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Placement Testing

 

Do I need to take a placement test?

The Testing Center at KCC offers English and Math placement testing. Placement scores demonstrate your readiness for college-level writing, reading, and math and help determine your starting level in KCC courses. Placement tests are required for many of the programs and classes KCC offers.

You may be able to opt-out of testing and be placed into transfer-level Math or English classes by providing us with qualifying ACT/SAT/GED scores and/or high school GPA or previous college transcripts.

The following charts show what requirements are necessary to be placed into each transfer-level class. Technical Math, Developmental Math, and Developmental English are not displayed, but students may also be able to opt-out of testing into those courses upon speaking with a KCC academic advisor.

Please note that placement options listed below are subject to change. Course descriptions are at www.kcc.edu/catalog

KCC ENGLISH COURSEOTHER KCC COURSESACCUPLACER:
Next Gen. - Reading
SAT
EBRW
ACT
ENGLISH OR READING
GED
Reading through Language Arts
Multiple Measures:
HS GPA can be used after 7th semester if enrollment is within 2yrs of HS graduation
College ready
ENGL 1613Any course with ENGL-0964
listed as pre-req
250-300480-80019-36165-200GPA 2.7‑4.0
GPA 3.3‑5.0
Foundational
ENGL 1422 &
ENGL 1613
Any course with ENGL-0964 listed as
pre-req can only be taken
concurrently with ENGL courses
228-249430-47916-18N/AN/A
ENGL 1422 &
ENGL 1613 with tutoring lab
visits and limited schedule
highly recommended
Any course with ENGL-0964 listed as
pre-req can only be taken
concurrently with ENGL courses.
Humanities, Speech or writing-
intensive are courses not
recommended
200-227< 429< 15N/AN/A

Notes:

  • ENGL 1422 is the co-requisite to ENGL 1613.
  • Students who withdraw or fail ENGL 1422 with be expunged from ENGL 1613. The student would need to repeat both ENGL 1613 and ENGL 1422 (starting 2022-2023).

A student who has successfully completed (C or better) a transitional English course their senior year at one of the high schools listed will be placed in ENGL-1613 and college-level coursework (starting 2022-2023).

Transitional English
High SchoolCourse NameNon-course codePlacement
BBCHSEnglish IVPLTE-0964ENGL-1613
DonovanEnglish IV A and English IV B
Saint AnneCollege Prep English A and College Prep English B
Tri-PointEnglish IV


Course Prefix and NumberCourse Title
ENGL 1613English I
ENGL 1422Accelerated Writing Instruction

If none of the above are met, students must take Accuplacer. The score will place them into the appropriate class.

Use the criteria listed to see placement options. Course descriptions are at catalog.kcc.edu. Row shading designates the placement level and can be identified using the placement level color-key below.

PlacementMath Placement Options:Geometry Requirement applies?HS GPA
GPA/grades can be used through 7th sem. (Dec. of senior year).
** GPA applies if:
  • Any math was taken during senior year of high school with C or better, and
  • Enrollment is within 2 years of high school graduation.
ALEKSSAT Math (Enrollment within 2 years of test date)ACT Math (Enrollment within 2 years of test date)GED Math (Enrollment within 2 years of test date)
MATH 251576-100*600-800*25-36N/AYes* and C or better in high school pre-calculus or higher
MATH 1843
MATH 1834
MATH 1713
61-100530-80025-36N/AYesNone
MATH 1803
MATH 1613
46-100530-80022-36165-200YesALEKS 40-100 and GPA 3.0 - 4.0**
BSNS 2514
MATH 1774
MATH 1704
BIOL 1514
CHEM 1614
ECON 1553
ECON 1563
46-100530-80022-36165-200NoALEKS 46-100
OR GPA 3.0 - 4.0**
MATH 181438-100530-80022-36165-200YesALEKS 38-100
OR GPA 3.0-4.0**
MATH 099130-45N/AN/AN/ANoco-requisite with MATH 1774
MATH 089130-45N/AN/AN/ANoco-requisite with MATH 1704
MATH 113330-100530-80025-36165-200YesGPA 2.8 - 4.0** ALEKS recommended
MATH 11030-29N/AN/A0-164NoNone
MATH 142430-45N/AN/A165-200NoGPA 2.8 - 4.0** ALEKS recommended
MATH 141414-29N/AN/A165-200NoGPA 2.5 - 4.0**
OR GPA 2.8 - 4.0 (no senior math)
ALEKS recommended
MATH 098414-45N/AN/A165-200NoGPA 2.5 - 4.0**
OR GPA 2.8 - 4.0 (no senior math)
ALEKS recommended
MATH 09817-13N/AN/AN/ANoco-requisite with MATH 0984
MATH 12130-29N/AN/A0-164NoNone
MATH 09740-13N/AN/A0-164NoNone


*Students must meet other pre-requisites if required*

PlacementALEKS SAT Math
(Enrollment within 2 years of test date)
ACT Math
(Enrollment within 2 years of test date)
GED Math
(Enrollment within 2 years of test date)
Geometry requirement applies? HS GPA
GPA/grades can be used after 7th sem. (Dec. of senior year).
** GPA applies if:
- Any math was taken during senior year of high school with C or better, and
- Enrollment is within 2 years of high school graduation.
CHEM 1614 BIOL 1514 46-100530-80022-36N/ANo ALEKS 46-100
OR GPA 3.0 - 4.0**
CHEM 1504 CHEM 153430-45530-80022-36N/ANo GPA 2.8 - 4.0**
ALEKS recommended


PlacementALEKS SAT Math
(Enrollment within 2 years of test date)
ACT Math
(Enrollment within 2 years of test date)
GED Math
(Enrollment within 2 years of test date)
Geometry requirement applies? HS GPA
GPA/grades can be used after 7th sem. (Dec. of senior year).
** GPA applies if:
- Any math was taken during senior year of high school with C or better, and
- Enrollment is within 2 years of high school graduation.
COSC 251361-100530-80022-36N/ANoN/A


Use this color-key with the math placement table. The background colors of each row have the following meaning:

Transfer Level - no color
Technical Math - blue background
Developmental Math - gray background
Co-requisite Math - yellow background

NOTES:
Accuplacer scores are not accepted.
5.0 GPA scale conversion: 3.0/4.0 = 3.75/5.0; 2.8/4.0 = 3.5/5.0; 2.5/4.0 = 3.2/5.0
SAT, ACT, and ALEKS - Good for 2 years after test date.
Multiple measures- High school GPA after 7th semester good for 2 years after high school graduation.


Course Prefix and NumberCourse Title
MATH 2515Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
MATH 1843Discrete Math
MATH 1834Calculus for Business and Social Science
MATH 1814College Algebra
MATH 1803Trigonometry
MATH 1774Statistics
MATH 1713Finite Mathematics
MATH 1704Contemporary Mathematics
MATH 0991Preparation for Statistics (must be taken with MATH 1774)
MATH 0891Preparation for Contemporary Mathematics (must be taken with MATH 1704)
MATH 1613Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I
MATH 1424Intermediate Algebra
MATH 1414Basic Algebra
MATH 1213Business Mathematics
MATH 1133Technical Mathematics for Electrical Circuits
MATH 1103Technical Mathematics
MATH 0984MATH Literacy
MATH 0981Prep for MATH Literacy (must be taken with MATH 0984)
MATH 0974Fundamentals of Mathematics

Note: Shaded rows identifies developmental level courses. See the placement level color-key for more information.


A student who has successfully completed (C or better) a transitional math course their senior year of high school with the following codes transcripted may be placed into the corresponding courses automatically:

Transitional MathPlacement
TM001PLMS (STEM) 1424MATH 1424MATH 1123 (prior to 2020), MATH 1133, MATH 1704, MATH 1774, MATH 1803, MATH 1814
TM002PLMQ (QUANTITATIVE LITERACY) 0985MATH 0984MATH 1123 (prior to 2020), MATH 1133, MATH 1704, MATH 1774
TM003PLMT (TECH) 1113MATH 1113 (prior to 2020); MATH 1103MATH 1123 (prior to 2020), MATH 1133

If none of the above are met, students must speak with an advisor regarding Technical and Developmental-level math course placement options.

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Location & Hours

Testing Services has locations in Kankakee and Iroquois counties. Before visiting a testing location, check KCC’s website for campus closings. Please allow enough time to complete exams before the Testing Center closes. Allow one hour for ACCUPLACER and one hour for ALEKS. Testing center hours are subject to change.

Riverfront Campus, Testing Center

Room D218, second floor of the Workforce Development Center — near the Student Affairs Department.

Current Hours:

Walk-ins are accepted 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; and 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays. KCC is closed most Fridays in May, June & July.
Testing by appointment only is 2-4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Appointments must be made at least one business day in advance.
Email testingcenter@kcc.edu or call 815-802-8530 to schedule an appointment.

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Riverfront Campus, Specialized Testing Center

Room D217, 2nd floor of Workforce Development Center. Please see the Community Testing Center page on how to schedule your exam.

South Extension Center

The South Extension Center offers ACCUPLACER, ALEKS, make-up exams, and Constitution testing (for GED) during advising hours.
Please call 815-802-8720 for more information.

Placement Testing FAQ

Do I need an appointment?

Walk-ins are accepted 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; and 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays. KCC is closed most Fridays in May, June & July.
Testing by appointment only is 2-4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Appointments must be made at least one business day in advance.

Email testingcenter@kcc.edu or call 815-802-8530 to schedule an appointment. You must meet with an academic advisor prior to testing. If you are taking the ALEKS math test, you must also complete a pre-test through the My KCC (my.kcc.edu) portal 24 hours in advance. Please allow enough time to complete exams before the Testing Center closes. Allow one hour for ACCUPLACER and one hour for ALEKS.

May I take the exam multiple times?

Yes. To take the exam more than once, you may need permission from KCC faculty or staff, and there may be a small re-test fee. You may retake ACCUPLACER Next Gen once prior to beginning coursework. You need to wait one full business day between your first and second attempt. There is a $10 retest fee payable on the day you retake the exam. For ALEKS Math placement exams, follow the steps on the ALEKS retest information sheet.

Do you offer remote testing for other colleges/universities?

Yes. Please call 815-802-8530 or email testingcenter@kcc.edu to arrange remote testing.

What is not allowed in the Testing Center?

Food and drink are not allowed. Students may not bring in any guests, including children. Hats and hoods must be removed, and all electronic devices must be put away and turned off. 

Do you offer correspondence testing, specialized testing, or workplace testing?

Yes. The Testing Center oversees makeup (KCC classes), correspondence (testing for other colleges and universities), and specialized workplace testing. You can learn more about the exams the Testing Center offers by visiting the Community Testing Center page or by contacting your test provider.

Can I request test accommodations for a disability?

Yes. Testing Services coordinates testing accommodations with the Office of Disability Services. For more information on accommodations, visit the Disability Services Office. The TTY number is 711.

English Placement Exam (ACCUPLACER)

The ACCUPLACER Next Generation placement test is how you demonstrate your readiness for college writing and reading classes. Your scores will determine your starting level in KCC courses.

ACCUPLACER is a proctored, untimed, computer exam offered at our Riverfront and South Extension Center campuses. Scores are available immediately after completion of the entire test. Tests must be completed or paused by the Testing Center’s closing. See the Testing Center hours for more information.

To take the ACCUPLACER exam, you must:

  • Apply online.
  • Meet with an academic advisor. You may schedule an advisor appointment by calling 815-802-8500 for the main campus and 815-802-8780 for South Extension Center. Walk-ins are available.
  • On the date of your exam, bring a photo ID.

The exam is free for the first sitting. You may take the test multiple times with permission from KCC faculty/staff and a small fee.

Remote testing is available by appointment for those planning on attending other institutions. Call 815-802-8530 or email testingcenter@kcc.edu to arrange your remote test.

Math Placement Exam (ALEKS)

The ALEKS math placement test is how you demonstrate your readiness for college math classes. Your scores will determine your starting level in KCC courses.

ALEKS is a proctored, untimed, computer exam offered at our main and South Extension Center campuses. Scores are available immediately after completion of the entire test. Tests must be completed or paused by the Testing Center’s closing. See the Testing Center hours for more information.

To take the ALEKS exam, you must:

  • Apply online.
  • Meet with an academic advisor. You may schedule an advisor appointment by calling 815-802-8500 for the main campus and 815-802-8780 for South Extension Center. Walk-ins are available.
  • Take the required pre-test at least 24 hours prior to your appointment. You can find the pre-test by logging into MyKCC under Bookmarks and Links. Follow the instructions and select the correct cohort based on when you plan on entering KCC.
  • On the date of your exam, bring a photo ID.

The exam is free for the first sitting. You may take the test multiple times with permission from KCC faculty/staff after completing the required additional practice time.

Remote testing is available by appointment for those planning on attending other institutions. Call 815-802-8530 or email testingcenter@kcc.edu to arrange your remote test.

KCC encourages all testers to take their placement exams seriously and prepare beforehand for their exam. These additional outside resources serve as study guides for testing.

Please note: A photo ID is required to take exams.

The Location and Hours tab has Testing Center locations, hours, and information on how to make an appointment. Please allow enough time to complete exams before the Testing Center closes. Allow one hour for ACCUPLACER and one hour for ALEKS.

ACCUPLACER:

You may retake ACCUPLACER Next Gen once prior to beginning coursework. You need to wait one full business day between your first and second attempt. The $10 retest fee is payable on the day you retake the exam.

ALEKS:

The ALEKS math exam requires an unproctored pre-test (can be done at home or on-campus). After the pre-test is complete, ALEKS additionally offers free study guides and practice questions to help boost your score. If you are taking ALEKS more than once, you may be required to spend additional time within ALEKS practice modules before retaking the exam.

A KCC application must be submitted in order to gain access to the ALEKS pre-test and practice module. You will use your student ID and password to login.

To prepare for the ALEKS math placement test:

  1. Go to MyKCC – https://my.kcc.edu.
  2. Use your KCC User ID/password to login. They are created within one business day after your application is submitted.
  3. In MyKCC, under the Bookmarks and Links tab, select ALEKS - Math Placement.
  4. Review and agree to the terms of use.
  5. Click “Continue” as needed.
  6. Click “2025 Students, Year 2025”
  7. There is a short survey and tools tutorial before the required practice test. You must complete the practice ALEKS test at least 24 hours before the official, proctored exam in KCC’s Testing Center.

Before taking the ALEKS exam, you can practice in KCC’s ALEKS Lab, Room L347 on the Riverfront Campus. No appointment needed. The lab is unavailable when in use for class.

For ALEKS retesting and lab information, see here.