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:

Placement Testing ID Requirements

Students must present one of the following forms of photo ID for placement tests, waivers, and exemptions. All IDs must be undamaged with a legible name and photo. 

Note: Please bring your original ID cards or passport books. The testing center cannot accept photos or copies.

  • PGCC student ID or employee ID card (with name and photo)
  • High school ID card (with name and photo)
  • State-issued driver's license card
  • Maryland state (MVA) ID card
  • Valid passport book or card
  • U.S. Uniformed Service ID card (USID/military ID)
  • U.S. DoD Common Access Card
  • Permanent Resident card (Form I-551/Green Card)
  • Employment Authorization Document (work permit: Form I-766/EAD)

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 it. 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.
  • Placement tests may only be taken twice. After the second attempt, students must wait at least two years before retaking the placement test.
  • Students who enroll in, or complete, math or English courses may not retake the placement test.
  • In special cases, an appropriate academic department chair or coordinator may contact the Testing Center to permit another placement test attempt.

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.

Closures and Reduced Hours (Spring 2026)

See Hours and Schedule for complete services, or review the Largo Testing Center Schedule (PDF). The Testing Center is closed on Sundays.

Closed All Day

  • Dec. 22, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026 (Winter Break)
  • Jan. 19 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday)
  • Jan. 24
  • Jan. 31
  • Feb. 7
  • Feb. 14-16 (Presidents Day)
  • Mar. 8-15 (Spring Break)
  • May 16
  • May 23-25 (Memorial Day)
  • May 30

Reduced Hours

  • Jan. 10 (9 a.m.–1 p.m.; placement only)
  • Jan. 17 (9 a.m.–1 p.m.; placement only)
  • Feb. 6 (11:30 a.m.–4 p.m.)
  • Apr. 2 (8:30 a.m.–Noon)
  • Apr. 3 (11:30 a.m.–4 p.m.)
  • Apr. 23 (8:30 a.m.–Noon)
  • May 21 (8:30 a.m.–Noon)

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 student ID.

Bring One Quarter for the Locker Room

Students are only allowed to have the following items at their desks: a PGCC student ID card, their test or worksheet, pens or pencils, a testing center locker key, and a calculator provided by the testing center (if permitted). Scratch paper is permitted for placement tests only. All other possessions brought into the center must be secured in a locker before the test starts. Lockers require a quarter, which is returned when the locker is reopened. Change is not available from the College staff.

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 these recordings, we invite you to take the test in person. Other restrictions are below.

  • International students, who need the ESL test, must take the test in person at a PGCC campus.
  • Workforce Development or Continuing Education students who need a placement test 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

Students must request access to the online placement test. The Testing Center may deny access to online placement tests for any reason, including (but not limited to) exceeding the limit on test attempts, network outages, violation of any Testing Center rule, or failure to meet the requirements for the online test. Some requirements for the online test are listed below.

  • 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 are not compatible with 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 placed on a firm, stable 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 result in the College rejecting 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 in-person at a College Testing Center.

  • You must complete the test in one sitting. Ensure you’re alone and remain at your computer without interruptions for the entire test.
  • Do not use phones, tablets, calculators, smartwatches, or any other devices while taking the test. We recommend turning them off and leaving them in another room 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 wear earphones or other Bluetooth devices while taking the test.
  • The only additional resources allowed are clean scratch paper, pens or pencils, and accessibility tools for students with disabilities.

Request access to online placement tests

Use the button below to start the online placement request form. The testing center will contact you via email within 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

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. and graduated with a diploma.
  • Must have a diploma obtained by passing the GED tests in the U.S.
    Students with a GED diploma should submit their official GED transcripts to PGCC.
  • 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 advisor, 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.

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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