WCC Tab
  • About
  • Prospective Students
  • Current Students
  • Alumni
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Workforce
 
Prospective StudentsProspective Students

Placement Procedures

English (writing & reading) and math placement are determined by scores achieved when taking the Virginia Placement Test (VPT) that are administered by the college. The purpose of these tests is to assure that students are academically prepared for college-level work regardless of prior grades, work experience, or academic history. Students who do not meet the college's standards in English and math will be required to enroll in Developmental Studies course(s) to improve their skills in these areas. Contact the Student Services Office at (276)223-4758 for more details on WCC's placement procedure.

Placement Testing and Retest Policy

Like other institutions of higher learning, Wytheville Community College requires students to take English and mathematics placement tests. Students who submit official satisfactory ACT or SAT scores taken in the last three years will be exempt from the placement test requirement. Satisfactory scores are:

English: SAT verbal 500 and SAT writing 500 or ACT verbal 21 and ACT English 21
Math: SAT math 520 or ACT math 22

Official scores should be submitted to the Admissions and Records Office. An official report can be requested at http://www.collegeboard.com.

How to prepare for the Tests

VPT MathSite--resources to help you prepare for the math placement test.

VPT English--resources to help you prepare for the English placement test.

Math and English Practice Test--directions on how to take an online practice test.


NOTE:

Students applying for admission to the nursing program need to take the TEAS test: click here.

Students applying to bridge from LPN to RN need to take the LPN STEP test: click here.

Students applying for admission to the Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Technology, or Physical Therapist Assistant Program need to take the HOBET test: click here.

When to Schedule Testing

It is recommended that students take the placement tests prior to the enrollment period and not wait until enrollment days. For example, if a student plans to enroll during fall semester, testing should occur during the summer prior to fall registration. All students must complete the WCC Application for Admission before taking placement tests. Students can take placement tests at the Academic Resource Center in Bland Hall on the main campus, at Crossroads in Galax, or at the Smyth Education Center in Atkins.

Placement Scores from Other Institutions

Students may submit placement scores from other institutions provided the placement test is the same as that used at WCC and testing was completed within the last three years. WCC will use the placement scores submitted, but will apply the WCC cutoff scores. Placement scores submitted from other institutions must be on file at WCC before a student may register for an English, mathematics, or biology class. If a student has two placement scores on record in the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and both tests were taken within the past three years, WCC will accept and use the higher score. Developmental coursework completed outside the VCCS is not transfer eligible and that current placement data help design academic plans that offer a higher likelihood of success.

Retest Policy

The academic divisions will adhere to a strict retest policy requiring students to appeal to the counselors and/or faculty in the respective disciplines for retest.

The professional faculty will consider a retest only if a student meets one of the following criteria:

College Credit Through Advanced Standing

Wytheville Community College recognizes that learning takes place in a variety of ways, including work experiences, extensive reading, hobbies or vocational endeavors and other similar activities. The basic premise of the advanced standing process is that program-placed students shall be given the opportunity to earn appropriate college credit when their previous studies, training or life and work experiences have already provided the knowledge, competencies or skills associated with a course. The College’s commitment to this philosophy of advanced standing is coupled with its mandate to ensure standards of academic quality comparable to traditional instruction. Procedures to apply for credit through advanced standing can be obtained from the WCC Admissions and Records Office.

The WCC Admissions and Records Office (Room 214 Bland Hall) will provide a student with a copy of the “College Credit Through Advanced Standing” booklet upon request or you may find the information here.

Definition of Advanced Standing

Advanced standing is the award of academic credit for subject matter competency that has been gained by previous academic study or occupational experience. This may include, but is not limited to, college credit and advancement based upon individual participation in the Advanced Placement (AP) program of the College Entrance Examination Board; other placement examinations; articulation agreements with other institutions; transfer credit from other regionally accredited institutions of higher learning; training provided by non-collegiate institutions, such as armed forces and service schools; professional certification or experiential learning.

Criteria Governing Advanced Standing

The following criteria apply to all forms of advanced standing:

The College reserves the right to place a time limit on prior learning experiences. The College reserves the right to place a time limit for accepting credit for technical courses taken previously at other institutions. The Vice President of Instruction and Student Development, in consultation with the appropriate program faculty, will determine if courses taken more than five years ago can be used in the student’s current program of study.

Students are responsible for providing the College with appropriate official documentation of prior learning. In the case of foreign transcripts, the student must assume the responsibility of having transcripts evaluated by an approved evaluation agency. Students are encouraged to have their foreign transcripts evaluated course-by-course rather than by degree. A listing of agencies that are approved to evaluate foreign transcripts can be obtained from the WCC Admissions and Records Office.

The official transcript shall specify the type of advanced standing, equivalent courses, and the number of credits awarded. Advanced standing credit shall be distinct from earned course credit.

No grades, grade point average, or other indication of academic standing shall be associated with advanced standing entries on the official transcript.

Credit awarded through advanced standing is applicable only to WCC’s curricular requirements. Students are cautioned that credits awarded through AP examinations, CLEP examinations, credit-by-examination, credit-by- portfolio, or other means of advanced standing may not be accepted in transfer by other post-secondary institutions.

 

President's Message Our Mission Our Vision & Values Accreditation & Recognitions Code of Ethics WCC Board Programs of Study Admissions Academic Calendars Paying for College Financial Aid Education Centers Educational Foundation WCC Library Daily Bulletin Inclement Weather
  Delayed Schedule
Visiting WCC Jobs at WCC Sex Offender Notification History of WCC Organizational Documents Complaints Achieve 2015
  Goals and Progress
Applying for Admission Admission Requirements Programs of Study Transfer to Other Institutions WCC College Catalog
  & Student Handbook
Gainful Employment Disclosure
  Information
Placement Procedures Classification of Students Returning Students Students with Disabilities Tuition & Fees Military & Veterans' Benefits Payment Options Financial Aid Scholarships & Grants Books & Materials WCC Athletics Refund Policy VCCS Code of Conduct Sex Offender Notification Frequently Asked Questions
Registration Info & Resources Student Services Students with Disabilities Financial Aid Current Class Schedule Current Exam Schedule Scholarships & Grants Dean's List & President's Honor Roll Student Activities College Credit Through
  Advanced Standing
WCC Athletics Clubs & Organizations WCC Library Military & Veterans' Benefits Tutoring Labs Distance Learning Inclement Weather
  Delayed Schedule
Sex Offender Notification IT Help Desk VCCS Code of Conduct WCC Bookstore WCC College Catalog
  & Student Handbook
Access the SIS Faculty/Staff Directory WCC Faculty Handbook Department Phone Listing College Standing Committees Human Resources Employee Recognition & Awards WCC Employee Handbook Usage of Facilities Usage of Equipment
  & Resources
Forms WCC 2012-13 Holiday Schedule WCC Library Distance Learning Resources IT Help Desk
Alumni Association Alumni Events Distinguished Alumni Support WCC
EMPLOYER SERVICES:
Customized Training CRC Testing Ed2Go Manufacturing Technology Center INDIVIDUALS:
Career Development Personal Development CRC Testing OTHER INFORMATION:
Current Schedule Training Locations Community Services Contact Us
Application for Admission Admission Requirements Placement Procedures Curricular or
  Non-Curricular?
Returning Students
Tuition & Fees Payment Options Financial Aid Scholarships & Grants Books & Materials Refund Policy
Overview of Scholarships Available Scholarships Wythe-Bland
  Foundation Scholarship
Forging Futures
  Scholarship Program
Scholarship Process Scholarship Application Scholarship Checklist
About Registration How to Register for a Class Adding, Dropping & Withdrawing Academic Calendars Grade Reports Graduation Requirements
About Student Services Graduation Application (PDF) Counseling & Advising Career Development Services TRIO Programs Students with Disabilities Military & Veterans' Benefits
Contact Human Resources Employment Opportunities Employment Information VCCS Salary Structure Benefits Evaluation of Personnel Resignations Reductions in Staff/Layoff Retirement WCC 2011-12 Holiday Schedule
Categories of Employment Appointments & Offers of   Employment Recruitment & Hiring   Procedures New Employee Orientation
Sickness & Disability Program Leave Policies Health Insurance Flexible Reimbursement Other Insurance & Programs