Testing Services

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 Scores Test Guide

Next Generation Accuplacer® Reading Placement Information

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

next generation accuplacer®	reading course placement
210-236	RDG 100
237+	No DVS RDG course required

Next Generation 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:
210-236	ENG 100
237-249	ENG 101 + Studio (ENG 010) ENG 160 + Studio (ENG 011)*
250+	ENG 101 or ENG 160*

*Use program requirement.

Next Generation Accuplacer® Math Placement Information

 

If your reading score is and	If your arithmetic score (Arith) is	if your quantitative reasoning, algebra and statistics (QAS) is	if your advanced algebra and functions score (aaf) is	You will enroll in
210-227	200-249	➡	➡	MAT 032
228-249	250+	200-221	➡	MAT 152, MAT 155, or MAT 170*
250+	250+	222-236	➡	MAT 152
N/A	250+	237-249	➡	MAT 101
N/A	250+	250+	200-229	MAT 102, or MAT 120*
N/A	250+	250+	230-244	MAT 110 & MAT 114
N/A	250+	250+	245-262	MATH 110, MAT 122, PHI 105, PHI 106*
N/A	250+	250+	263-275	MAT 111 or MAT 130*
N/A	250+	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

Although the college's placement test is not timed, 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.
• 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.

How are transcripts evaluated for multiple measures?

MID-YEAR TRANSCRIPTS
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. Please ask your high school counselor to send your mid-year transcript to MTC Admissions to the attention of our Multiple Measures Coordinator. We will evaluate this transcript automatically. 

FINAL HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
If you would like to have your final high school transcript evaluated for possible multiple measures placement exemptions, you must have your official transcript sent to the admissions office before your advisement appointment. Transcripts must be submitted to be evaluated by the first day of the start term for which you applied. Please send your official final high school transcript to the Admissions Office at Midlands Technical College, Admissions, PO Box 2408, Columbia, SC 29202; or turn them into one of our office locations at our Beltline or Airport campus.

Note: Admissions will convert any unweighted, non-S.C. Uniform Grading Scale GPAs to the equivalent S.C. Uniform Grading Scale GPA.

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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 803.790.7578 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

Exam	Title	Score	MTC Course Equivalent
IB 0101	Biology HL	4	BIO 101
		5	BIO 101 & BIO 102
IB 0111	Business & Management	4	MGT 101
IB 0121	Chemistry HL	4	CHM 110
		5	CHM 111
IB 0131	Computer Science HL	4	CPT 170
IB 0141	Design Tech HL	4	GEN 001
IB 0151	Economics HL	4	ECO 210
		5	ECO 210 & 211
IB 0161	English A1 HL	4 or 5	GEN 001
IB 0171	English A2 HL	4 or 5	ENG 101
IB 0181	Film HL	4	ART 105
IB 0191	French A1 HL	4	FLG 001
IB 0192	French A2 HL	4	FLG 001
IB 0211	French B HL	4	FLG 001
IB 0221	Geography HL	4	GEO 102
IB 0231	German A1 HL	4	FLG 001
IB 0241	German A2 HL	4	FLG 001
IB 0251	German B HL	4	FLG 001
IB 0261	History HL	4	HIS 001
IB 0271	Info. Tech. In Global Society HL	4	CPT 104
IB 0281	Islamic History HL	4	HIS 001
IB 0291	Latin HL	4	FLG 001
IB 0301	Mathematics HL	4	MAT 110
		5	MAT 110 & MAT 111
IB 0311	Music HL	4	MUS 105
IB 0321	Philosophy HL	4	PHI 101
IB 0331	Physics HL	4	PHY 201
		5	PHY 201 & PHY 202
IB 0341	Psychology HL	4	PSY 201
IB 0351	Social & Cul. Anthro	4	ANT 101
IB 0361	Spanish A1 HL	4	FLG 001
IB 0371	Spanish A2 HL	4	FLG 001
IB 0381	Spanish B HL	4	FLG 001
IB 0391	Theatre HL	4	THE 101
IB 0411	Visual Arts HL	4	ART 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.