Placement Process for Class Registration

TCC recommends as a best practice that you also complete TCC’s Directed Self Placements as part of your educational process.

WHY you should complete this step: 

1. Purpose of DSP: The primary goal of DSP is to determine the appropriate level of courses for individual students based on their current skill set. This involves considering factors such as standardized test scores, high school GPA, study practices, and a student's willingness to seek support.

2. Involvement of Faculty: The DSP is designed by English and Math faculty to highlight what students can expect in terms of course-level work. This ensures that the placement process is well-informed and aligned with academic expectations.

3. Honesty and Reflection: The emphasis on honesty and reflection during the DSP process underscores the importance of students accurately assessing their own abilities. This self-awareness is crucial for placing students in courses that provide the right balance of challenge and support.

4. Criteria Considered in DSP: The DSP takes into account various criteria, including standardized test scores (AP and SAT), high school GPA, study practices, and a student's willingness to seek support. This holistic approach ensures a comprehensive evaluation of a student's readiness for specific courses.

5. Study Practices Evaluation: Students are encouraged to evaluate their study habits and practices. Understanding how one approaches learning and studying provides valuable insights into academic abilities.

6. Willingness to Accept Support: The consideration of a student's openness to receiving support from faculty or tutoring is crucial. This willingness to seek assistance can significantly impact educational success and is an important aspect of the placement process.

7. Proactive and Student-Centered Approach: TCC's approach is described as proactive and student-centered, aiming to support academic success by tailoring course placements to individual strengths and needs. This approach acknowledges the diversity of student abilities and learning styles.

In summary, the Directed Self Placements at TCC are a thoughtful and comprehensive process aimed at ensuring that students are placed in courses that offer the right level of challenge and support, fostering a personalized and effective learning experience.

Back to top

TCC Accepts:

Unofficial Transcript from attendance at other college with grades of “C” or higher in English and Math and Sciences. This process is for Placement only, credits are obtained from the Enrollment Services Credential Evaluators

English Department Allows students who graduated from a U.S. high school within the last 10 years with an overall (cumulative) unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher to place into English&101. Please complete the Directed Self Placement to learn about the levels and support for English&101.

Washington state High School Chemistry Grade of “B” or higher taken for a full school year.

 

Back to top

Running Start students can only use their high school grades for placement.

Homeschool students and students with out-of-state high school transcripts should contact the Running Start department for placement instructions.

 

Back to top

If you are an International Student on a F-1 visa, you can find more information about placement here. 

English Proficiency is not required for admission. However, students who have taken an English proficiency test within the last two years are encouraged to submit their score with the online application. The following scores will place a student directly into college-level English (ENG 101).

· IELTS: 5.5

· TOEFL: 65 (iBT or iBT Special Home Edition)

· Duolingo: 90

· Pearson: 46

· Eiken: Pre-1 Level

· Oxford ELLT: Level 5 (Discount code for Oxford ELLT Digital: TCC10)

· SAT: 470 Reading Score

· ACT: 19

· Cambridge A & O Level Scores: C in English

· IB Diploma: Completion of full diploma or a score of 3 in English

· U.S. High School: Completion of two years at a U.S. high school with a 2.5 GPA in English

· U.S. College: Completion of one year with an overall 2.0 college level GPA

· Other Assessment: CEFR B2 Level

· Native-English proficiency: Ask our team if this applies to you!

Back to top

If you have Transcripts for a foreign country please have them evaluated before sending to TCC. You might expedite your first enrollment by completing TCC’s Directed Self Placement for English and Math. 

WORLD EDUCATION SERVICES, INC.
PO Box 5087
Bowling Green Station
New York NY 10274-5087
Phone: 212-966-6311; Email; Web site: www.wes.org

FOUNDATION FOR INTERNATIONAL SERVICES, INC.
505 5th Ave. South, Suite 101
Edmonds WA 98020
Phone: 425-248-2255; Email; Web site: www.fis-web.com

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS EVALUATION INSTITUTE, INC.
PO Box 6908
Beverly Hills CA 90212
Phone: 310-275-3530; Web site: www.acei1.com

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION SERVICES AACRAO
Phone: 509-577-7435; Email; Website: www.aacrao.org

Back to top

All Washington state community and technical colleges award credit for students who achieve certain scores on the Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge International (CI) exams. 

• Students pay exam fees.

You can find more information on how to send your AP, IB, or CI scores to TCC and how credits are granted, here.

• CI Scores Crosswalk for awarding credit for Cambridge International tests (PDF)

More information on the state board website here. 

Back to top

English scores must be from the last 10 years.
Math score must be from the last 2 years.

	ACT	SAT
ENGL& 101	19+	460+
MATH	23+	550+ for MATH 107, 146, 147, 131, 132, 93/136, and 96/140

 

Back to top

Most students should start the math placement process by taking the math DSP. The prerequisite for MATH-CR sections is completion of the math DSP. Neither test scores nor course completion can act as the prerequisite for MATH -CR classes. The math DSP will allow students to register for MATH 95, MATH 107, MATH 131/132, MATH 141, MATH 146, or MATH 147.

Running Start students cannot use the math DSP and must use high school course completion; and students trying to place into MATH 142, MATH 148, MATH 151, and higher, who must show completion of the prerequisite courses, or appropriate IB or AP scores.

Math Advising Resource Center (MARC)

Back to top

Use Placement Reciprocity, if you completed placement at another Washington State Community or Technical College within the last year. 

Link to SBCTC Site on Reciprocity 

Back to top

(Taken after 2013): 165-200 Reasoning through Language Arts Score for English 101.

Back to top