Assessment and Placement
A good start is essential to your college success. Here you will find the information and tools you need to select the courses that are best suited to your experience and level of learning. Be sure to check the requirements for your degree program, particularly the math requirement.
In order to support you on your educational journey, Maricopa Community Colleges uses multiple measures to determine the appropriate classes for you to take in English, math, reading, or English as a Second Language (ESL).
High school GPA, GED scores, college entrance exam scores (ACT or SAT), or placement testing provided by EdReady are some of the measures that can help you select for English, math, and reading courses. CELSA is one of the measures that can help you select ESL courses.
| Measure | Criteria | How to Submit |
|---|---|---|
| High school GPA | Attended high school in the U.S. within the last 10 years. Completed at least two years of high school. 2.6 unweighted high school GPA | Digitally |
| ACT or SAT scores | Taken within last five years | Digitally |
| GED scores | Taken within last five years | Digitally |
| EdReady scores | See the EdReady for Course Placement page | Automatically uploaded |
| ACCUPLACER and WritePlacer scores | Taken within the last two years | Automatically uploaded |
| CELSA | Taken within the last two years | Automatically uploaded |
Course Placement Tools
Course Placement Chart
You can view the Maricopa Course Placement Chart to use your GPA or test scores to see your course recommendations in English, reading, and math.
See Maricopa Course Placement Chart
Placement Test
You will need to take a placement test if any of the following apply to you:
- You are currently a high school freshman or sophomore
- You have a desire to place in a higher level of English, math, or reading class
- Your cumulative high school GPA is below a 2.6, and you do not have an eligible ACT score, SAT score, or GED score
- Your high school transcripts are older than 10 years
- Your high school transcripts are from outside the United States
Placement with EdReady
If you don’t have a qualifying high school GPA, GED, ACT/SAT, or ACCUPLACER/WritePlacer score, you can use EdReady for course placement. EdReady is a free online tool that assesses your English, math, and reading knowledge, then creates a personalized study plan so you can master the concepts required for course placement.
ESL Placement
If you need to enroll in an ESL course, please use one of the options below for placement:
- Provide scores from one of the following approved English language tests:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- Duolingo
- Talk with an advisor or ESL faculty member when you have your score, and they can help you determine proper course placement.
- Take the CELSA Placement assessment provided at a Maricopa Community College by completing the Testing Request Form.
For ESL placement information, refer to the Maricopa Course Placement Chart.
The chart below provides the alignment of English language scores to the Common European Framework (CEFR):
| CEFR | ESL Course Placement |
|---|---|
| B2 | Transitional: Take the EdReady Placement Assessment for placement into English, ESL, or Reading courses |
| B1-B2 | Level IV: ESL 040 Grammar, ESL 041 Listening & Speaking, ESL 042 Writing, ESL 044 Idiomatic English, RDG/ESL046, Reading ESL IV |
| B1 | Level III: ESL 030 Grammar, ESL 031 Listening & Speaking, ESL 032 Writing, ESL 034 Idiomatic English, RDG/ESL036, Reading ESL III |
| A1-A2 | Level I: ESL 010 Grammar, ESL 011 Listening & Speaking, ESL 012 Writing, ESL 014 Idiomatic English, RDG/ESL01, Reading ESL I |
| A1 | Level II Basic: ESL 002 Basic English as a Second Language II, RDG 008 Phonics Level I Basic: ESL001 Basic English as a Second Language I, RDG008 Phonics |