Assessment & Placement

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In order to enroll in English, Reading, or Math courses at LBCC, students must have course placements on record in the Viking Student System. LBCC does not administer a formal assessment to determine course placements in English, Reading, and Math. Rather, LBCC uses information that is gathered at the time of application, or through a high school transcript, to create placements for a student. Specifically, LBCC creates placements in the following ways:

  1. Through self-reported high school information at the time of application using CCC Apply (students are asked to provide their high school cumulative GPA, the highest level of English and Math they took, and the grades they earned in each of those courses)
  2. For LBUSD partner school districts LBCC receives high school data directly from the school district and uses that information to generate a placement
  3. For students for whom high school transcript data is not available, or they graduated high school more than 10 years ago, the Guided Placement Tool will be used to establish placements in English, Reading, and Math.

Exemptions & Appeals

You may be exempt from completing the placement process at LBCC based on one of the following:

  • You have an Associate, Bachelor’s, or higher degree from a U.S. college.
  • You have taken English, Reading, and Math classes and passed with a C or better at another college.
  • You are actively deployed.
  • You are attending LBCC in order to advance in your current job/career, for personal enrichment, or for activity or performance classes, only.

If you would like to appeal their placement, you’re welcome to do so by completing the appeal form and submitting it to the appropriate department chair of the English, Reading, or Math department (depending on the placement being appealed). Appeal forms may be obtained at the Assessment Center on either campus.

You may request an exemption by submitting one of the following forms:
Form A and B Instructions
Assessment Exemption Waiver, Form A
Assessment Exemption Waiver, Form B

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I make an appointment with a counselor before having my placement results available?
No. LBCC recommends that you wait to have your placements results in your Viking Student System before you schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor. At your counseling appointment, your placement results will be used to inform the creation of your educational plan (the semester-by-semester guide you will follow to achieve your educational goal).

I was sent a card stating that I have been placed in ESL, but I speak English. What does this mean?
We would like you to be successful and even though you may be familiar with English, your test result indicates that you will benefit from English as a Second Language course. These are intended to improve your English skills and assist you in achieving your academic goals.

Does LBCC administer the Ability to Benefit (ATB) test?
No, unfortunately at this time LBCC does not administer the ATB test.

Does LBCC administer the GED Test?
No, unfortunately at this time LBCC does not offer any type of GED testing. 

Testing Accommodations for Disabled and ESL Students

DSPS Accommodations
If you have a disability that interferes with your ability to take the Assessment Test, you may be eligible for special testing accommodations. Testing assistance is offered through the Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSPS). To be eligible for special testing accommodations you must have a verified disability. Eligible students requesting testing accommodations must request services no less than three (3) working days prior to the desired test date. Special testing accommodations for the Assessment Test are only available at the Liberal Arts Campus (LAC). Please contact DSPS for more information on testing and other disability related services.

For more information, visit LBCC’s DSPS page.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Students 
If a student has limited English language skills, they are directed to take the LBCC ESL placement test. This test has 85 multiple choice questions which are divided into the following six components: Listening Comprehension, Vocabulary, Fluency, Mechanics and Usage, Reading for Information, and Writing. This test is administered at PCC only through the ESL Department. 

For more information, visit LBCC’s English as a Second Language page.