Get Ready to Take the Placement Tests

Many students may have evidence of college readiness that can exempt them from part or all of the placement process. Please read our exemptions and waivers page to learn more. Return to this page when you're ready for the placement test.

Most students will take the placement test after applying to PGCC and completing student orientation. Students who have not properly applied to the school cannot start placement. Once you’ve submitted your application, follow these steps to complete your placement test:

Take the Placement Tests in Person

Here are the instructions for taking the placement test in person at one of our locations following the submission of your application. Feel free to read about the placement tests before you come to the testing center. Once you arrive, you must complete any required forms and show your photo ID to take the test. 

Please ensure that you have sufficient time to complete the placement tests. Incoming students taking Reading, English, and Math Readiness tests may need up to three hours to complete them. However, not all tests must be taken on the same day.

The Testing Center is located in Bladen Hall, Room 100, at PGCC's main campus in Largo, MD, or in room UTC-134 at University Town Center in Hyattsville, MD. Please refer to our hours for the Testing Center for times and availability. All students must abide by the rules and guidelines at all locations.

Take the Placement Tests Online

Students may request online access to the ACCUPLACER tests if they have an active myPGCC account and a supported computer. The online platforms require you to install software that monitors and records your screen, microphone, and webcam to protect the integrity of the tests. After you finish the test, the Testing Center staff will have access to the recordings for a limited time. If you do not wish to use this software or do not consent to be recorded, we invite you to take the test in person. Other restrictions are below.

  • Students who need the ESL test must visit a PGCC campus.
  • WDCE students needing online program placement should visit our WDCE placement testing site.
  • Students in Early College Access programs must also take the placement test in person at an appropriate location. These programs include Dual Enrollment, Concurrent Enrollment, P-TECH, ITEC, the Academy for Health Sciences, and many others.

Guidelines and requirements for online placement tests

Because of the software requirements, you must request access to the online placement test. The Testing Center may deny access to online placement tests for any reason, including exceeding the limits on test attempts, network outages, not meeting the requirements below, etc.

  • The College uses ProctorU for the online ACCUPLACER tests.
  • ProctorU requires scheduling your test session at least three days in advance. If you need to take an online placement test sooner, ProctorU will charge an extra fee.
  • The placement tests do not work on Chromebooks, phones, and tablets. You must take the test on a desktop or laptop computer running recent versions of Windows or macOS.
  • Your computer must have a webcam, microphone, and fast, reliable internet access.
  • There is no penalty if the monitoring software and websites do not work, but you must take the placement test in person.
  • Please ensure that anything you wish to keep private is not visible or audible. Please take the test in person if you do not want to be recorded.
  • Test your webcam to ensure your entire face is visible and well-lit. Any hats or coverings should reveal your face. Test your microphone for clear sound.
  • Use the same photo ID for each stage of the test process.
  • Before starting the test, close all programs, apps, browser tabs, or windows with other content.
  • During the room scan, include your clean scratch paper and pencils in the webcam’s view. Show the entire room, not just the ceiling or floor.
  • Try to avoid moving or tilting your computer, and ensure it is on a firm surface.

Rules for taking online placement tests

The Testing Center has additional rules for online placement tests. Violating these or other testing center rules will cause the College to reject your test attempt. Each online platform may have additional rules that can trigger rejection. A rejected test attempt causes the College to invalidate your scores and remove them from your student record. All future attempts must be at a College Testing Center in person.

  • You must complete the test in one sitting. Ensure you’re alone and remain at your computer without interruptions for the entire test.
  • You cannot use phones, tablets, calculators, smartwatches, or any other devices while taking the test. We recommend turning them off until the test is over.
  • Take the placement test by yourself. Other people cannot help or be present while taking the test.
  • Keep your webcam and microphone running for the entire test session.
  • Before starting the test, close all programs, apps, browser tabs, or windows with other content. Accessing any content outside of the test on any device may trigger rejection.
  • Do not use your phone, calculator, smartwatch, tablet, or other devices while taking the test.
  • Do not wear earphones or other Bluetooth devices while taking the test.
  • The only resources allowed are clean scratch paper, pens or pencils, and accessibility tools for disabled students.

Request access to online placement tests

Use the button below to start the online placement request form. The testing center will reach out to you via email after one to three business days to approve or deny your request. If we approve your request, we will send more instructions to the email address that you gave us.

request an online placement test

Placement Testing ID Requirements

Students must present one of these forms of photo ID for placement tests, waivers, and exemptions:

  • PGCC student ID or employee ID card (with name and photo)
  • State-issued driver's license
  • Maryland state (MVA) ID card
  • Employer's ID (with name and photo)
  • Valid passport
  • U.S. Uniformed Service ID Card (military ID)
  • U.S. DoD Common Access Card
  • Permanent Resident Card (Green Card/Form I-551)
  • Employment Authorization Document (work permit)

Placement Testing Rules

Please complete all tests on your own using appropriate resources, such as a pencil and blank scratch paper.

  • Math tests provide a built-in calculator resource only for questions that require them. Students are not permitted to use their own calculators on the placement test.
  • Inappropriate resources include, but are not limited to, the following: other people, books, notes, the internet, phones, tablets, calculators, computers, smart watches, etc.
  • If the College finds evidence that a student used an inappropriate resource while taking a placement test, their test scores will be invalidated and removed from their student record. Then, the student must take all future placement tests in person.
  • Incoming students must follow the College's Code of Conduct and other Testing Center rules.

Closures and Reduced Hours (Summer 2025)

See Hours and Schedule for service and campus availability.

Closed All Day

  • May 24-26 (Memorial Day)
  • May 29
  • May 31
  • June 19 (Juneteenth)
  • July 4 (Independence Day)

Reduced Hours

  • May 30 (8:30 a.m. - Noon)
  • June 6, 13, 20, and 27 (8:30 a.m. - Noon)
  • July 11, 18, and 25 (8:30 a.m. - Noon)
  • August 1 (8:30 a.m. - Noon)
  • August 16 and 23: placement only (9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)

Bring Your PGCC Student ID Number

After applying to the school and paying your application fee, you will be assigned a student ID number to be used for placement tests, registration, and exams. You may find this number on your bill, on your schedule, in Owl Link, and in PGCC Navigate. If you have one, your student ID number is also encoded in the barcode of your PGCC ID card.

Bring One Quarter for the Locker Room

At the Largo campus Testing Center, students are only allowed to have the following items at their desks: photo ID, pen or pencil, and a testing center locker key (if a locker is used). All other possessions brought into the center must be secured in a locker, which requires a quarter for use. The locker will return this quarter after a student reopens it to retrieve their possessions. Change is not available from our staff.

Sample Tests and Study Guides

This list of online resources can help students improve skills needed for the placement tests. Some may also be useful after starting courses.

Who takes the ESL Accuplacer test?

The ESL Accuplacer test is for incoming international students who need to demonstrate their level of English and Reading Readiness. However, international students may take the same English and Reading placement tests as U.S. students if they satisfy any of the following conditions:

  • Must have completed at least four years of high school education in the U.S.
  • Must have a diploma obtained by passing the GED tests in the U.S.
  • Must be from any of the following countries:
    • Antigua & Barbuda
    • Australia
    • The Bahamas
    • Barbados
    • Belize
    • Bermuda
    • Canada
    • Cayman Islands
    • Commonwealth of Dominica
    • Grenada
    • Guyana
    • Ireland
    • Jamaica
    • Montserrat
    • New Zealand
    • St. Kitts and Nevis
    • St. Lucia
    • St. Vincent and the Grenadines
    • Solomon Islands
    • Trinidad & Tobago
    • Turks and Caicos Islands
    • United Kingdom
    • United States of America
    • Virgin Islands

After Finishing the Placement Tests

Students will immediately receive a printed copy of their scores for the in-person placement tests. Instructors must evaluate the ESL test, which takes two to three business days. Typically, all scores will be posted to a student's record within two business days of receiving final scores from tests or assessments. Still, holidays and other college closures might delay this process. All students must make an appointment with an adviser, who will evaluate their scores and help them choose classes.

Contacting An Advisor

After you finish the placement process, you must contact an advisor to register for courses. Visit the advising website to ask questions and schedule appointments.

ALEKS-PPL Prep and Learning Modules

When you finish the ALEKS-PPL math placement test, the ALEKS platform creates a series of prep and learning modules to help you improve your math skills for another attempt. The study modules do not work on phones and tablets. You must use a desktop or laptop computer running recent versions of Windows or macOS. You may also use recent Chromebook models. Use the yellow button below to log into ALEKS-PPL and continue working. This link is not the placement test.

ALEKS-PPL STUDY MODULE

Getting Copies of Placement Test Scores

If you have already taken a placement test at a PGCC campus within the last four years, you may request a printed copy of your placement test scores from the Testing Center. You must come to the Testing Center in person and show a valid photo ID to get your scores. The testing center is located in Bladen Hall, Room 100, at PGCC's main campus in Largo, MD.

Questions? Contact Us

Phone: 301-546-0147 | 301-546-0090 

Email: testingcenter@pgcc.edu

Prince George's Community College
Bladen Hall, Room 100
301 Largo Road
Largo, MD 20774

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