and the grade assigned quality points that are computed in the student’s GPA. Students pay the applicable tuition fees prior to taking the exam.

AP/IB Course Equivalency

Midlands Technical College has established policies and procedures that may allow students to enter certain curriculum programs with advanced standing. In many cases, credit may be awarded through transfer of credit from other post-secondary institutions, AP exams, challenge examinations, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience or prior experiential learning. New students applying for advanced standing should submit documentation to the Admissions Office by the application deadline so that credentials may be evaluated and credit awarded prior to advisement for the student’s first term. Applicability and time limitations on transfer course work will be determined by the appropriate program’s department chair or designee. 

International Baccalaureate Course Equivalency
ExamTitleScoreMTC Course
Equivalent
IB 0101Biology HL4BIO 101
  5BIO 101 & BIO 102
IB 0111Business & Management4MGT 101
IB 0121Chemistry HL4CHM 110
  5CHM 111
IB 0131Computer Science HL4CPT 170
IB 0141Design Tech HL4GEN 001
IB 0151Economics HL4ECO 210
  5ECO 210 & 211
IB 0161English A1 HL4 or 5GEN 001
IB 0171English A2 HL4 or 5ENG 101
IB 0181Film HL4ART 105
IB 0191French A1 HL4FLG 001
IB 0192French A2 HL4FLG 001
IB 0211French B HL4FLG 001
IB 0221Geography HL4GEO 102
IB 0231German A1 HL4FLG 001
IB 0241German A2 HL4FLG 001
IB 0251German B HL4FLG 001
IB 0261History HL4HIS 001
IB 0271Info. Tech. In
Global Society HL
4CPT 104
IB 0281Islamic History HL4HIS 001
IB 0291Latin HL4FLG 001
IB 0301Mathematics HL4MAT 110
  5MAT 110 & MAT 111
IB 0311Music HL4MUS 105
IB 0321Philosophy HL4PHI 101
IB 0331Physics HL4PHY 201
  5PHY 201 & PHY 202
IB 0341Psychology HL4PSY 201
IB 0351Social & Cul. Anthro4ANT 101
IB 0361Spanish A1 HL4FLG 001
IB 0371Spanish A2 HL4FLG 001
IB 0381Spanish B HL4FLG 001
IB 0391Theatre HL4THE 101
IB 0411Visual Arts HL4ART 101

Academic Honesty Policy

The staff of the Testing Services Center and Midlands Technical College is committed to academic honesty and excellence. Anyone caught participating in acts of cheating will be brought before the college's judicial/discipline process as well as reported to the instructor whose exam they are taking. All forms of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating on tests, plagiarism, collusion and falsification of information, will call for discipline. Cheating on tests is defined to include the following:

  • Copying from another student's test.
  • Using materials during a test not authorized by the person giving the test.
  • Collaborating with any other person during a test without permission.
  • Knowingly obtaining, using, buying, selling, transporting or soliciting in whole or in part the contents of any test.
  • Bribing any other person to obtain tests or information about tests.
  • Substituting for another student, or permitting any other person's work to substitute for yours.