Testing Services

Applicants for curriculum programs must be tested for course placement, unless exempted. Exemptions may be granted if one of the following criteria is met:

• The applicant has graduated high school in the past three years, has a final high school GPA of 3.0+ or higher on the SC Uniform Grading Scale or the equivalent, and a Level 4 math course with a grade of 85+ or higher. If you have questions related to a fourth-level math course, call MTC admissions at 803.738.7879. High school transcript evaluation will determine if assessment is required.
•  The applicant has qualifying standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) scores within the past three years. Scores will be evaluated to determine if assessment is required. See WWW.MIDLANDSTECH.EDU/admissions/testing-services for score information.
• The applicant has earned a C or better in an appropriate college-level English and mathematics course taken at a regionally accredited institution. Transcript evaluation will determine if assessment is required.
• The applicant has earned advanced placement credit for English and mathematics on CLEP and/or AP exams that are recognized by the college.
• The applicant has earned a two-year degree or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university. This exemption may not be applicable to some academic programs.
• The applicant has achieved a satisfactory score on the Midlands Technical College Placement Test within the previous three years.
• The applicant plans to enroll in a select group of certificate programs that do not require placement testing.
• The applicant is not pursuing an academic award and desires to be admitted to take a specific course or courses under Career Development status as a non-matriculating student. The applicant must meet all course prerequisites. English and mathematics courses, or courses with English and mathematics skills prerequisites, require demonstrated proficiency in English and mathematics skills and may require testing if acceptable prerequisite courses have not been completed. Visiting students from other colleges may satisfy prerequisites by presenting a transient form from their home college. Students not pursuing degrees, diplomas or certificates are limited to 18 hours in Career Development status, unless this limit is waived by the academic department chair.

NOTE: Additional testing will be required for admission into Health Science and Nursing programs. For information on criteria for these programs, refer to the MTC Academic Catalog.

The placement test consists of questions that address the applicant’s decidedness relative to program choice and career goals and items that assess services the applicant may require. The main emphasis of the placement test, however, is on academic preparedness and helping students make sound educational decisions. Unless exempted as noted in the previous paragraph, applicants are required to take a reading comprehension test, a basic mathematics test and an algebra skills test. Depending on the applicant’s placement test scores, the applicant shall be:

• Placed in entry-level courses in the chosen program;
• Placed in Developmental Studies (DVS);
• Placed concurrently in DVS and a program of study; or
• Referred to an outside agency for skills upgrading.

Reading scores will determine whether applicants will be admitted into the college and into which courses they will be placed. Reading scores will determine placement in the appropriate level of English. The combined math and reading scores determine placement into sequential levels of mathematics. Students who don’t meet minimum academic criteria in one or more of the basic skills areas for their intended program major must satisfactorily complete the respective Developmental Studies course(s) before taking related courses in their chosen programs.

In addition to assessment for the purpose of placing students into appropriate entry-level courses, students will participate in other assessment activities such as surveys, questionnaires, exit testing and focus groups during enrollment at MTC. This additional assessment will measure student development and student opinions of programs and services offered by the college. The information gained from these assessment activities will be used to improve programs and services to better meet the needs of students. College faculty and staff are interested in the success of students and in obtaining student input for college improvement.

For a complete list of Testing Services that are offered and testing hours, visit Testing Services.