New Students / Achieving the Dream

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Placement Tests

• ACT Exam
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• English as a Second Language (SLEP)

All students coming into Delaware County Community College take placement tests for English composition, reading and mathematics. Your test results indicate your current skills in these academic areas and will help you and your counselor plan your academic schedule, including any remedial courses that may be necessary.

Before students can schedule placement examinations a Delaware County Community College application must be submitted. Students receive an admissions package shortly after applications are received that include important information about accessing the student communications portal delaGATE, and registering for placement tests.

ACT Exam

You can take the ACT (American College Testing) assessment exam as a national or residual test.

National ACT
Taking the ACT on a national basis provides the opportunity to send your score report to Delaware County Community College or any other institution. You must register online.

The National ACT is offered at various sites. For available test dates at Delaware County Community College, visit the events calendar and select "Testing Services" from the drop-down menu.

Residual ACT
Residual ACT testing is provided to enrolled or admitted students who are unable to test on a national test date. Test scores are reported to Delaware County Community College and are not transferable to other institutions. Residual testing dates are scheduled and administered by the Assessment Center. The test is 4.5 hours in length. The cost for the Residual ACT is $35.00 and a valid photo ID is required. To register for a testing date, contact the Assessment Center.

For test dates and information, visit the events calendar and select "Testing Services" from the drop-down menu.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

CLEP examinations measure a person’s knowledge of the material covered in introductory college courses. You may have acquired this knowledge in non-traditional settings (on the job, studying on one’s own, etc.). CLEP credit is treated as transfer credit and is awarded only for a passing score. Non-passing scores do not appear on transcripts.

To find out more about the CLEP examination and the College’s equivalencies, stop by or contact the Assessment Center or go to the CLEP website. You can also download your CLEP application.

Testing will be given on a computer in the testing room of the College's Learning Center, Room 4260 in the Academic Building (The Learning Center). A $25 non-refundable handling fee made payable to Delaware County Community College must accompany the registration form. A $77 fee to CLEP must be paid on-line with a major credit card (VISA, American Express or MasterCard). 

For test dates and information, visit the events calendar and select "Testing Services" from the drop-down menu. View CLEP test dates.

There are many CLEP exams. To find out more about the College’s equivalencies, please talk with your advisor or contact the Assessment Center.

English as a Second Language (SLEP)

If your primary spoken language is anything other than English or you were not born in the United States, you MUST take the ESL placement test. 

Before students can schedule placement examinations a Delaware County Community College application must be submitted. Students receive an admissions package shortly after applications are received that include important information about accessing the student communications portal delaGATE, and registering for placement tests.

ESL tests are administered regularly at the Marple campus and Southeast Center; please contact the Assessment Center for other branch location testing information (information top right).