ACCUPLACER English Placement

Students entering Oakland Community College may submit SAT, ACT scores, English college transfer credit or meet the ACCUPLACER placement exemptions.

Placement testing is a service provided by Oakland Community College to determine placement into OCC classes only. Visit the ACCUPLACER page for more details.

  • To insure proper course placement, testing is mandatory for all new students who have not met the ACCUPLACER placement exemptions.
  • Placement tests measure skill accomplishment in reading and writing.
  • Scores indicate skill levels only; there is no passing or failing.
  • Allow approximately 2½ hours for testing.
  • An OCC student ID number and a photo ID must be presented in order to take the placement test.

All placement testing can be taken at the Academic Support Center at any campus.

Students with disabilities who may need assistance on Placements should contact the ACCESS office prior to taking the test.  They will need to provide documentation of a qualifying disability and its functional limitation.

EXEMPTIONS

OPTION 1:  Use your SAT Evidence Based Writing Score.  If you have a SAT score of 480 or higher on the Evidence Based Reading and Writing and 25 or higher on the writing and language test, take your results to the Counseling office for verification. Your scores will be entered into the system for placement in ENG 1510, Composition I. If your score is lower than 480, see option 2 and 3.

OPTION 2:  Check the other exemptions list below.  If you qualify for an exemption, visit a Counseling office with the paperwork to verify the exemption and your scores will be entered into the system.

OPTION 3:  Take ACCUPLACER Placement Test.  Before taking ACCUPLACER, you must complete the online practice module. Log into MyOCC. Under Academics Profile, select ACCUPLACER English Practice.  The online practice will help you prepare for the placement test.  Upon completion, visit the Academic Support Center to take the Placement Test.

OTHER EXEMPTIONS

  • You have documentation of an Advanced Placement English score of 3 or higher
  • Documentation of a CLEP score in Composition that is the equivalent of ENG 1510
  • You have scored 38 or higher on the combined English and Reading sub-test of the ACT with a minimum of 18 on each section.
  • You have a transcript showing achievement of a grade of "C" or higher in an equivalent college-level composition course
  • You have been admitted to OCC as a college guest student with a College Guest Application (Note: guest applications must be renewed each semester or enrollment; also note high school guests are not exempt.)
  • You have earned an associate degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university that includes an ENG 1510 equivalent.

Preparing for ACCUPLACER 

NEW STUDENTS whose native language is English must take the ACCUPLACER English Placement Assessment unless they meet one of the exemptions. (see exemptions)  The assessment includes a reading section and an essay-writing section.

Your scores on each section are used to determine your placement into English courses and your eligibility to take other courses at OCC.  Many courses have prerequisites that require a placement into ENG 1510 (Composition I).  Placing into the right course can save you time and money.  

All placement testing can be taken at the Academic Support Center at any campus.

Students with disabilities who may need assistance on Placements should contact the ACCESS office prior to taking the test.  They will need to provide documentation of a qualifying disability and its functional limitation.

Complete the Mandatory ACCUPLACER Practice

To complete the Mandatory ACCUPLACER Practice, you must:

  1. Log into MyOCC.
  2. On the Students Menu under Pre-Registration Steps, click on ACCUPLACER English Practice.
  3. Sign in with your MyOCC username and password.
  4. Click on ACCUPLACER English Practice. The practice will take about an hour to complete and is available 24/7 on all devices.
  5. After you have completed the survey at the end of the practice, remember to click Mark Course Completed.

You can complete the practice at home or on campus at any Library or Academic Support Center. After you have completed the practice, schedule a placement test appointment. 

Scheduling a Placement Test Appointment

Click on the Placement Test Schedule box for more information. Contact your home campus Academic Support Center (ASC) or Testing Center to schedule an appointment. Allow 90 minutes to complete both sections of ACCUPLACER.

ACCUPLACER App

The ACCUPLACER Web App has been developed by the College Board and is intended to familiarize you with the basic content areas of ACCUPLACER. This app is not designed to serve as a substitute for an actual ACCUPLACER test, nor does it guarantee that you will receive a specific score on an actual ACCUPLACER test.

Writeplacer

You will be asked to write an essay to show how effectively you can develop and express your ideas in writing. 

Write Placer Samples & Writing Tips