Academic Policies and Requirements 

Placement Testing

Applicants for curriculum programs must be tested for course placement unless exempted. Exemptions are granted if one of the following criteria is met:

  1. the applicant has earned a grade of "C" or better in appropriate college-level English and mathematics courses taken at a regionally accredited college or university within the last ten years;

  2. the applicant has earned advanced placement credit for English and mathematics on CLEP and/or AP exams that are recognized by the college;

  3. the applicant has taken the Midlands Technical College Placement Test (COMPASS, ASSET or equivalent) within the previous three years;

  4. the applicant plans to enter certain certificate programs that do not require placement testing;

  5. the applicant has earned a two-year degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university (this exemption may not apply to some academic programs); or

  6. the applicant is not pursuing an academic award and desires to be admitted to take a specific course(s) under the Career Development status. The applicant must have met course prerequisites. English and mathematics courses, or courses with English and mathematics prerequisites, require demonstrated proficiency in English and mathematics skills and may require testing if acceptable prerequisite courses have not been completed. Students not pursuing degrees, diplomas or certificates are limited to 18 semester hours in Career Development status, unless this limit is waived by the academic department chair.

Students with documented disabilities may request special placement testing accommodations to ensure optimum performance on assessment. To arrange special placement testing, students should contact the Disability Resource Center.

The Midlands Technical College Placement Test (COMPASS, ASSET or equivalent) consists of questions that address the applicant's career goals and commitment to program choice. The main emphasis of the placement test, however, focuses on helping students make sound educational decisions. Unless exempted, applicants are required to take a reading comprehension test and a basic mathematics and algebra skills test and to write a sample essay for evaluation. Depending on the applicant's ability level as indicated by placement test scores, the applicant will be:

  1. placed in entry-level courses in the chosen program of study;

  2. placed in Developmental Studies (DVS courses);

  3. placed concurrently in DVS courses and a program of study; or

  4. referred to an outside agency for assistance.

Reading scores will determine whether applicants will be admitted into the college and into which courses they will be placed. The writing and reading scores will determine placement into levels of English. Mathematics scores determine placement into sequential levels of DVS and curriculum mathematics courses. Applicants who do not meet minimum program entrance criteria in one or more of the basic skill areas will be required to satisfactorily complete the respective Developmental Studies course(s) before taking related courses in their chosen program.

Placement Testing for Foreign Languages

Students planning to enroll in foreign language courses must complete a placement exam to determine the appropriate course level for enrollment. This placement exam is also used to validate language proficiency for students planning to transfer to the University of South Carolina. Applicants should contact the Student Assessment Center to schedule a foreign language placement exam.