Placement Testing

Durham Tech uses placement tests in subjects like math and English to check the academic skill levels of entering students to ensure they are placed in classes at the right level. Carefully review the placement information below.

If you are eligible to take placement tests, view the testing options and schedule.

New Student Placement Testing

Durham Tech accepts students’ college transcripts; unweighted high school GPA; and ACT, SAT, GED®, HiSET®, NCDAP, COMPASS, ASSET, and ACCUPLACER scores for college placement. Learn how to submit test scores to Durham Tech.

Students who have completed associate degrees or higher from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States are college-ready and can take any gateway 100-level course on their plan of study. Students with associate degrees or higher from other countries should contact the Center for the Global Learner for support.  

Students who do not already hold an associate degree or higher from the United States must use their unweighted high school GPA for placement if they graduated from an accredited high school in the United States. ACT, SAT, GED, HiSET, NCDAP, COMPASS, ASSET, and ACCUPLACER scores can be used for placement within 10 years from the date taken. 

Students who lack an unweighted high school GPA and who have ACT, SAT, GED, HiSET, NCDAP, COMPASS, ASSET, and/or ACCUPLACER scores from the past 10 years that do not place them into college-level courses (with or without corequisite support courses) will be required to take the RISE placement test.

Only the following students are allowed to take the RISE placement tests:

• Students whose US high school GPA is not unweighted;

• Students whose unweighted high school GPA is not from a U.S. high school, and they have been referred by the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) department after first taking Accuplacer ESL placement test; 

• Students whose ACT, SAT, GED, HiSET, NCDAP, COMPASS, ASSET, or ACCUPLACER scores from the past 10 years do not place them into college-level courses (with or without corequisite support course);

• Students who lack Career and College Ready Graduate (CCRG) grades or DMA or DRE credits

• Students who are referred by the English for Academic Purposes department

• Career and College Promise (CCP) students who lack qualifying high school GPA or test scores for college-level coursework

If high school records or test scores are  unavailable, students must take or retake the placement test unless they have been continuously enrolled in classes. Students are considered continuously enrolled at the College if they register for and attend courses (including prerequisites) creditable toward a degree, diploma, or certificate in a following semester after the initial enrollment semester (attendance is required in the following fall or spring semester or the following spring or fall semester). Students who do not attend classes for two consecutive semesters (not including summer term) must reapply and retest if their scores are older than 10 years.

Taking Placement Tests at Durham Tech

Durham Tech administers the RISE placement tests to eligible students. The RISE placement tests include two RISE English tests and three RISE Math tests. All RISE placement tests are multiple choice, administered by computer and untimed. Most students need 45-60 minutes to complete each of the RISE tests.

There are two RISE English tests. You must pass the first RISE English test with a score of 70 percent or higher to qualify to take the second RISE English test.

There are three RISE Math tests. You must pass the first RISE Math test with a score of 70 percent or higher to qualify to take the second RISE Math test. You must pass the second RISE Math test with a score of 70 percent or higher to take the third RISE Math test.

There is no fee to take any portion of the test. Your scores will be shared with your academic advisor, who will assist you with academic planning and course selection.

It is critical that you take time to prepare for the placement test. Studying for the test will allow you to achieve your best score as well as save time and money with the highest possible course placement. View more information about preparing for RISE placement tests.

If special accommodations are required due to functional limitations from a disability, contact Accessibility Services for more information.

Accuplacer ESL Testing

Students who did not graduate from a US high school or who do not speak US English as their first language will first take the Accuplacer ESL test in reading, language use, sentence meaning, and listening in order to assess cultural and linguistic components of their skill levels. After this test, they will meet with the director of Academic EFL or an EFL instructor and will be placed in the appropriate class or will be directed to take the NCDAP test in reading/writing/math. View more information about Accuplacer ESL testing.