Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

Placement process

To get into most college classes, new students must meet certain prerequisites. The placement process helps you make informed decisions about which reading, writing, and math classes to start with. Accurate placement helps avoid wasting time, energy, and money. Your placement steps depend on your previous college experience:

I'm new!

New to college

  • Less than 7 years since high school arrow right submit high school grades
  • More than 7 years since high school arrow right take math placement test, request reading and writing placement
I'm back!

Returning to college

  • Transfer from another college arrow right submit college transcripts
  • Return to PCC after an absence arrow right check MyPCC for placement status or contact us

The placement process is different for students enrolling in ESOL or GED®.

How to complete placement

High school grades and test scores

Submit high school grades and test scores if both these things are true:

  • This is your first time in college
  • It’s been 7 years or less since high school or GED®
How to submit grades
  1. Prepare

    Gather your grades and test scores. If you didn’t take these classes or tests, that’s okay – just fill out as much as you can.

    Grades:

    • Junior and Senior English
    • AP or IB English
    • Pre-Algebra, Algebra or Calculus

    Test scores:

    • AP or IB test scores
    • SAT or ACT scores
    • Smarter Balance scores
    • GED® scores
  2. Submit grades

    Log in to MyPCC and click Submit high school grades under the Quick Links header. Click Save, let the page refresh, then click Ready to be placed to submit your grades.

  3. Get your placement results

    Check your MyPCC email for a message about your placement and next steps.

Math placement tests

Take a math placement test if both these things are true:

  • This is your first time in college
  • It’s been more than 7 years since high school or GED®
How to take math placement test
  1. Prepare

    You can take the test on a personal computer, at a Testing Center, at the Hillsboro Center, or at the Newberg Center. You don’t need to study beforehand.

  2. Take the ALEKS math skills test

    Log in to MyPCC and click ALEKS math skills under the Quick Links header. You’ll have 48 hours to finish the test (most people finish in about 90 minutes). ALEKS scores are valid for three years. Need help? See the ALEKS help page.

  3. Get your placement results

    Check your MyPCC email for a message about your placement and next steps within 24 hours.

Reading and writing placement

Complete the reading and writing placement request if both these things are true:

  • This is your first time in college
  • It’s been more than 7 years since high school or GED®
How to request reading and writing placement
  1. Prepare

    Gather grades from any high school reading and writing coursework you’ve completed.

  2. Request placement

    Submit the reading and writing placement form.

  3. Get your placement results

    Check your MyPCC email for a message from your advisor. Your advisor will help you determine the best placement and next steps.

College transcripts

Submit your transcript if:

  • You have completed reading, writing, or math classes at another college
How to submit transcripts
  1. Prepare

    Get a copy of your unofficial transcript from previous colleges. At most schools, you can view unofficial copies on the school website.

  2. Submit transcript

    Upload your transcript to the prerequisite override form. An advisor will review your transcript.

  3. Get your placement results

    Check your MyPCC email for a message from your advisor. If your past classes count as prerequisites, you can register for classes. If your classes don’t count as prerequisites, your advisor will tell you your next steps.

Want to transfer credits to count towards PCC degree requirements?  Submit official transcripts for transfer credit evaluation.  

What’s next?

After getting your placement results, the next step is to sign up for a Panther Registration Session where you will connect with an advisor and register for classes.

Need help?

Have a question about getting started at PCC? Contact us – we can help you figure out what to do next!

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