ACCUPLACER Testing

Trenholm State offers placement testing services to support students’ academic endeavors. Students not meeting the college readiness criteria must complete the ACCUPLACER Placement Test before enrolling in English or mathematics courses.  The ACCUPLACER Test is a computerized assessment of the subjects of Math and English used to ensure proper enrollment in courses. Students who are required to take the ACCUPLACER Placement Test will be contacted via email by the Student Success Center Testing Services, informing the student of their testing requirements and how to register for the test.  

The ACCUPLACER Test is free of charge to students who will take the test for the first time, but students who retest must pay a $10 fee per section and will need to complete remediation. Retesting fees must be paid in the Business Office prior to retesting. For more information on the ACCUPLACER Test, visit our website at www.trenholmstate.edu/ssc, or email testingservices@trenholmstate.edu. 

Policy on Placement Testing

No tests are required for general admission to Trenholm State Community College but may be required for placement in college-level courses. However, students must have applied for enrollment to the Admissions Office and must present photo identification at the time of testing.

First-time college students may have ACT, SAT or GED (2014 series) scores considered for placement in college-level English and math if those scores have been earned within 5 years. If test scores are not available or not at the appropriate level, then students who have graduated high school within 5 years with a 2.75-grade point average (GPA) may have their grades in English IV (senior English) and Algebra II considered for placement in college-level English and math. Students must have the results of their ACT, SAT or GED and high school transcripts forwarded to Trenholm State to be used for placement purposes.

First-time students without proof of appropriate ACT, SAT or GED scores, those with scores below the established guidelines, or those without proof of a 2.75-grade point average or higher on their final high school transcript, must register online to take the ACCUPLACER Placement Assessment in writing and mathematics prior to meeting with an advisor to enroll in Math and English courses.

Students who transfer from a regionally accredited college without a C or better in a degree-creditable English composition and college-level algebra course and without exemptions as listed below, will be required to take one or both parts of the placement test.

All entering students who enroll in associate degree or certificate programs will be assessed at the appropriate level as indicated by the assessment results.

The following students are exempt from the placement test:

• Any student with acceptable ACT scores, final high school GPA and/or course grades, within five years of enrollment. However, students who wish to improve their course placement may take the state placement test
• Any student who has an associate degree or higher
• Any student who transfers degree-creditable, college-level English or mathematics courses with a grade of “C” or better from an accredited institution
• Any student who has successfully completed required developmental coursework at another Alabama Community College System college or an accredited college. Course descriptions from institutions outside of the Alabama Community College System must be reviewed
• Any student who scores 165 or higher on the Mathematical Reasoning or Reasoning Through Language Arts subject tests of the 2014 series GED
• Any transient student with documentation
• Any student who is enrolling for personal enrichment purposes only
• Any student who is enrolling in short-term certificate programs having no English, Reading, or Math requirements

Click on the link https://www.trenholmstate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ACCUPLACER_Exemptions1.pdf for more details on exemptions.

Ability-to-Benefit Testing

An applicant can enter certain programs without a high school diploma or GED certificate. Applicants applying to H. Councill Trenholm State Community College under this provision must pass the Ability-to-Benefit Test. The College will notify all applicants prior to enrollment each semester of the time, date, and place for the scheduled Ability-to-Benefit examination. For additional information, please contact the Office of Admissions at (334) 420-4310.

If testing or retesting for the Ability to Benefit, all three sections of the test must be taken in one testing session. The fee for retaking the Assessment is $24.00 and must be paid in the Cashier’s Office. Please discuss taking a retest with testing personnel before paying the fee. Retest scores will replace previous scores.

Testing Services

The following testing services are available at H. Councill Trenholm State Community College. Please call the numbers listed below for additional information.