Course Placement

Students come to Richland with a wide variety of education, achievement, experience, and training. To help determine the student’s level of learning for best placement in appropriate courses and to maintain academic standards, Success Coaches and students will review the student’s academic transcripts and other records and identify appropriate placement using one or more of the following:

Sufficient ACT or SAT scores as established by appropriate College personnel. The student must submit proper documentation to the Student Success Center. The ACT or SAT scores must be no more than three years old.
A high school cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher for placement in English or courses with a prerequisite of eligibility for ENGL 101.
A high school cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher with successful completion of a fourth year of mathematics.
An appropriate high school transition course in mathematics with a grade of C or higher.
A GED score of 165 or compatible score on other high school equivalency tests.
Successful completion of English and/or mathematics course(s) at an accredited college or university, as recognized by the Higher Education Directory. The level of the course(s) successfully completed determines the level of course(s) for which a student may be eligible.
Completion of appropriate developmental course(s) in mathematics, English, and/or reading at another accredited college or university
Results of mathematics, reading, or sentence skills placement tests administered at Richland. Placement exams, cut-off scores, and other criteria have been established by the respective programs’ faculty to ensure proper course placement. Scores are valid for the length of time determined administratively.
Results of a placement exam identical to Richland Community College's exam taken at another college or university within the determined time, with the student presenting officially validated scores for evaluation prior to registration.

Course Placement Testing

Students may need to complete placement testing in mathematics, English, and reading before registering for credit courses. Placement testing may be completed in the Testing Center, Room N114, or at the Clinton Higher Education Center. These test results, which are valid for the length of time determined administratively, are used to determine a student’s eligibility for courses with prerequisites and/or placement in developmental courses (courses numbered through 099). These placement exams, cut-off scores, and other criteria have been established by the respective programs’ faculty to ensure proper course placement. Individual programs may offer a proficiency exam to alter the sequence of courses required.

Classroom instructors may conduct additional testing to verify correct placement, and students may be transferred to an alternate course at that time.

Some of these tests are administered on a computer, and some are untimed. Photo identification is required for all testing. Review materials for the mathematics and English sentence skills tests are on the Academic Success Center – Testing Center page. Other review options are available in the Academic Success Center (Tutoring), Room C148. Retesting for some placement tests for a fee is possible if a student meets certain guidelines.

If a student requires accommodations for a placement test, prior to taking the test the student must visit the Academic Success Center – Accommodations page to learn about how to apply. The student may also contact the Academic Success Center by calling the Academic Success Center at 217.875.7211, Ext. 6379, emailing accom@richland.edu, or visiting Room C148.

English

Some courses require English prerequisites for enrollment. In some cases, students will be required to take a placement test. Students may also use ACT or SAT test scores. Placement test scores are valid for 2 years. ACT and SAT scores are valid for 3 years.

Students unsure about their placement into reading/writing courses should work with their Success Coach in the Student Success Center or the Dean of Liberal Arts, Room C162.

Mathematics

Some mathematics and science courses require prerequisites for enrollment. In some cases, students will be required to take a placement test. Students may also use ACT and SAT scores in mathematics to place in certain courses. Placement test scores are valid for 2 years; ACT and SAT scores are valid for 3 years.

Students seeking clarification regarding their math placement should meet with their Success Coach in the Student Success Center or the Dean of Mathematics, Science, and Business, Room S119.

Retesting

A student may retest by waiting a minimum of 24 hours and paying a retest fee. Ten to thirty hours of study is recommended before retesting. A student may be allowed to take the test a third time only with the appropriate permission and payment of the retest fee. Students may not retest once they start the course sequence. For placement testing information, contact the Testing Specialist, Room C146, or the Testing Center in Room N114. Please visit the Testing Center website for resources to prepare for the placement test.

The student is required to retest at no charge if 1) the previously determined time has passed since the student tested the first time and 2) the student has not begun a sequence of courses that uses the placement test results.

Foreign Language Course Placement

Students who have not studied a specific foreign language are to begin their college study with the course numbered 101. Students whose most recent prior study of the language occurred more than five years ago should also start their college study with the course numbered 101.

Students who have studied a specific foreign language in high school within the past five years are to begin their study at Richland with the course number determined by the earned quality points. Quality points are computed on the basis of full years of high school study and are assigned on the basis of the grade earned for each semester divided by two. (A = 4.00, B+ = 3.50, B = 3.00, C+ = 2.50, C = 2.00, D+ = 1.50, D = 1.00, F = 0)

Example: A student who studied a foreign language for one year and received an “A” for both semesters would have earned four quality points, (i.e., 4.00 + 4.00 = 8.00 divided by 2 = 4.00). Another student who completed one year with a “B” for one semester and an “A” for one semester would have earned three and one-half quality points (i.e., 4.00 + 3.00 = 7.00 divided by 2 = 3.50).

Earned Quality Points	Start with Course Number
0 to 4	101
5 to 11	102
12 to 14	201
15 or more	202

Any person who wishes to register for a specific foreign language with course placement different from that shown above should consult with the Dean of Liberal Arts, Room C162, regarding appropriate placement.