All new students who are non-native speakers of English must take the ESL placement test unless

• they have transferable English 1101 transfer credit and are not CPC deficient in English, or
• they have an SAT I Verbal score of 480 or above, or
• they have an ACT English score of 20 or above, or
• they have a TOEFL score of 550 paper or 79 iBT or above.

 All entering students without transferable math credit (Math 1101 or higher) and SAT Math scores below 440 are required to take the math portion of the Computer Adaptive Assessment and Support System (COMPASS). 

Students should call the testing center at the location where they wish to test to sign up for the tests: Clarkston Testing Center 678-891-3700 or Dunwoody Testing Center 770-274-5440.

These placement tests are very important as they will determine at which level students begin classes.

The ESL placement test consists of a computerized listening comprehension, reading comprehension, and grammar exam.  In addition, there is a required writing sample.  Students must complete all four parts of the exam to register for classes.  Because the writing sample is not machine scored, it usually takes at least 2 business days to get the results back.  Students are encouraged to take the ESL placement test as early as possible before the term begins.

Retest Policy

After taking the initial ESL Placement test, all students can retest on the computer portion of the test in accordance with the following criteria:

1. All students have the right to retest ONCE on the computer portion of the ESL Compass test.

2. Students may NOT retest on any portion of the ESL Placement test once they have attended any ESL class at the college.

3. The essay portion of the test cannot be retaken (ESL Writing).

4. There is no mandatory waiting period between the retests.

5. Applicants who are choose to retest must retest on all computer portions of the ESL Compass test.

6. Placement will be determined by the combination of the best scores between the placement test and placement retest.

7. ESL Compass retesting is NOT allowed once classes begin and during the first two week of the semester.

8. The fee for retesting is $20.

Placement Grids

Students are placed into the ESL courses based on the following scores: