Providing the Right Fit of Classes for You
The Academic Placement & Testing Center uses a placement test, ACCUPLACER, which will help to accurately place you in the appropriate English, writing, and math classes to ensure your success. However, you may be exempt from taking the placement exam.
Exemptions from taking ACCUPLACER
At Northern Essex Community College, the following multiple measures may exempt you from the full or partial ACCUPLACER College Placement Test (CPT). Assessment Waivers – Information for Students.
High School GPA (Grade Point Average)
- You may be waived if you meet NECC’s Math and Writing GPA placement criteria. Learn more.
SAT Scores
- If you have SAT scores, you may be waived from the reading and writing assessment. There are no math SAT waivers. Submit your SAT scores to Enrollment Express Services or the Academic Placement & Testing Center. Learn more.
High School Equivalency HiSET/GED Scores
- If you have taken the HiSET or GED test and meet HiSET College & Career Readiness Scores or the GED College Ready Scores, you may be waived from the reading, writing and math assessment. Submit your HiSET or GED scores to the Academic Placement & Testing Center. Learn more.
ACCUPLACER Test Scores
- If a student has completed Accuplacer at another institution, the Academic Placement & Testing Center will accept the official Accuplacer Individual Score Report (ISR). You may be waived from the reading, writing and math assessment. Learn more.
AP Scores
- The College Board Advanced Placement program (AP) provides participating high schools the opportunity to offer college-level coursework to students in a variety of subject areas. AP scores range from 1 to 5 points. AP scores of 3, 4, 5 are commonly acceptable as the equivalent of college-level course work. Please view the Advanced Placement (AP) Credit Policy at NECC and complete the Advanced Placement (AP) Request form to get started!
Prior Coursework
- If you have previously attended another college/university, NECC will evaluate successfully completed courses to see if you are exempt from testing. Submit your transcript to transfer@necc.mass.edu.
Seal of Biliteracy
Students who submit a high school transcript or diploma with the Seal of Biliteracy designation are exempt from taking the Accuplacer reading and writing assessment tests. Complete the Seal of Biliteracy Request Form.
You Need to Take the ACCUPLACER
-If you enroll in a degree or certificate program
-If you enroll in any math, developmental reading, or English Composition I course
-Before you complete six credits
-If you are not exempt from taking ACCUPLACER
Steps required to take the ACCUPLACER
Steps required to take the ACCUPLACER
Go to ACCUPLACER Test Dates to complete the steps required to take ACCUPLACER
- You must have an NECC ID number.
- You must have photo identification.
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Walk-in testing is the preferred method of testing, and the days and times are available Monday-Friday at both Haverhill Campus and Lawrence Campus. No appointment is necessary. Testing can take up to 3 hours, so plan accordingly.
- ACCUPLACER virtual (remote) testing is offered on a limited basis.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Assessment
English as a Second Language (ESL) Assessment
If you are enrolling in the ESL Program, you will take the ESL Assessment which will evaluate your reading and writing levels. When you have completed your ESL Assessment, you will meet with an advisor. The advisor will help you to choose courses for your first semester.
Steps required to take the ESL Assessment:
Go to ACCUPLACER Test Dates to complete the steps required to take ACCUPLACER
- You must have a NECC ID number to take the ACCUPLACER test.
- Walk-in to test starting at 9:00 AM through 1:30 PM at the Haverhill Campus, Technology, TC122 and 9:00 AM through 2:00 PM at the Lawrence Campus, Dimitry Building, L135. No appointment is necessary. Testing can take up to 3 hours, so plan accordingly.
- To schedule virtual (remote) testing, complete the ACCUPLACER Testing Request Submission form. Once you submit your form you are provided instructions to schedule an appointment to test through EAB STUDENT NAVIGATE. (How to make an appointment in EAB Navigate).
Learn more about English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and support services.
Tips for Taking the ACCUPLACER
Tips for Taking the ACCUPLACER
Take Your Time and Do Your Best Work!
The reading and math testing is un-timed. The Writing Sample will be timed. You will have 50 minutes to type the best essay you can. The results of your test will determine whether you will first be required to begin with developmental courses prior to enrolling in college level courses. Developmental courses do not carry college credits.
Remember to be prepared about 10 Minutes early
This will give you time to be prepared to take your test at your scheduled time.
Relax! Do not worry if you are not familiar with computers
You do not need to know anything about computers to take the ACCUPLACER.
You will need to have your NECC ID number and a picture ID
If you do not have your NECC ID number, click here and fill out the required form to receive your NECC ID. You will receive your NECC ID number via email within 24 hours.
You are not allowed to use dictionaries, calculators, notebooks, or textbooks of any kind
You will be provided with scratch paper and there is a calculator enabled for select math questions.
Take advantage of ACCUPLACER Test Prep Resources to prepare for the ACCUPLACER
We have gathered sample questions, websites, videos, apps, and more to help you prepare for the ACCUPLACER MORE about 'Accuplacer Test Prep'
Request ACCUPLACER Scores
There are two options to request your scores:
1. Through the Academic Placement & Testing Center. To request your ACCUPLACER Individual Score Report (ISR) be sent to another institution, complete the Request to have ACCUPLACER Scores Released form and pay the non-refundable $25.00 processing fee on our Destiny One online payment system, or mail-in a money order, made payable to NECC, for $25.00 to Northern Essex Community College, 100 Elliott St., Haverhill, MA 01830, Attn: Donna Felisberto. (The ISR is only sent to another institution and not to the individual tester)
2. Go to the ACCUPLACER Student Portal and follow the instructions provided to you. (This is an outside service through the College Board)
Request ACCUPLACER Testing for another Institution
Testing is available at NECC for students that would like to request to take ACCUPLACER at NECC for another educational institution they plan on attending. If you would like to request this service, complete the Request for ACCUPLACER Testing for another Institution form and pay the non-refundable $25.00 fee on our Destiny One online payment system or mail-in a money order, made payable to NECC, for $25.00 to Northern Essex Community College, 100 Elliott St., Haverhill, MA 01830, Attn: Donna Felisberto.
This service is for non-NECC students. If you are a new or returning NECC students needing to take ACCUPLACER for NECC do not complete this form. If you are attending NECC and need to test, click here.
Other services
For information on other testing services, including Health Profession TEAS and Fundamentals exams, GED/HiSET testing, Certification exams, and more, visit Testing Services.
For information on how you can earn credit for prior learning, including CLEP/DSST, Language Proficiency and Challenge exams, Credential evaluations, Portfolio Reviews and Military evaluations, visit Credit for Prior Learning.
About Us
Click here for more information about the Academic Placement & Testing Center
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