Testing and Assessment

Welcome to Testing and Assessment!

HCCC uses Multiple Measures Placement to place students into English, English as a Second Language (ESL), and Mathematics courses. Rather than relying on a single test score, multiple measures consider a variety of factors, such as high school coursework, grades, previous college experience, and other academic achievements. This approach helps ensure that you are placed in the courses where you are most likely to succeed.

Whether you are a new student, returning student, or transferring from another institution, we are here to guide you through the placement process and connect you with the resources you need.

In addition to placement services, we offer a variety of exams to support your academic and career goals, including CLEP testing for students seeking college credit through prior learning and ATI TEAS testing for applicants to nursing and allied health programs.

Exemption and Waiver Criterias

Directed Self-Placement

English as a Second Language (ESL) Placement

You may be eligible for a college placement exemption/waiver! HCCC uses multiple measures to place you directly into college-level courses without testing.

English Exemption

Overall High School GPA

Note: NJSTARS students are highly encouraged to review scholarship requirements.

Cumulative High School GPA 2.7+

Effective: 10/28/2025

You graduated within the past 5 years from a high school in the United States with a cumulative High School GPA of 2.7+ and meet the following criteria:

Complete a minimum of 3 years of College Prep English with C grades or better.
Submit final 11th grade transcript; transcript detailing 12th grade courses in progress is preferred.

Cumulative High School GPA 2.5-2.699

Effective: 10/28/2025

You graduated within the past 5 years from a high school in the United States with a cumulative High School GPA of 2.7+ and meet the following criteria:

Complete a minimum of 3 years of College Prep English with B grades or better.
Submit final 11th grade transcript; transcript detailing 12th grade courses in progress is preferred.

SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing

You took the SAT exam within the past 5 years and scored a 450 or higher on the Evidence-based Reading and Writing section.

ACT English/Reading

You took the ACT exam within the past 5 years and scored a 21 or higher on the English/Reading section.

Advanced Placement (AP)

You took the AP exam within the past 5 years and scored a 3 or higher on the English Language and Composition Exam.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT

Overall: 86 (full exit)
Reading: 22
Listening: 20
Speaking: 23
Writing: 21
Or new scale score of 4.5 for all subtests.

Exemption from ESL Reading and Academic Discussion:
Scenario A. Reading: 22 (4.5) AND Speaking 23 4.5) OR
Scenario B. Reading: 22 (4.5) AND Listening 20 (4.5)

Exemption from ESL Grammar and Writing:
Writing: 21 (4.5)

New TOEFL scale score: To ease transition, the 2026-2027 TOEFL score reports will feature old and new scale scores. In 2028, TOEFL scores will only appear in the 1-6 scale.

Click here for more information on TOEFL.

International Language Testing System (IELTS)

Overall: 6.0 (full exit)
Reading: 6
Writing: 6
Speaking: 6
Listening: 6

Exemption from ESL Reading and Academic Discussion:
Scenario A. Reading: 6 AND Speaking 6 OR
Scenario B. Reading: 6 AND Listening 6

Exemption from ESL Grammar and Writing:
Writing: 6

Click here for more information on IELTS.

Duolingo English Test (DET)

Overall: 110 (full exit)
Reading: 110
Writing: 110
Speaking: 110
Listening: 110

Exemption from ESL Reading and Academic Discussion:
Scenario A. Reading: 110 AND Speaking: 110 OR
Scenario B. Reading: 110 AND Listening: 110

Exemption from ESL Grammar and Writing:
Writing: 110

Click here for more information on Duolingo (DET).

GED (HS Equivalency Test)

You took the GED exam within the past 5 years and scored a 165 or higher on the Language Arts Exam.

HiSET (HS Equivalency Test)

You took the HiSET exam within the past 5 years.

Reading: 15
Writing: 15
Essay: 4

Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC)

You took the TASC exam within the past 5 years.

Reading: 580
Writing: 560
Essay: 6

Math Exemption

Overall High School GPA

Note: NJSTARS students are highly encouraged to review scholarship requirements.

Cumulative High School GPA 2.7+

Effective: 10/28/2025

You graduated within the past 5 years from a high school in the United States with a cumulative High School GPA of 2.7+ and meet the following criteria:

Complete a minimum of 3 years of College Prep Math with C grades or better.
Submit final 11th grade transcript; transcript detailing 12th grade courses in progress is preferred.

Cumulative High School GPA 2.5-2.69

Effective: 10/28/2025

You graduated within the past 5 years from a high school in the United States with a cumulative High School GPA of 2.7+ and meet the following criteria

Complete a minimum of 3 years of College Prep Math with B grades or better.
Submit final 11th grade transcript; transcript detailing 12th grade courses in progress is preferred.

SAT Math

You took the SAT exam within the past 5 years and scored a 500 or higher on the math section.

ACT Math

You took the ACT exam within the past 5 years and scored a 21 or higher on the math section.

GED (HS Equivalency Test) Mathematical Reasoning

You took the GED exam within the past 5 years and scored a 165 or higher in Mathematical Reasoning.

HiSET (HS Equivalency Test)

You took the HiSET exam within the past 5 years and scored a 15 or higher on the math section.

Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC)

You took the TASC exam within the past 5 years and scored a 560 or higher on the math section.

Document Submission Steps

If you meet any of the criteria above, please send documentation to admissionsFREEHUDSONCOUNTYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE.

Transfer students who completed English composition or math courses with a minimum C grade at another college/university can send their transcript(s) to transferevaluationsFREEHUDSONCOUNTYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE.

Directed Self-Placement

Before completing the Directed Self-Placement survey for English and Math course placement, students should first review whether they meet HCCC's exemption criteria.

For Early College applicants: please visit Early College.

The Directed Self-Placement survey will provide you with the opportunity to reflect on your current reading, writing, and math skills to help us place you in the courses that best meet your needs.

For more information, please send an email to the Testing Center: testingFREEHUDSONCOUNTYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE

In-Person ESL Placement

For in-person testing, schedule an appointment at:
https://calendly.com/hudsoncpt

If you require assistance or accommodations to complete the Directed Self-Placement survey, please contact the Office of Accessibility Services by calling (201) 360-4157 or send an email to ASFREEHUDSONCOUNTYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE.

Remote ESL Placement

For remote testing, email us at testingFREEHUDSONCOUNTYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE after you have verified that your computer meets the following requirements:

Accuplacer System Requirements:
https://www.accuplacer.org/#/systemRequirement

Meazure Learning ProctorU System Requirements:
https://support.proctoru.com/hc/en-us/articles/24692181239309-Equipment-Requirements

Math Placement for ESL Students

ESL Students who are eligible to take a Math course will complete Math placement using the Directed Self-Placement survey.

Math Study Resources:
Hudson County Community College | EdReady™ Application home, powered by NROC

ESL Accuplacer Sample Questions

The ESL Placement test is comprised of 5 sections: