Placement testing is a tool used by Kellogg Community College to determine your current skill levels in reading, English, and math. The goal is to help place you in the courses that best match your abilities—so you start where you’re most likely to succeed.

You may not always need to take a placement test. KCC uses several methods to assess placement, including:

• High school transcripts

• ACT, SAT, or PSAT scores from the past 5 years

• Official college or university transcripts

• Self-assessments After completing your self-assessment(s), schedule a meeting with an Academic Advisor to review your results and map out your next steps. Be sure to print your results and bring them to your appointment.

  • Reading Self-Assessment
  • Math Self-Assessment (for STEM students)
  • Math Self-Assessment (for non-STEM students)
  • English Self-Assessment

• Placement testing, either in-person or online

If your scores or transcripts show you’re ready for college-level coursework, you may be able to skip testing altogether—or reduce the number of tests you need to take.

For additional help with placement and course options, contact Academic Advising at 269-965-4124 or [email protected].

Great question—preparing ahead of time can make a big difference! 

You have a few excellent (and free!) options: 

• Meet with a professional tutor in the Center for Student Success, located just above the Testing Center in Ohm 207 on KCC’s main campus. Our tutors can help you brush up on math, reading, and writing skills at your own pace. 

• Access online prep tools through ACCUPLACER’s official site. These are designed to help you get comfortable with the format and content of the test. 

Click here for NEXT GENERATION ACCUPLACER preparation resources 

Whether you’re brushing up or diving deep, we’re here to help you feel confident and prepared! 

If you need accommodations for your test, we’re here to support you—but there’s a process to follow to ensure everything is in place.

Here’s what to do:

• Contact the Center for Student Success at 269-965-4150

• Or schedule an appointment with Disability Services through Starfish

All accommodations must be approved in advance through Disability Services. Please note:

• We are unable to provide accommodations without official documentation

• Once approved, we’ll work with you to schedule your test in a way that meets your needs

If you’re unsure where to start, just reach out—we’ll walk you through it!

No, tests are not timed. However, students generally spend 30 to 45 minutes on each; expect to spend about three hours for all three sections (reading, writing, and math).  

Great question—and you’re already off to a strong start just by asking! 

Here’s what you’ll need: 

• A physical, government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport, military ID, or your KCC student ID. This is required to test. 

• A clear mind and some confidence. You’ve got this! 

Everything else—scratch paper, pencils, calculators (if permitted)—will be provided by the Testing Center. 

Please note: 

• Cell phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices are not allowed in the testing lab. 

• Lockers are available to store your personal items during the test.

Yes, you can! Students are eligible to re-test after waiting a full 24 hours from the time they complete their original test. 

A few important details: 

• The retest fee is $5 per test section, due before your re-test begins. 

• You can pay in advance by calling the Registrar’s Office at 269-965-5522 with a credit or debit card. 

• Prefer to pay in person? No problem—you can also pay when you arrive for your re-test. 

Only individuals actively taking a test are allowed in the Testing Center lab. Unfortunately, guests—including parents, children, or friends—are not permitted in the testing lab.  

The Testing Center does not offer childcare or a waiting area for guests. In accordance with college policy, children may not be left unattended in any campus building. We recommend making alternate care arrangements prior to your testing appointment to ensure a smooth and distraction-free experience. 

Yes, you can! Remote placement testing is a convenient option that allows you to test from home with a live online proctor. 

Here’s what you’ll need: 

• A computer (not a cell phone) with a webcam and audio capabilities 

• A quiet, distraction-free testing environment 

• A $28 proctoring fee (plus tax), paid online when you schedule your appointment through our third-party partner 

To request remote testing, email [email protected] with the following information: 

• Your full name 

• Your K-ID number 

• The test sections you need (Reading, Writing, Math, Full Assessment, ESL, etc.) 

Once we receive your request, we’ll email your testing voucher and instructions for scheduling your session through Examity—all sent straight to your KCC student email. 

Once you finish your placement test, we’ll verify that your scores have been successfully uploaded to your KCC student record. 

After that, your next step is to meet with your academic advisor. They’ll help you review your scores and select the right courses to match your skill level and academic goals. 

You can view your placement test scores anytime by visiting the ACCUPLACER Student Portal through The College Board. 

For placement information, please refer to our Testing Placement Chart. 

Academic integrity is taken very seriously at Kellogg Community College and the Testing Center. 

All testing sessions are closely monitored—both in person and via surveillance—for any irregular behavior. If a student is found to be cheating or violating testing rules: 

• The test will be immediately stopped 

• The student will be dismissed from the Testing Center 

• A detailed incident report will be submitted to the appropriate college office for follow-up 

Maintaining a fair and honest testing environment is essential for everyone’s success. If you have any questions about what’s allowed during testing, we’re happy to clarify! 

Students who complete the Advanced Placement (AP) examination with a score of 3 or higher in the following subject areas will receive Kellogg Community College credit on their academic transcripts.

View the sections below for information about CLEP and DSST testing at Kellogg Community College

CLEP Testing

KCC grants credit for college-level equivalency examination programs such as CLEP and DANTES. The requirements for awarding credit are determined by the American Council on Education (ACE). To receive credit for CLEP or DANTES tests, have your official test scores sent to the Registrar’s Office at Kellogg Community College.

To take a CLEP test, click this link to register with CLEP’s official site: https://clep.collegeboard.org

CLEP Exam Equivalencies are below.

Business

Composition & Literature

Science & Math

Social Sciences & History

DSST Testing

DSST is a nationally recognized credit-by-examination program accepted by Kellogg Community College. To receive credit for DSST, have your official test scores sent to the Registrar’s Office at Kellogg Community College’s Registrar’s Office.

DSST Exam Equivalencies are below.

Applied Technology

Business

Humanities

Mathematics

Physical Science

Social Science

N/A* = No Kellogg Community College course credit equivalency

Students who wish to earn credit for qualified courses may request to earn credit by examination. Credit by examination is available only for qualified courses. To request credit by examination, the student must contact the academic chair or director responsible for the course. If credit by examination is available, the student may then request and schedule the exam through the academic chair or director.

Please note:

• To qualify to earn credit by exam, the student may not have had a prior attempt at taking the course(s) for credit within the last five years.
• If students wish to earn credit by exam for a course in which they are currently registered, they must make the request before the add/drop deadline for the course.
• There is a nonrefundable $50 fee per course to attempt credit by exam. Only one attempt per course is permitted.

Students who are seeking to transfer credits from KCC to another institution should communicate directly with their transfer institution to determine the transferability of credits earned by exam, as transfer institutions may not honor credit by exam.

Students may receive credit by examination by following this process:

1. Contact the chair or director of the department or coordinator of the program offering the course to schedule an appointment for an evaluation.
2. Complete a Request for Credit by Examination form.
3. Pay a $50 fee to the Registrar’s Office or regional center office.
4. Present the receipt to the instructor administering the exam and complete the exam.
5. If a grade of A, B or C is earned, course and grade information will be added to your academic record.
6. Grades of D and F are not satisfactory for credit by examination. If such grades are earned, no course entry will be made on your academic record.
7. To have credit by examination credits recorded on your KCC transcript, you must have completed coursework at KCC. Courses for which you receive a grade of W, I, N or Audit are not considered completed.