Mandatory Assessment and Planned Course Placement
Academic Assessment and Placement Policies
Northern Essex Community College complies with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s 2019 Common Assessment Policy which includes the use of multiple measures and Accuplacer Next Generation for placement into college level courses.
This includes:
- Students enrolling in a degree or certificate program (matriculated students).
- Students enrolling in the following courses: English Composition I; college level math; developmental / corequisite reading, writing, and math; ESL; all courses with numbers beginning with zero; and all other courses with entrance level skills requirements. Please refer to the course description to determine if an assessment is required for a particular course.
- Non-matriculated students will be allowed to register for up to two courses, prior to assessment (with the exception of those courses listed above).
Multiple Measures
Eligible students may register for college level math or writing courses based on cumulative high school GPA of 2.7, SAT scores, High School Equivalency (GED or HiSET) college ready scores or previous college credits.
Eligibility for placement and waivers through multiple measures will be determined upon review of official transcripts and score reports.
Contact the Academic Placement and Testing Center at 978-556-3410 for more information.
Students who are not eligible for course placement or waivers through multiple measures will be required to take Accuplacer Next Generation.
Accuplacer Assessment Methods
Assessments are administered with the state-mandated Accuplacer test, an integrated system of computer-adaptive assessments designed to evaluate students’ skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. Students who apply for enrollment in English Language courses will be assessed with the Accuplacer ESL reading test, the Accuplacer ESL writing test and a communication assessment.
Expiration of Assessment Results
All developmental math, reading and writing, and ESL course placements are valid for one year from the date of assessment.
All college level placements in math, reading and writing are valid for three years from the date of assessment.
SAT scores do not expire.
High School GPA 2.7 placements for English (reading and writing) are valid for 10 years beginning with high school graduation year 2009.
High School GPA 2.7 placements for Math are valid for 3 years beginning with high school graduation year 2014.
HSE (GED) scores for English are valid for 10 years beginning in January 2014.
HSE (GED) scores for Math are valid for 3 years beginning in January 2014.
HSE (HiSET) scores for English are valid for 10 years beginning in January 2017.
HSE (HiSET) scores for Math are valid for 3 years beginning in January 2017.
Assessment Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Accommodations must be approved and coordinated with the Center for Accessibility Resources & Services. Contact the office at 978-556-3654 or centerforaccess@necc.mass.edu well in advance to plan accommodated testing sessions.
Updated: 2022-2023 Academic Catalog (Effective Fall 2022)