Writing, Reading, and ESL Course Placement Procedure
View the course sequences for Reading, Composition and ESL.

Before registering for a composition class, all students in the Maricopa Community Colleges are required to take a placement test providing an opportunity for greater academic success. Prospective students should take the ASSET, COMPASS, or ACCUPLACER test.  The CELSA test is available for English language learners. We recommend that non-native English speaking students who place in the lowest levels of writing or reading take the CELSA test to ensure  proper course placement in English.
 

Writing Class Placement Scores (Effective Fall 2009)

 Course Placement ASSET   COMPASS AccuPlacer
Enroll in ENG 071, ESL077 23-29   0-20 20-34

Enroll in ENG081, ESL 087

30-34

21-37 35-54
Enroll in ENG 091, ESL 097 35-40 38-69 55-74
Enroll in ENG101, ENG107 41-50 70-96 75-91
ENG 101, ENG107 - Consider Honors ENG101 51-54 97-100 92+

Reading Class Placement Scores

 Course Placement ASSET   COMPASS AccuPlacer
Enroll in RDG071   23-30  0-39 0-36

Enroll in RDG 081

31-36

40-68 37-55
Enroll in RDG091 37-41 69-82 56-73
CRE101
requires a satisfactory placement score and ENG101 with a grade C or better.
42-46 83-90 74-91
READING EXEMPT 47-53 91-100 92-116

ESL Level Placement
 

CELSA Score ESL Level Placement

0-7

Basic I ESL 001 Basic ESL I, RDG 008 Phonics
8-15 Basic II ESL 002 Basic ESL II, RDG 008 Phonics
16-29 Level I ESL 010 Grammar, ESL 011 Listening & Speaking, ESL 012 Writing, 
ESL 014 Idiomatic English, RDG 010 Reading
30-38 Level II ESL 020 Grammar, ESL 021 Listening & Speaking, ESL 022 Writing, 
ESL 024 Idiomatic English, RDG 020 Reading
39-50 Level III ESL 030 Grammar, ESL 031 Listening & Speaking, ESL 032 Writing, 
ESL 034 Idiomatic English, RDG 030 Reading
51-66 Level IV ESL 040 Grammar, ESL 041 Listening & Speaking, ESL 042 Writing, 
ESL 044 Idiomatic English, RDG 040 Reading
67-75 Transitional Take ASSET/COMPASS or Accuplacer English and Reading tests for placement in ESL 071, ESL 077, ESL 087, ESL 097, ENG 071, ENG 081, ENG 091, ENG101/107, RDG 071, RDG 081, RDG 091 or CRE 101.

Students will be permitted one re-test in English after at least a 24-hour waiting period. An additional re-test is permitted one year from the date of the student’s original or re-test at any course placement testing site. Course placement scores, with the exception of the reading exemption, will be valid for two years from the date of the original or re-test assessment. A C or better in the lower class always supercedes the ASSET, COMPASS, or AccuPlacer score. To enroll in ENG 102, a student must have earned a C or higher in ENG101.

First Day Diagnostic Writing Sample
On the first day of class, instructors give students in writing courses a writing assignment. By considering both the students' ASSET, COMPASS, or AccuPlacer scores and the students' writing samples, instructors assess the students' skills and potential for successfully completing the course and then make appropriate recommendations. A student whose score indicates ENG 101 may demonstrate in the writing sample a need for the instruction provided in English 091; the instructor may recommend that the student transfer to a section of that course. On the other hand, a student whose score indicates ENG 091 may demonstrate in the writing sample the skills typical of the student entering and successfully completing English 101; the instructor may then recommend that the student take that course. The instructor and the department chairperson make every effort to transfer the student to a section of the appropriate course as quickly and easily as possible.

Background Courses
Students who want or need to review basic writing skills before beginning English 101 have the opportunity to take ENG 071 even if they place into other courses. Although these courses do not satisfy the basic composition requirement, taking a review course often saves a student considerable frustration and time (sometimes a full semester's work). Attempting English 101 without the necessary background is like taking Life Saving without having mastered basic swimming skills: futile. Students are encouraged to work with advisors in order to choose the courses best suited to their individual experience and objectives.

Testing Centers
The Testing Center at GCC Main is located in TDS-118 on the south side of campus. View a Campus Map. View the Course Placement Testing Schedule.

The Testing Center at GCC North is located in the C (Chinle) Building.  View a map.

Related Links


Page maintained by: Marla DeSoto 
Revised 6/5/2009
Legal notice  English Department at Glendale Community College