
English Placement Testing
Remote and in-person English placement testing is now available Monday through Friday.
Join Us for Pop Up Test Center Info Sessions
Pop-up Test Center Info Sessions will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3PM to 4PM.
What are Pop-Up Test Center Info Sessions?
This is an opportunity to meet with a testing administrator via Zoom to discuss all things placement related, no appointment needed!
Join Pop-Up Test Center Info Sessions
HCC is Offering Two English Placement Test Options:
Guided Student Placement (GSP)
GSP is an online assessment that gives you the opportunity to answer questions about your experience and background.
The GSP assessment consists of eight self-reflection questions followed by a written response in essay format.
For more information, please refer to the Guided Student Placement (GSP) section below:
Next-Gen ACCUPLACER
ACCUPLACER is a computerized, adaptive, multiple-choice placement test to assess your English proficiency.
The ACCUPLACER assessment consists of two sections: reading and writing.
For more information, please refer to the Remote Next-Gen ACCUPLACER section below:
Register for your Remote or On-Campus English placement test appointment.
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Guided Student Placement (GSP)
Guided Student Placement (GSP) is an online assessment developed to allow students in conjunction with academic advising, multiple measures, and reflection questions follow by a written response to determine your English course placement. The assessment consists ten self-reflection questions followed by a written response in essay format. You will have a total of 180 minutes to complete the assessment.
Step 1 – Test your device to ensure you meet minimum requirements
You must have access to a computer that meets the minimum system requirements to test on Canvas. You may test using a desktop, laptop, Chromebook, tablet, or phone (desktop or laptop preferred). Visit HCC's technical requirements page to verify your system.
If you encounter any technical issues, please submit your own IT request to the Technology Service Center or call 443-518-4444.
If you have any specific questions about your test, contact the Test Center so we can assist you.
Step 2 – Schedule your appointment
The online Guided Student Placement assessment is scheduled by appointment only. Click here to register for your English placement test appointment.
When you register for your appointment, make sure to use your HCC email address and your seven-digit Student ID number. If you do not have an HCC email account, visit https://www.howardcc.edu/passwordservices to set your username and password.
On the evening before your appointment date, sign in to Canvas once to verify your login credentials. You can access the HCC Canvas page by clicking here and selecting HCC Credit Students, or by clicking Canvas under Tools and Resources on the HCC homepage. If you are unable to login to Canvas, please refer to the "Login Help" section on the HCC Canvas page. You will receive an invitation to join the English Guided Student Placement Canvas course on the day of your appointment.
On the day of your appointment, you will be required to login to Canvas to access the test. Note: If you have not logged in to Canvas prior to your appointment date, your appointment will be cancelled and you will be required to reschedule for a later date.
Step 3 – Prepare your workspace and test
Clear your workspace of everything except scratch paper and pencils. All other items must be removed from your workspace. Remember: cellphones and other devices are prohibited from use while testing!
Sit in a quiet place where you will be undisturbed while testing.
Visit the English Guided Student Placement Canvas course (via your email invitation link or directly through the HCC site). You will need to login using your HCC credentials to access Canvas.
Follow the steps on the English GSP Canvas course to complete your assessment.
Step 4 – Contact an advisor
It may take up to 72 hours for your assessment to be reviewed. If you will like to receive an email with your GSP placement result, please email the Test Center using your HCC email account. Once the assessment is reviewed, your next step is to contact an advisor via email or meet an advisor in-person or on zoom. For more information on how to meet an advisor go to www.howardcc.edu/advisinghours.
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Do you need to take an English Placement Test?
Contact an advisor to determine whether you need to take the English placement test or are exempt from taking the test. The following is a list of exemptions:
- High school unweighted GPA that is 3.0 or above in the last five years or
- A Score of 480 or higher on the critical reading portion of the SAT in the last five years or
- A Score of 21 or higher on the reading portion and also the English portion of the ACT in the last five years or
- “College ready” score on the Next-Generation ACCUPLACER English at a Maryland community college within the last two years or
- Completion of the highest developmental level of reading and writing at another Maryland community college or
- Transferred college-level English courses from an accredited college or university or
- Have the appropriate AP, CLEP, or DSST credit.
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Disability Accommodations
If you require accommodations such as the use of a screen reader, please contact Disability Support Services.