Placement Testing
Contact Us:
- Highland Main Campus
- (785) 442-6159
- Technical Center
- Western Center
- Early College
- HCC Online
- (785) 442-6171
- hcconline@highlandcc.edu
All students (including Early College students) taking classes at HCC are required to have the appropriate placement scores in math, reading, and English.
HCC accepts ACT scores and SAT scores, but does not require students to take these tests for admissions. HCC will also consider an unweighted high school GPA or GED for placement. Students who have an ACT or SAT score can choose to take ACCUPLACER to move up in placement.
Schedule Your Test
ACCUPLACER Test
Students who have no placement, or outdated placement, will be given the ACCUPLACER NG assessment test prior to enrolling in English and math courses. The following guides outline the scores needed on each of the accepted options for enrollment in HCC courses.
WorkKeys Placement Testing
WorkKeys is a national system for teaching and assessing workplace skills that connects knowing with doing and learning with earning. WorkKeys enables education and business to work together to strengthen achievement of workplace skills.
Early College Test
Early College enrollment is open to qualified high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Some courses have prerequisite requirements. These prerequisites ensure that you are academically prepared for your college class.
Frequent questions
Students enrolling in a technical program are required to take two WorkKeys Assessments: Applied Math and Workplace Documents. Use the link below to learn more about the score requirements for each program.
HCC may provide placement testing on-site at partner high schools. The ACCUPLACER may be taken at all HCC locations.
Online students can test at any HCC location that offers ACCUPLACER testing. Students not located in Northeast Kansas may also test at another college using a testing Voucher created by Highland. The Voucher allows their scores to be sent to Highland for placement. Virtual testing options are available with a fee paid to Examity. Please confirm test needs with the HCC Online office prior to testing. The student is responsible for any fees associated with testing outside of Highland. Highland's course placement may differ from the testing school placement.
New students will have the opportunity to take placement scores on any of the enrollment days on the Main Campus.
Students who would like to take placement tests prior to an enrollment day may do so at any HCC Center (Atchison, Baileyville, Highland). Please sign up for a placement test at least 24 hours in advance of the testing time.
- ACCUPLACER Test = Free for the first test for students enrolling at HCC. Test re-takes are $25.
- WorkKeys Test = $15 per test
Students may choose to re-take the ACCUPLACER test up to three (3) times per subject. A waiting period of two (2) weeks between the first and second tests and six (6) weeks between the second and third tests must be observed.
Students can retake the WorkKeys assessment four times without a waiting period. After testing four times, you must wait 30 days before you can retest.
Students need to bring a picture ID to verify their identification.
Pencils, scratch paper and calculators are provided for students. No outside materials are allowed in the testing room.
If you request accommodations, please complete the Self-Identification form and an AACCccessibility Coordinator will contact you about documentation and accommodations.
Students tend to test better if they practice sample questions before the test.
ACCUPLAER Resources - College Board offers free study materials and sample questions to help students prepare for the ACCUPLACER exams. edready.org also offers free resource.
WorkKeys - Free Practice test, download here.