High School Completion and English as a Foreign Language (ESL) Placement Testing (College and Career Readiness)

To enroll in the Central Piedmont high school completion and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, you need to take a placement test. For more information on these progrms, please contact College and Career Readiness.

Requirements to Take the Placement Test

  • Apply to Your Program

    You must submit the application for your program before you can take the placement test. You cannot take the placement test until you submit your application:

    High school completion

    English as a Second Language (ESL)

  • Bring ID

    Bring a valid, government issued photo ID to your test.

  • Arrive Early

    Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled test. You will take your test on Central Campus in the North Classroom Building, Room 1104.

About the Placement Tests

  • High School Completion Programs: Adult Basic Education (ABE) Placement Test

    You will take two placement tests: a reading test and a math test. These tests focus on academic reading and math skills based on everyday life and workplace situations. Plan for the testing session to last about four hours.

    • reading appraisal: 15 minutes
    • reading placement test: 60–75 minutes (based on test level)
    • math appraisal: 15 minutes
    • math placement test: 60–75 minutes (based on test level)

    The Testing Center will provide handheld scientific calculators, scratch paper, and pencils on the day of your test.

  • English as a Second Language (ESL)

    Your test results will help your advisor place you into a class that meets your needs and that isn’t too hard or too easy. You will be tested on your English listening and reading skills. These tests focus on listening and reading skills based on everyday life and workplace situations. The test will take at least three hours:

    • listening appraisal: 30 minutes
    • reading appraisal: 15 minutes
    • reading placement test: 60 minutes

Schedule Your Placement Test

Space at each test is very limited. If you need an accommodation for testing based on a documented disability, such as additional time for testing, contact Disability Services before scheduling your test.

Steps to Enroll

High school completion
English as a Second Language (ESL)

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