Placement

Academic Placement Philosophy / Community colleges enroll a highly diverse population of students who bring a broad range of skill levels to their studies. This variety in student skill levels dictates a need for appropriate entry-level evaluation, educational counseling and course placement in order to increase the probability of student success. A comprehensive entry-level evaluation and placement program is one component in a total program to provide educational opportunities for the ultimate achievement of both student and institutional goals.
   Entry-level evaluation and placement is a systematic process intended to identify student skills and needs. Data garnered through evaluation enables college staff to assist students in appropriate decision-making, determine which educational interventions are most likely to ensure student success and assist policy makers in decision-making.

Placement Tests / OCC placement tests are administered to all new students who plan to enroll in credit classes, except those exempted (see below). These tests measure students’ skills in English or ESL (English as a Second Language) and mathematics. Counselors will use these results along with other information to help students make their educational plans. Those students for whom English is the native language take COMPASS (COMputer-adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System). Those students for whom English is not the native language take MTELP (Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency). Placement tests in English or ESL and math are given regularly during the months before registration. The placement results will help students and their OCC counselor select appropriate English or ESL and math courses.
   Students may be exempt from these placement tests under certain conditions. Please refer to the following information for applicability. Those who qualify for exemption under any of these conditions, must submit copies of the appropriate documentation with their application to the campus Enrollment Services Department.
   Disabled or disadvantaged students should consult the campus Accessibility Compliance Center & Education Support Services (ACCESS) office for assistance with the scheduling and administration of placement tests.

Placement in English (COMPASS)
   All new students whose native language is English must take COMPASS. Students may be exempt from taking the COMPASS English test if they meet any ONE of the following conditions:

• Have documentation of an Advanced English Placement score of 3 or higher
• Have documentation of a CLEP score in Composition that is the equivalent of ENG 1510
• Have scored one of the following on the ACT exam with combined English and Reading sub-scores of:
  
  • 38 or higher with minimum of 18 on each test
  • 29-37 with minimum of 11 on each test
  • 22-28 with minimum of 11 on each test
• Have documentation of an SAT Critical Reading / Verbal score of 450 or higher
• Have a transcript showing achievement of a grade of “C” or higher in an equivalent college-level composition course
• Have evidence of an English COMPASS score (combined Writing Skills and Reading) within the previous two years
• Have been admitted to OCC as a college guest student with a college Guest Application (Note: guest applications must be renewed each semester of enrollment; also note High School Guests are not exempt).
• Have earned an associate degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university
• Have earned a bachelor’s degree from a non-U.S. academic institution with the equivalent to freshman Composition ENG-1510

   Students may retake the COMPASS placement test one time by scheduling a “retake” at the appropriate campus ASC. One additional retake may be authorized by a counselor or the English COMPASS Coordinator. Placement will be determined by the student’s best score. Students may appeal their final best English placement.

Placement in ESL (MTELP)
   All new students for whom English is a second language must take MTELP or submit ACT scores.
   Students may be exempt from this testing if they meet any one of the following conditions:

• Have documentation of ACT scores showing 22 or higher on the English subtest
• Have documentation of an SAT Critical Reading/Verbal score of 450 or higher
• Have evidence of completing a course equivalent to ENG 1510
• Have evidence of completing an associate degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university
• Have been admitted to OCC under a College Guest Application from another college where they are enrolled in college-level courses (Note: guest applications must be renewed each semester of enrollment). Any student who wishes to enroll in any ESL course must take the MTELP Placement test.
• Have an exemption from taking MTELP and the ability to enroll in English 1510 because they have an official TOEFL score of: Internet-based – total score of 79 or higher with a writing score of 24 or higher; Computer-based – total score of 213 or higher with a writing score of 5.0 or higher; Paper-based – total score of 550 or higher with a writing (TWE) score of 5.0 or higher. Both official scores must be presented to the appropriate college personnel for the students to be exempt.

   A student can re-test on the MTELP if it has been one calendar year since the last MTELP and no OCC ESL courses have been taken, or if one calendar year has passed since the end of the semester in which the student was enrolled in an OCC ESL course. No currently enrolled students in OCC ESL courses can re-test. There is an assessment test in each ESL class the first day of instruction which serves as the appeal process. If a student scores between 15 and 24 on the MTELP, a counselor can authorize this student to take a writing sample for possible placement into the first level ESL credit classes.

Placement in Math (COMPASS)
   In order to register for a math course, students must be placed into the appropriate level. The COMPASS Math Placement will identify for students the appropriate entry-level math course. Students may take math classes at or below the course level indicated by their score. They may take this initial placement test when they apply for admission or at a later date by contacting any OCC campus Academic Support Center (ASC). Unless specifically exempted, all students including those who plan to take MAT 2530 (Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I), must complete math placement testing before registering in a math class.
   Students who disagree with their initial math placement may repeat the COMPASS Math Placement test a total of two times within two years. Those students who still disagree with their results after taking a COMPASS Math Placement test a second time should contact an OCC counselor. Students who are still not satisfied may appeal their math placement. The appeal process can be accessed through the OCC website at www.oaklandcc.edu/mathematics.
   Students are exempt from the COMPASS Math Placement if they meet any one of the following conditions:

• Have documentation of ACT math scores showing 12 or higher within the past two years
• Have earned a bachelors degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university
• Have been admitted to OCC under a College Guest Application from another college or university
• Have evidence of passing with a “C” or better the prerequisite math course at OCC or the equivalent college transfer course at another accredited college within the past three years
• Have earned credit for a math course at OCC or at another accredited college and wish to enroll in the same math course
• Have earned a score of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement Exam in Calculus AB or BC
• Have documentation of a COMPASS Math Placement score taken elsewhere within the past two years.

   Practice math placement problems with answers are available online at www.oaklandcc.edu/mathematics or at each campus in the ASC. Students are recommended to “brush-up” on their math before taking the COMPASS math placement test.
   For additional math placement information, see the current Schedule of Classes or speak with a counselor.

Scheduling Placement Tests / Applicants should call any home campus Academic Support Center (ASC) to schedule an appointment and for further information. Information is also available on the campus ASC website at www.oaklandcc.edu/ASC. An Application for Admission must be submitted prior to scheduling any placement test. Applicants should plan to arrive 10 minutes prior to the start of the session and be prepared to present a valid picture ID.

AP (Advanced Placement) and CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) / Oakland Community College participates in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board and grants credit with scores of three or higher. Credit will also be granted for the CLEP General Examinations and Subject Exams when scores are at or above the fiftieth percentile.

Transfer Equivalency / When the knowledge and content between an OCC course and another institution’s course are shown to be equal, and the two courses are within one credit hour of each other, OCC may declare the courses as equivalent. That means, if students have taken the course at the other institution, they are deemed to have equivalent knowledge as that gained from taking the OCC course although the credit value may differ slightly due to a difference in calendar systems. As a result, the course from the other institution will satisfy any prerequisite, corequisite, program, admission, graduation or certification requirement in the same manner as would the OCC course. Therefore, requiring the retaking of a course simply because there is a difference in credit is inconsistent with college policy on duplicate course credit. When the course experience is part of the General Education Requirements, the college Registrar shall make the final decision. In fact, the college Registrar shall serve as the arbiter in any equivalency dispute.

Tech Prep / Tech Prep Advance Placement Agreements exist between Oakland Community College and a number of area high school districts. High school students seeking further information should contact their high school counselor or call the counseling department at any OCC campus and make an appointment with the Tech Prep counselor at that campus.