Academic Placement Policy

As part of the application process and before course registration, students admitted into a degree program at Great Bay Community College will be required to take placement tests in reading, writing, and mathematics unless waived through multiple measures.  Computer skills testing will also be required as appropriate to the degree.  The goal of placement testing is to identify areas of strength and weakness so that students are appropriately placed into math, English, and computer courses.  Placement testing may also be required for other courses that are impacted by math, writing, reading, and technology competencies.  In some cases, placement testing may determine acceptance into a program.  Students who are applying to a certificate program may have testing requirements specific to that certificate.  Certificate testing requirements are located in Admissions, Academic Affairs, and the Center for Academic Planning and Support (CAPS) as well as online at Placement Testing. 

Great Bay Community College’s placement policy may be waived, in full or part, for those individuals who have met one or more of the following conditions.  Placements can also be made directly from recent SAT scores but may include developmental coursework.  Students who are accepted into the Nursing program are not required to take the Accuplacer exam because they have already completed pre-entrance testing with the ATI TEAS exam.  If you have questions about what tests you need for your program, contact Admissions at gbadmissions@ccsnh.edu.

Placement Testing Waivers

Math

SAT/ACT scores within 7 years

Prior Accuplacer scores within 3 years

Algebra II or higher in HS with appropriate grade

HiSet or GED scores with appropriate score

College equivalency through AP, Running Start,

Early College, CLEP, or other credits

Appropriate level of developmental or college-level coursework

Reading

SAT/ACT scores within 7 years

Prior Accuplacer scores within 3 years

College Prep class in Sr year or Honors level class in Jr/Sr year of HS with appropriate grade

HiSet or GED scores with appropriate score

College equivalency through AP, Running Start, Early College, CLEP, or other credits

Appropriate level of developmental or college-level coursework

Writing

SAT/ACT scores within 7 years

Prior Accuplacer scores within 3 years

College Prep class in Sr year or Honors level class in Jr/Sr year of HS with appropriate grade

HiSet or GED scores with appropriate score

College equivalency through AP, Running Start,

Early College, CLEP, or other credits

Appropriate level of developmental or college-level coursework

Computer

 

Prior CSP/Northstar scores within 3 years

Appropriate level HS computer applications or programming class

College equivalency through Running Start, Early College, or other credits

Appropriate level of developmental or college-level coursework

 

ACCUPLACER** is a computer-based assessment that is adaptive in nature, selecting questions based on prior responses to get the most information in the least amount of time.  College advisors will use placement scores along with other important information to develop an academic schedule that is right for each student.  The Northstar Digital Literacy test is used for placement in computer and digital media courses.

Any student with a documented disability may request appropriate testing accommodations from the Accessibility Advisor & Services Coordinator.  Students who are non-native speakers of the English language may access a variation of the placement test that will determine course placement based on assessed levels of English proficiency.  For more information, contact CAPS at 603-427-7621 or greatbaycaps@ccsnh.edu.

**ACCUPLACER is a product of The College Board, a division of the Educational Testing Service (ETS).  Please note, that changes to Accuplacer and SATs or GBCC placement research may result in changes to the above at any time