Preparing for Placement Tests
It is very important that you study for your placement test. We recommend spending at least two hours reviewing each test area – English and math. By obtaining a better score, you will have more class options and can get a head start towards achieving your academic goals.
Durham Tech English Test
The English portion of the Durham Tech placement test assesses a student’s readiness for ENG 111 based on content from the ENG 111 course and the skills needed to be successful in that course.
- What's on the Durham Tech English Test
Grammar
- Set of rules for writing and speaking
- Sentence Correction Practice
MLA Style
- An academic writing format for the humanities
- MLA Style Introduction (Purdue)
Paraphrasing
- Restatement of another person’s idea using your own words and structure while preserving the original meaning
- Paraphrasing Practice
Reading Comprehension
- Demonstrating an understanding of the meaning of a text
- Comprehension Practice
Reading Vocabulary
- Use of words by an author to communicate ideas directly or indirectly in a passage
- Vocabulary Practice
Reading Analysis
- Critical reading and interpretation of a passage
- Analysis Practice
Sentence Mechanics
- Technical rules that govern how words and structure form clear sentences
- A Complete Guide to the Mechanics of Writing
Source Credibility
- Judging the trustworthiness of a source
- Source Credibility Guide
Summarizing
- Process of condensing a text into essential ideas
- Summarizing Tutorial
Using transitions
- Using words or phrases to connect ideas and ensure a logical flow
- Transitions Tutorial
Writing Process
- Using a multi-stage approach for producing written work
- Writing Process Practice Questions
Students must earn an 85% or higher to place out of Developmental English classes and directly into ENG 111. See chart below.
Students may take the English portion of the Durham Tech placement test a maximum of two times.
| Durham Tech Placement Test and Scores | English Placement |
|---|---|
| English - 85% or higher | ENG 111 |
| English - 75% to 84% | ENG 111 and ENG 045 |
| English - 74% or lower | ENG 025 |
Durham Tech Math Test
There are two Durham Tech math placement tests: Students must earn an 80% on each test to place into a curriculum-level course (see chart below).
- What's on the Durham Tech Math Placement Test
Quantitative Literacy Test
- Whole Numbers
- Fractions and Mixed Numbers
- Decimals
- Order of Operations
- Ratios, Rates and Proportions
- Percents
- Measurement
- Descriptive Statistics
- Geometry
- Linear Equations
Algebra Test
- Real Numbers
- Solving Equations and Inequalities
- Graphing
- Exponents and Polynomials
- Functions
- Factoring
- Rational Expressions
- Radical Expressions
- Quadratic Equations
Students may take each Durham Tech math placement test a maximum of two times.
| Durham Tech Placement Test and Scores | Math Placement |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Literacy Placement Test - 80% or higher | MAT 143 or MAT 152 |
| Quantitative Literacy Placement Test - Less than 80% | MAT 025 or MAT 035 |
| Algebra Placement Test - 80% or higher | MAT 121 or MAT 171 |
| Algebra Placement Test - Less than 80% | MAT 025 or MAT 035 |
Durham Tech Placement Practice Tests
- Durham Tech Quantitative Literacy Practice Test (pdf)
- Durham Tech Algebra Practice Test (pdf)
- Durham Tech English Practice Test (Google Form)
- Practice Test Passage "Picked On" (pdf)
English Resources
Math Resources
Prep Step for Colleges (use Developmental Math for the Durham Tech Quantitative Literacy Test and Algebra for the Durham Tech Algebra Test)