Placement Testing
Highland Community College does not require ACT or SAT scores in order to be admitted, but does require placement scores for reading, English, and math. Scores from the ACT or SAT will be used as placement scores for students who have taken those tests. Students who have NOT taken the ACT or SAT test will be given a COMPASS assessment test at HCC prior to enrolling in math, English, or reading courses. Students enrolling in off campus courses at HCC will take the ASSET placement test. The following table illustrates the scores needed on each of the placement tests for enrollment in HCC courses. Click here for a listing of placement tests offered across HCC's Norheast Kansas Region. Schedule your placement testing date by clicking here.
High School Transcript Placement
| Subject | Score | Placement |
| English | Cum. GPA of 2.74 or below | Fundamentals of English (no college credit) or Placement Test |
| English | Cum. GPA of 2.75 or above | College English I |
ACT Score Placement
| Subject | Score | Placement |
| English | 0-17 | Fundamentals of English (no college credit) or Placement Test |
| English | 18-36 | College English I |
| Reading | 0-16 | Reading Skills I (no college credit) or Placement Test |
| Reading | 17-36 | Adequate Reading Skills |
| Math | 0-15 | Fundamentals of Math (no college credit) or Placement Test |
| Math | 16-18 | Beginning Algebra or Placement Test |
| Math | 19-21 | Intermediate Algebra or Placement Test |
| Math | 22-36 | College Algebra or higher |
Compass Score Placement
| Subject | Score | Placement |
| Essay Writing | 0-4 | Fundamentals of English (no college credit) |
| Eessay Writing | 5-8 | College English I |
| Reading | 0-80 | Reading Skills I (no college credit) or Placement Test |
| Reading | 81-100 | Adequate Reading Skills |
| Math (Pre-Algebra) | 0-43 | Fundamentals of Math (no college credit) |
| Math (Pre-Algebra) | 44-100 | Beginning Algebra |
| Math (Algebra) | 0-25 | Fundamentals of Math (no college credit) |
| Math (Algebra) | 26-40 | Beginning Algebra |
| Math (Algebra) | 41-60 | Intermediate Algebra |
| Math (Algebra) | 61-100 | College Algebra or higher |
Asset Score Placement
| Subject | Score | Placement |
| Writing | 23-38 | Complete a writing sample |
| Writing | 39-54 | College English I |
| Writing Sample | N/A | Graded and recommendation given by faculty |
| Reading | 23-39 | Reading Skills I (no college credit) |
| Reading | 40-54 | Adequate Reading Skills |
| Numerical Skills | 23-39 | Fundamentals of Math (no college credit) |
| Numerical Skills | 40-53 | Beginning Algebra |
| Elementary Algebra | 23-29 | Take Asset Numerical Skills Test |
| Elementary Algebra | 30-35 | Beginning Algebra |
| Elementary Algebra | 36-45 | Intermediate Algebra |
| Elementary Algebra | 46-55 | College Algebra or higher |
Highland Community College Technical Center
Work Keys Informational Guide
Work Keys is a national system for teaching and assessing workplace skills that connects knowing with doing and learning with earning. Work Keys is a national system enabling education and business to work together to strengthen achievement of workplace skills. For additional information about the Work Keys assessment system, please visit www.act.org
All potential students seeking admission to Highland Community College Technical Center will be tested using the Work Keys Reading for Information and Applied Mathematics assessments.
Potential students are reminded that this is not a pass/fail test and that they are not competing against anyone. Reading for Information and Applied Mathematics scores are reported on a scale from 3 to 7; Level 3 is the least complex and Level 7 is most complex. Level 3 is established at the point where a business would begin to show interest in assessing individuals.
Reading for Information
33 multiple-choice questions that increase in difficulty. Test time is 55 minutes.
Applied Mathematics
33 multiple-choice questions that increase in difficulty. Test time is 55 minutes. Students can bring their own calculator or a calculator will be provided to use when taking the Applied Mathematics assessment.
Potential students need to inform testing staff when making their assessment appointment if they are/were ever on an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or considered for Special Educational Services while attending K-12. These students will be given special time consideration.
Work Keys Placement
| Program | Math Level | Reading Level |
| Accounting Specialist | 4 | 4 |
| Administrative Assistant | 4 | 4 |
| Auto Collision Repair | 4 | 4 |
| Automotive Technology | 5 | 5 |
| Building Trades | 4 | 4 |
| Computer Aided Drafting | 5 | 5 |
| Computer Support Technology | 5 | 5 |
| Diesel Technology | 5 | 5 |
| Electrical Technology | 5 | 5 |
| HVAC | 5 | 4 |
| Industrial Welding Technology | 4 | 4 |
| Medical Office Assistant | 4 | 5 |
| Practical Nursing | 5 | 6 |
| 1 |