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Academic Placement

When you become a NECC student, you are required to place into your courses before registering. The Academic Placement & Testing Center offers an academic assessment tool to help determine appropriate course placement.  However, you may be exempt from taking the academic assessment.
Learn more about Academic Assessment

See our Placement Schedule

Credit for Prior Learning 

Do you have a career or military experience? Are you proficient with computers and software? Do you speak Spanish or another language? Then you may be able to earn college credit for your knowledge and skills. With NECC’s Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), you can save money, move through the sequence of courses at a faster pace, and graduate quicker!
Learn more about Credit for Prior Learning

Testing Services

As a National College Testing Association (NCTA) certified testing center, we offer a variety of testing services. Whether you are looking to earn college credit by completing a CLEP/DSST exam on a certain subject, take a Pearson VUE or Kryterion test for licensure and certifications, take the GED or HiSET to earn your high school equivalency credential, or take the ATI TEAS test for our health profession programs, we can help.
Learn more about our Testing Services

Hours

Hours

The Academic Placement & Testing Center student service hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM in-person or virtually. Extended hours are offered in Lawrence on Tuesdays until 7:00 PM and extended hours are offered in Haverhill on Wednesdays until 7:00 PM in-person or virtually.

College Closings

The Testing Center is closed when the college is closed, and no testing services are available.

When NECC is closed due to weather or an emergency, an alert banner will appear at the top of this page.

Mission Statement

Mission Statement

As a member of the National College Testing Association (NCTA), the Academic Placement and Testing Center adheres to the NCTA Professional Standards and Guidelines. Northern Essex Community College provides a high-quality, professional testing environment for NECC students and residents of the greater Merrimack Valley and surrounding area. The Testing Center is committed to maintaining the integrity of high-stakes testing for academic placement, for the provision of academic credit, and for professional licensures and certifications. Testing Center services align with NECC’s mission statement, strategic plan, and academic master plan by recognizing and appreciating the diversity of the student population and community. The Academic Placement and Testing Center is dedicated to providing the tools and services that enable each individual to achieve his or her academic and professional goals.

Policy

The Academic Placement & Testing Center adheres to the general policies, ethical practices and guidelines issued by the National College Testing Association (NCTA) and Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education, as outlined below:

  1. Develop and implement a mission statement consistent with the policies and standards set forth in this document as well as their institutional mission.
  2. Operate with adequate financial resources to support the mission of the test center.
  3. Maintain adequate physical facilities in a location suitable to the requirements of the test center and the needs of examinees, which includes compliance with minimum legal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  4. Operate in a diligent manner to promote honesty, integrity, and fairness in all procedures.
  5. Operate under the guidelines of equal opportunity, affirmative action, and the ADA, as well as other local, state, and federal regulations.
  6. Protect the integrity of the test by following appropriate exam handling and storage procedures and by ensuring vigilant proctoring.
  7. Protect the confidentiality and rights of privacy of examinees and staff, defined by FERPA and other regulations.
  8. Adhere to program requirements of test companies in the administration of specific tests.
  9. Adhere to requirements and policies of their institutions in the administration of classroom exams and other assessments.
  10. Treat examinees in a fair, courteous, professional, and nondiscriminatory manner.
  11. Respond to examinee concerns with respect while maintaining the integrity of the administration.
  12. Make referrals to other campus offices and testing resources, as needed, to provide students and clients with the most appropriate services of the institution and community.
  13. Develop and implement site-specific guidelines for test center operations and staff training.
  14. Evaluate the programs of the test center in an on-going, systematic, and comprehensive manner.

The Academic Placement & Testing Center adheres to specific regulations outlined by individual test companies, including prohibited items.

For test companies that may not list prohibited items, the Academic Placement & Testing Center has determined prohibited items will include, but not limited to cell phones, digital watches, smart watches, internet, textbooks, dictionaries and calculators. Note: Exceptions will be made for students with documented accommodations.

Prohibited items must be stored in an area where they cannot be accessed or visible while the test session is in process. They may be stored in a locker, provided by the test center or in a personal item where the prohibited item is not accessible or visible.

References

Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education
(2004, Washington, DC: Joint Committee on Testing Practices)

National Certification Testing Association
(https://www.ncta-testing.org/)

Contact Us

Contact Us

Students may contact us via email at testing@necc.mass.edu. In your message, please include your name, email address, phone number, and the reason for contacting us.

Haverhill Campus

Hartleb Technology Center TC122
100 Elliott Street
Haverhill, MA 01830

Lawrence Campus

Dimitry Building L135
45 Franklin Street
Lawrence, MA 01840

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