Students are required to take the placement test if they are pursuing a degree, diploma, or if they are planning to enroll in a course with a pre-requisite.
Surry Community College administers the North Carolina Diagnostic and Placement (NC DAP) test. The NC DAP test is taken via computer and contains four components: WritePlacer Essay, Reading, Revising/Editing, and Math. A fifth component, College-Level Math, may be administered depending on your math score and eligibility will be determined by a Student Success Advisor. The WritePlacer is a timed essay test and students are allowed 2 hours to complete the essay. All other placement test sections are untimed. The average testing time for all four sections is approximately 3 hours.
A completed admissions application must be on file prior to testing. The tests assess your skills in the fundamentals of reading, writing and mathematics. Your scores are used to place you appropriately into courses that will enable you to succeed.
If you are applying for an Associate Degree in Nursing, Practical Nursing or Physical Therapy Assistant please review specific program requirements by visiting the admissions website.
The Testing Center recommends that all students review prior to taking the placement test. Study guides are located in the Testing Center and the Office of Student Services. (All placement test review information is provided as review only, without warranty or guarantee that a student's test scores will improve. SCC takes no responsibility in test scores as a result of using the online study guide or any link to a study guide.)
Scheduling Your Placement Test
Due to the assessment being administered on computers, students will be able to participate in the session on a walk-in basis based on the available testing hours. Only one section, WritePlacer Essay, is timed on the NC DAP test and you are allowed 2 hours to complete the essay. All other sections are untimed. The average time for all four sections is approximately 3 hours.
Special Testing Needs
If you have a special need (permanent or temporary) that will affect your ability to take the test under standard conditions, you should inform the Testing Staff in a timely manner before taking the test. Reasonable accommodations will be provided. (See the Office of Disability Services for more information on testing accommodations).
Testing Hours
No exams or tests will be offered in the Testing Center on the 3rd Monday and 3rd Wednesday of each month due to GED Testing. Hours are subject to change with college holiday's or special circumstances. Test dates are subject to change without prior notice.
You will need to bring a photo ID or Student ID card, as well as your Student ID Number, issued when you were accepted to SCC. A brief orientation will take place before your exam session. While the test is computerized, knowledge of computers is not necessary and our Testing Center staff will provide assistance if you are unfamiliar with using a computer. You should not bring calculators, cell phones or any other devices to the Testing center unless specified by the proctor. Pencils and paper will be provided for the math section along with a pop-up calculator for certain questions. There is no time limit to the assessment, so do not rush. The only section that is timed is the essay, which allows 2 hours to complete. Remember, you cannot fail. You will receive your scores right after the test during an information session. Your placement test scores are valid for five years.
You may retest the NC DAP math placement test one time within a calendar year, provided that you pay a retesting fee of $10 to the cashier and then bring the receipt to the Center.
Until the release of the new NCDAP English and Reading Placement Test, you may retest the Accuplacer English and Reading placement test one time within a calendar year, as long as you pay the $10 retesting fee to the cashier and then bring the receipt to the Center.
Once you have enrolled in a developmental course (DMA, DRE) sequence, you will not be able to retest.
Choosing a college is an important decision, and we’re pleased that you’re interested in Surry Community College.