Placement

As of the Fall 2021 semester, most NOVA students will not be required to take placement tests to determine placement for entry level English and Math courses.* Students’ eligibility for course enrollment is based on their U.S. high school grade point average (GPA) or their standardized test scores (i.e. SAT, ACT, or GED). Students should complete the direct enrollment/self-informed placement survey to determine placement.

• A student’s U.S. high school GPA is valid for 5 years after the date of high school graduation.
• Students who completed U.S. high school 6 or more years before applying to NOVA may select courses through informed self-placement. Students may consult the Informed Self Placement Advising Survey to help decide which classes to take.
• SAT, ACT, and GED test scores are valid for 5 years after the date of the test. 

*The Virginia Placement Test (VPT) is still required for students who will receive veterans’ benefits. Students who have not completed high school or a GED, including dual enrollment students, will also be able to take the VPT under certain circumstances. Students whose primary language is not English should take the ESL assessment.

Math Course Placement*

SAT/ACT/GED Scores for Math Placement

* The math course you take depends on your academic goals and program of study. Refer to the requirements in the catalog and contact an advisor for more information. 

Placement into Higher-Level Math

• Recent high school graduates (students who graduated from high school within the last 5 years) may be placed into certain higher-level math courses based on their high school coursework.  The student must provide a copy of their high school transcript for consideration. A minimum GPA of 3.0 with at least Algebra II is required for consideration for placement into higher level math courses.  Placement into higher-level math courses is determine by the table below.

• Recent high school graduates who have a GPA of at least 3.0 and have taken at least Algebra II, but do not meet the grade criteria in the table above, may take the “Calculus only” portion of the VPT (CVPT) to determine placement into MTH 162 , MTH 245 , MTH 261 , or MTH 263 . Contact NOVATesting@nvcc.edu.
• Non-traditional students (students who graduated from high school more than 5 years ago) without college credit or with college coursework not analogous to NOVA course prerequisites, and recent high school graduates with international transcripts are permitted to take the CVPT to determine placement into MTH 162 , MTH 245 , MTH 261 , or MTH 263 . Contact NOVATesting@nvcc.edu.
• Students who have already attempted a math course at NOVA are not permitted to take the CVPT to determine placement.
• Students with college credit may be placed into higher level math using prior college coursework, per VCCS Policy 6.4.0.2. A grade of C- or higher is acceptable for placement, although NOVA credit will not be awarded.
• Students enrolled in the prerequisite at another college or university may be permitted to enroll in a higher-level math course for the subsequent semester. Students may need to provide documentation that they have earned the required grade, per the prerequisite standards for the course, to avoid being dropped from the course.

Math Placement for International Students

Any student who has not completed high school in the U.S. must follow the guidelines below based on their documentation:

• U.S. University Transcript:

  • Unofficial Transcript: Send to mathplacement@nvcc.edu for placement approval.
  • Official Transcript: Send to the CRO (College Records Office) for transfer credit evaluation.

• Foreign High School or University Transcript:

  • In English: Send to mathplacement@nvcc.edu for placement approval.
  • Not in English: Take the Math VPT (Virginia Placement Test).

• No High School or University Transcript:

  • Use the Self Informed Tools provided by mathplacement@nvcc.edu or seek advising.

English Course Placement

SAT/ACT/GED Scores for English Placement

TOEFL/IELTS/DuoLingo/Oxford ELLT Scores for English Placement

International students who do not have the above scores will need to take the Accuplacer. Students with scores lower than those listed above may contact ESL@nvcc.edu for additional guidance.

ACCUPLACER

What is the ACCUPLACER?

It has three parts and should take less than two hours to complete

How do I take the ACCUPLACER?

• First, complete the Online NOVA application. Then visit the Testing Center on campus. Appointments are recommended but not required. Find locations and hours for the Testing Centers here: NOVA Testing Centers.
• It is important to take the ACCUPLACER at a time you can do your best because you cannot immediately take it again.

Students take a placement test to assess their English proficiency prior to enrolling in ESL courses. Students who score 74 or below on the ACCUPLACER and students in F-1 status who place at College ESL Levels 2 and 3 are referred to the American Cultural Language Institute (ACLI). Students who score 75 or higher on the ACCUPLACER will place into College ESL or ENG 111 based on the assessment results. In-state and out-of-state guidelines apply to the College ESL Program, and financial aid is available for those who qualify. 

• Accuplacer Assessment Timeline

  Immediate Placement Notification

• Scores 99 and Below:
  • Students will receive immediate placement based on their scores:
    • 92-99 points: ESL Level 3
    • 75-91 points: ESL Level 2
    • 20-74 points: ESL Level 1 (ACLI)

• Essay Grading for Higher Scores

• Scores 100 and Above:
  • Essays will be evaluated by ESL Faculty. Students will receive their placement information via email, typically within 1 to 2 business days, depending on faculty availability.

• Class Identification

• For Students Scoring 99 and Below:
  • The Placement Result Message will list the ESL courses required based on the student’s score.
• For Students Scoring 100 and Above:
  • An email will be sent containing placement details and a list of required ESL courses.

• Student Notification

• Scores 99 and Below:

  • Students will be informed of their placement immediately upon test completion.

• Scores 100 and Above:

  • Students will receive an email notification within 1 to 2 business days, contingent on ESL Faculty availability.