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Testing Center - Main Campus
MPC 170, Main Campus
Tel: 847-214-7219
Fax: 847-608-5474
testing@elgin.edu
Hours: M-Th 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.; F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sa 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Fountain Square Campus
FSQ 408, Fountain Square Campus
Tel: 847-214-6977
Fax: 847-214-6991
Hours: M, T & Th 3 - 8 p.m.; W & F 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
 
Both locations closed Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays June - Aug.

Placement Tests Overview

English as a Second Language (ESL) Placement Test

ECC offers English as a second language (ESL) classes in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills for non-native English speakers. An assessment of English skills helps determine appropriate placement and success in classses. Please call the Adult Basic Education Center for more information at 847-214-6904 or stop by Room 365, Fountain Square Campus.

For information regarding intensive ESL (immersion English), please call 847-214-7163.

English/Writing Placement Test

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Enrollment in any English course (ENG prefix) is contingent upon certain criteria. ENG 101 and 102 fulfill general education requirements in communication for ECC degrees and transfer.

Any student wishing to take an English (ENG prefix) course must take the ECC English placement test OR meet one of the following criteria:

  1. 20 or higher on the English portion of the ACT; or
  2. Successful completion of ENG 098 or its equivalent at another school; or
  3. Attain the specified level from the ECC English placement test.

Allow two hours to adequately write the essay. English placement test results may take as long as 14 business days. Please plan accordingly to have the English placement test results completed prior to registration.  All placement test results can be viewed on AccessECC.

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If a student does not have high school and/or college transcripts and/or ACT scores on file in the ECC Records Office, only the ECC English placement test scores will be used to determine final placement.

For placement into advanced English composition (ENG 102), students must have successfully completed ENG 101 with a C or better at ECC or its equivalent at another college; or successfully complete the standardized CLEP Examination for ENG 101 and the ECC writing sample; or score 4 or better on the Advanced Placement Examination in English language and composition test. CLEP and AP students receive confirmation at their home within four to six weeks after the test.

GED/Pre-GED Placement Test

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Students interested in pre-GED and GED classes should call the Adult Basic Education Center at 847-214-6904 or stop by Room 365, Fountain Square Campus. An assessment of academic skills helps determine appropriate placement and success in classses.

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Math Placement Test

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Math requirements vary greatly based on a student’s major, degree or certificate. To ensure choosing the correct math course to fulfill your major, speak with a counselor before registering.

Any student wishing to take a mathematics (MTH prefix) course must take the ECC math placement test OR meet one of the following criteria:

  1. Students with a math ACT score of 23 or higher fulfill the prerequisite for initial placement in the following entry-level classes: MTH 101, 102, 110, or 112.

    Note: Even though a score of  23 will exempt you from the placement exam, you may wish to take ECC’s math placement test to qualify for higher-level math courses.

  2. Students with a math ACT score of 28 or higher who have completed a high school or college trigonometry course with a C or better fulfill the prerequisite for initial placement in MTH 133.

    Note:  ACT scores are valid for two years from the date the test was taken.

  3. Students with a math ACT score of 28 or higher fulfill the prerequisite for initial placement in MTH 114, 120, 125 or MTH 126.
  4. Successful completion of a college-level mathematics course.

Allow one hour and bring a calculator and a pencil. To determine final placement, the student is encouraged to meet with an ECC counselor to review test scores and high school and/or college transcripts.

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If a student does not have high school and/or college transcripts and/or ACT scores on file in the ECC Records Office, only ECC math placement test scores will be used to determine final placement.

Reading Placement Test

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Some courses or programs carry a reading prerequisite. Check course prerequisites or other course requirements to see if you need this test, or ask your counselor.

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ECC’s official reading placement test is the Compass reading test which supersedes the DRP (Degrees of Reading Power) test. An ACT reading score of 18 or a Compass reading score of 80 satisfies the reading minimum competencies for ECC.