Placement Assessments

Why is Placement important?
Placement gives recommendations for courses in math, English and English as a second language (ESL). This will determine where you start in the sequence of courses and how long it will take to complete them to get your degree or transfer. A new law in California (AB 705) has made transfer level math and English courses accessible in your first year. For more information on AB 705 please visit here.

 

Who is Placement for?

• Students who designate their educational goals to include transfer, obtain an associate degree, or earn a certificate of achievement.
• Students who register for any English course or for a mathematics course or for any course which has English or math as a prerequisite.

Who may be exempt from Placement?

• Students who have earned an Associate Degree or higher at an accredited college or university. Must provide copy of diploma or unofficial transcript.
• If a student is enrolling in a course for educational/personal enrichment course that does not require English or Math as a prerequisite, co-requisite or advisory (recommended preparation).

How do I complete the Placement questionnaire?
All English and math placement will be done through Self-Service via a questionnaire. In order to complete this step you will need knowledge of your High School GPA, highest completed High School math course, and intended major of study. ESL students will be also required to fill out the questionnaire, if an appointment is needed you will be referred to do so on your results page. 

• Log into Self-Service
• Click on "Orientation, Placement and Advising"
• Click on "Onboarding Checklist"
• Within the "To Do" list, select "Grossmont Placement Questionnaire and Abbreviated Educational Plan."
• Click on "Complete Module Here" to access the Grossmont Placement Questionnaire
• Answer the provided questions within the Grossmont Placement Questionnaire to receive your recommended placement level and to receive your Abbreviated Educational Plan

The questionnaire will help you determine your English, Math or ESL placement.

 

How do I receive ESL Placement?
If you place into ESL, you will be automatically directed to complete the ESL guided self-placement. It is your right to take transfer-level English classes or ESL classes if English is not your first or native language.

 

How to answer the GPA question:

You will find it easier to answer this question if you have a copy of your high school transcripts. If you do not have access to a copy of your high school transcripts that is okay, this answer does not have to be specific. Knowing the range for your GPA is all that is needed to answer this question.

Did you attend high school in a different country?

Email the Assessment Center at grossmont.assessment@gcccd.edu for help converting  your GPA into the range needed for this questions. 

How to answer the highest completed Math course question:

Highest completed math course is one that you have received a C or higher in. Courses that you received a non passing grade should not be included. This may not be your last attempted math course.

 

Don't see your course on the list? Email the Assessment Center at grossmont.assessment@gcccd.edu for help.

 

How to answer prospective major question:

Math courses are determined by major groupings. It helps determine which level of math is required to meet the requirements in that field. 

 

If you do not see your exact major, that is okay, you can select an area related to that major. For example, if you are wanting to major in management you would want to select Business. The major groupings are broken down like this:

• Business
  (includes Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Economics)
• Engineering/Math/Computer Science/Science
  (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Pre-Med, )
• Teaching
  (Elementary Education)
• Social Science/Allied Health
  (Nursing, Social Work, Administration of Justice, Psychology, Sociology)
• Arts & Humanities
  (History, English, Literature, Languages, Philosophy, Communication, etc)
• I am thinking of something else

 

If you are undecided, changed your major or accidentally picked the wrong one, no worries! Talk with a Counselor to help choose the right course for your goals. 

    

Don't think you were placed into the right class?

If you would like to challenge your placement level after you have completed the placement questionnaire, please contact the Department Chair of either Math, English or ESL. You may also email the Assessment Center at grossmont.assessment@gcccd.edu for more information.