General Testing Information

Applications for admission to the Community College of Philadelphia are available at the Main Campus’ Welcome Center located in the Mint Building, room M1-17, and the Enrollment Service desk in the Bonnell Building lobby. Applications are also available at the front desk in all of the Regional Centers. You may also send your application electronically (please refer to Online Application link) or by mail. After your application has been processed, you will be notified by mail with a placement test date and time. If you are unable to keep the testing appointment, please call 215-751-8010 so you may reschedule your testing appointment.

The purpose of the test is to measure your skills and is not a pass/fail test. It is an assessment tool so that you may be placed in classes that are appropriate to your level of skill. Each test includes writing, reading, and mathematics. The test usually takes three hours, although time may vary depending on individual situations.

Please arrive on time for the test. Bring the appointment card or letter that was sent to you and a valid picture ID such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport.

The results of your test will be ready in approximately five business days. In order to protect the confidentiality of your records, the Assessment Center staff are unable to give test scores over the phone. You will be notified by mail with a date and time for registration. If the registration time and date is inconvenient or you do not receive a registration date, please call 215-751-8010 to schedule your registration.

Test scores are valid for two years. Students need to be retested in mathematics after a two- year period unless they have successfully completed a mathematics course during this time. Students need to be retested in English after a two- year period unless they have successfully completed an English course during this time.

You are exempt from taking the test if:

1. You already have a college degree from an accredited college, and you have requested an official transcript be sent to the college transcript evaluator in BG-6,
2. You have passed college-level English composition and mathematics courses with a C or better from an accredited college,
3. You are interested in taking courses for which testing is not required i.e., Work Force Development Training Programs,
4. You are eligible for the Senior Citizen Program 215-751-8249;
5. Within the last 2 years you received a minimum SAT score of 510 in English and 470 in mathematics, or a minimum ACT score of 17 in English and 14 in mathematics.