PLEASE NOTE:

  • Students who place into* only one ESL course are not required to take ENGL 085.
  • Students who place into* both an ESL reading course AND an ESL writing course are required to take ENGL 085.
  • New students to HCC who have not taken the college’s Placement Test yet must take the Placement Test before taking the OLA ( contact the Test Center – RCF 366).

*place into refers to test results from the HCC Placement Test

  • ENGL 085 is an advanced level course. It must be taken
    • AFTER SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING ENGL 083 and/or 084 OR 
    • WITH ENGL 086 and/or ENGL 087 OR
    • AFTER ENGL 086 and/or ENGL 087
  • ENGL 085 must be taken BEFORE ENGL 121.


If you are required to take ENGL 085 and your speaking skills are strong, you may be exempted from the requirement by passing the Oral Language Assessment (OLA). The OLA is taken electronically and will be offered on the dates listed at the bottom of this page. To register for one of the dates listed, please fill out this form and click on the SUBMIT button below.

 
The OLA is offered several times each semester. Each date is limited to 6 students. Please put a make a first choice and a second choice.
First Choice*
Second Choice

You will be contacted via your HCC email account at least 4 days before your scheduled exam with the date and location of your exam.

Questions? Email OLA@howardcc.edu.