Placement Testing

Upon admission to the college, Admissions office personnel, using waiver criteria, determine whether a student is required to take the placement test.

Student who meet any of the following criteria are automatically waived:

• Minimum of 6 college credits, including English Composition and math course work with grades C or better;
• Minimum of 80 overall high school average;
• Associate's degree or higher;
• Minimum of 24 college credits, including English Composition and math course work with grades C or better;
• SAT Verbal/Critical Reading 500+ and Math 500+;
• Enhanced ACT (Composite 23 and Math 23 and English 22);
• Completion of Placement Testing at Hudson Valley Community College or another college.

If you feel that you meet any of the above criteria and should be waived from the Placement Test, please call the Admissions Office at (518) 629-7309.

On-Campus Testing
We are currently offering some testing sessions on campus. To sign up, please use your college-issued username and password to access the Testing Registration Form. Once you have selected a date and time to take your test on campus you will receive a confirmation in your HVCC email.

Testing Registration Form

Remote/Online Testing
Testing can be offered in a remote/online format. Students with a testing center in close proximity to their home will be given a remote location voucher. To request a remote/online test, please email testing@hvcc.edu with your full name and date of birth (preferably from your HVCC email account). We will verify your eligibility and send back the available testing modality.

Ability to Benefit
Ability to benefit students should reach out to us by email at testing@hvcc.edu.

Important Notes:
You will need your college-issued username and password to access forms and your email. For help identifying and/or troubleshooting your username and password, visit Student Username and Password Help.

The test is given in Guenther Enrollment Services Center, Room 132.

• You may park in any spot that is not marked as reserved.
• Proceed past the Marvin Library and enter into the Guenther Enrollment Services Center.
• The Placement Testing room is on the first floor.

I missed my test date; what should I do?
If you missed or can't make your test date, call the Testing Office at (518) 629-7255 to reschedule as soon as possible. Tests are offered regularly throughout the year.

I absolutely can't take the test on a weekday; what should I do?
Tests are offered periodically in the evening and on Saturdays. If you need an evening or weekend date, please call the Testing Office at (518) 629-7255. Please be aware that there is no advisement available during the evening or on Saturday, so you will be required to return to campus to complete the scheduling process.

Can I fail the test?
No. You cannot fail the Placement Test, and your scores will not prohibit you from attending Hudson Valley Community College. The test scores will help you and your advisors determine the best courses for you to take during your first semester.

What does the test measure?
There are three sections of the Placement Test: writing, reading, and mathematics (pre-algebra - algebra). The writing section measures your skills in grammar and punctuation. The reading test measures comprehension. The mathematics tests include basic arithmetic through algebra.

Should I study for the Placement Test?
You are not expected to learn anything new for the Placement Test. It is designed to give you and your advisor a current assessment of your basic skills.

I have a documented learning disability or other disability and require test accommodations; what should I do?
You should call the Testing Office at (518) 629-7255 or TDD (518) 629-7596 as soon as you receive your testing letter. We will connect you with the Center for Access and Assistive Technology and they will help you schedule your test date. Special accommodations cannot be made during a regular testing session; therefore, it is important that you call us when you get your testing letter.

Can I take the Placement Test closer to home?
Students living at a significant distance from the college or enrolling in an online degree program may request to take the Placement Test at a location closer to their home. This decision is made on an individual basis and is at the discretion of the coordinator of testing, advisement, and academic placement. Students interested in this option, called Remote Testing, need to contact the Testing Office. Students should note that there is usually a fee required by the remote testing site to take a Remote Test. There is no fee to take the Placement Test on Hudson Valley’s campus. After completing the test, the student will receive instructions explaining how to contact an academic advisor. Students should also note advisement is usually not available from a distance.

If you have questions about Placement Testing in general or want to inquire about Remote Testing, please contact the Testing Office by email testing@hvcc.edu or call (518) 629-7255.