Testing and Placement
The NC Diagnostic Assessment and Placement (NC DAP) test is required at Western Piedmont to determine course placement. The College’s series of placement tests measures skill levels in reading, writing, and mathematics. Advisors discuss the test results with students in order to plan the most efficient route to each individual’s educational goal. Generally, students may take the placement test only once, so it's important to be prepared. Preparing for the test may reduce or eliminate the need for multiple levels of developmental coursework, which will save time and money.
Test results indicate whether students need special preparation before credit coursework is attempted. Some programs have requirements that vary from those of the general college and should be explained by a counselor or academic advisor. Test accommodations may be available to students with documented disabilities. Students requiring special test accommodations must make arrangements in advance of their scheduled test date through the Office of Disability Services, 828-448-3153.
Students who place into DRE 096, or DMA 010, or DMA 020, or DMA 030 are required to enroll in a mandatory corequisite - ACA 085, Improving Study Skills. This course can also benefit students who need to develop their college preparedness skills. These developmental courses should be completed as early as possible in a student’s program of study.
A student may be exempt from placement testing if one of the following criteria has been met:
1. Has graduated from a North Carolina high school within the last five years of enrollment term, and:
a. Meets the specified 2.6 or better unweighted high school GPA and
b. Has successfully completed the four required sequential English courses and
c. Has successfully completed the four approved NC high school Math sequences, as outlined under the NCCCS Multiple Measures Policy.
(Official high school transcripts must be received in the Student Record's office two weeks prior to the date of enrollment.)
2. Meets the ACT or SAT subject area test score requirements and the scores are not more than 5 years old from enrollment term.
3. Has successfully completed ENG 111 with a grade of "C" or better, from an accredited institution.
4. Has successfully completed a college level Math course with a grade of "C" or better, from an accredited institution. Exemption from all or portions of the mathematics sections of the placement test is dependent on the major the student is pursuing and the math level course taken.
Placement tests and developmental courses are not valid if more than five years old, from enrollment term, or taken prior to the implementation of NC-DAP. Students completing programs, which allow the ability to take a Natural Science class instead of a Math class, will be required to successfully complete DMA 010-030 or successfully exempt these courses by placement testing, within the five years from test date to graduation.
Contact the Director of Career & Testing Services at 828-448-3155 with questions regarding the placement test.