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.
- RISE Placement Tests
RISE English Test
There are two RISE English placement tests. Students must earn a 70% on each test to advance to the next. That is, if students earn a 70% or higher on Test 1, then they can take Test 2. If students do not earn a 70% or higher on Test 1, then they cannot take Test 2.
Student performance on each RISE English test corresponds with the RISE tiers that are used for placement into college-level courses with or without corequisite support and into the ENG 002 Transition English course.
Students may take the RISE English placement test a maximum of two times.
RISE Placement Test and Scores English Placement Tier 2/Test 2 - 70% or higher ENG 111 Tier 1/Test 1 - 70% or higher ENG 111 and ENG 011 Tier 1/Test 1 - Less than 70% ENG 002 What's on the RISE English Tests
Tier 1/Test 1
- Introduction to College Reading and Writing
- Identifying Main Ideas
- Discovering Implied Meaning
- Interpreting Bias
- Analysis through Definition
- Learning Across Disciplines
Tier 2/Test 2
- Exploring Comparative Elements
- Informed Opinions through Causal Chains
- Applied Critical Analysis
- Using Sources in Critical Reading and Writing
RISE Math Test
There are three RISE math placement tests. Students must earn a 70% on each test to advance to the next. That is, if students earn a 70% or higher on Test 1, then they can take Test 2. If students do not earn a 70% or higher on Test 2, then they cannot take Test 3.
Student performance on each RISE math test corresponds with the RISE tiers that are used for placement into college-level courses with or without corequisite support and into the MAT 003 Transition Math course.
Students may take the RISE math placement test a maximum of two times.
RISE Placement Test and Scores Math Placement Tier 3/Test 3 - 70% or higher MAT 121
MAT 171Tier 2/Test 2 - 70% or higher MAT 121 and MAT 021
MAT 143
MAT 152
MAT 171 and MAT 071Tier 1/Test 1 - 70% or higher MAT 110
MAT 143 and MAT 043
MAT 152 and MAT 052Tier 1/Test 1 - Less than 70% MAT 003 What's on the RISE Math Tests
Tier 1/Test 1
- Whole Numbers
- Fractions and Mixed Numbers
- Decimals
- Ratios, Rates and Proportions
- Percents
- Measurement
- Geometry
- Real Numbers
Tier 2/Test 2
- Solving Equations and Inequalities
- Graphing
- Exponents and Polynomials
- Concepts in Statistics
Tier 3/Test 3
- Factoring
- Rational Expressions
- Radical Expressions and Quadratic Equations
- Functions
Rise Practice Tests
Consider exploring the following websites to prepare for the placement test:English Resources
Math Resources- Durham Tech Placement Tests
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.
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
What's on the Durham Tech English TestGrammar
- 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
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).
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
What's on the Durham Tech Math Placement TestQuantitative 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
Durham Tech Placement Practice Tests
English Resources
Math ResourcesPrep Step for Colleges (use Developmental Math for the Durham Tech Quantitative Literacy Test and Algebra for the Durham Tech Algebra Test)