Testing and Assessment Services

The Lawson State Community College Testing and Assessment Center offers a variety of testing services:

• ACCUPLACER Placement Exam
• American College Testing (ACT) 
• Ability To  Benefit (ATB)

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All students must show an offical, current, photo ID in order to test. 

All fees must be paid in the Business Office on the Birmingham or Bessemer campus.

Cell phones may not be used in the Testing Center.

Children are not allowed in the Testing Center. 

With prior approval from the Office of Disability Services, testing is available for students with disabilities.

All testing services are by appointment only.

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For scheduling, please feel to visit the testing center on either campus.  The Testing Center is located in the Academic Success Center  (2nd floor) on the Birmingham campus (West ) in Room 220, and in Building A, Room 183-A on the Bessemer Campus.
Or contact by us phone:

Birmingham Campus:
 (205) 929 - 2113 

Bessemer Campus:
(205) 929 - 3419

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What is the ACCUPLACER Placement Test?

High School and GED Graduates entering college, MUST either take a ACCUPLACER Placement Test or present a valid (no older than 3 years) previous ACCUPLACER score report to the College's Admissions & Enrollment Management Office.

ACCUPLACER tests your knowledge in math, reading, and writing. Over 1,500 institutions administer ACCUPLACER tests as part of the enrollment process. These tests help identify your strengths and needs in each subject area. ACCUPLACER interactive online learning tools are available to help you sharpen your skills. The academic advisers and counselors at your college or technical school will use your ACCUPLACER test results along with information about your academic background, goals, and interests to help you take courses that match your skill level and give you the best opportunities for success.  You are encouraged to visit a counselor after receiving your results. A counselor will help you understand the meaning of your placement scores.

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Must I take the assessment before I register for classes? 

If you wish to enroll as a full-time or part-time student, you may have to complete the entire placement assessment unless exempt.  Exemptions are listed below:

• High school students who have a grade of "C"
• or higher in English IV and/or Algebra II.  High school grades cannot be older than 5 years.
• A student who completed ACCUPLACER elsewhere and the scores are less than 3 years old from the intended LSCC entry term.  Please complete an ACCUPLACER Score Report Request form and submit it to our office.   
• A student who has an associate degree or higher;
• A student who transfers degree-creditable, college-level English or mathematics courses with a grade of "C" or better from an accredited institution;
• A student who has successfully completed required developmental coursework at another Alabama Community College System college or an accredited college within the last three years. Course descriptions from institutions outside of the Alabama Community College System must be reviewed;
• A student enrolling to audit a course;
• A student who scores 165 or higher on the Mathematical Reasoning or Reasoning Through Language Arts subject tests of the 2014 series GED;
• A transient student with documentation;
• A student enrolling for personal enrichment purposes only;
• A student whose valid ACT scores (no older than three years) are 20 or higher composite, 20 or higher in mathematics, and 18 or higher in English.  However, students who wish to improve their course placement must take the state placement assessment;
• A student whose SAT English / writing score (before 2016) is > than 440 and whose math score (before 2016) is > than 480. New SAT test scores must be > 25 in English / Writing (new SAT section English / writing scores must be > 510) and > 25.5 in math (new SAT section math scores must be > 510).  However, students who wish to improve their course placement must take the state placement assessment. 

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Only ACT subject matter examinations are used for placement purposes. Composite ACT scores MAY NOT be used for placement in math and English courses.

Mathematics: 
For some programs, the track begins with MTH 116 (non-transferable track for some select majors).  Use caution when following this track.  MTH 116 does not transfer to a state four year college / university.

English Placement

• Placement into ENG 101
  • ACT English sub-score of 18 or above, or
  • HS GPA of 2.75 or higher and A or B grade in English IV, or
  • WritePlacer (Accuplacer) score of 5

• Placement into ENG 101 and ENG 099
  • ACT English sub-score of 17, or
  • HS GPA of 2.75 or higher AND grade of C in English IV, or
  • WritePlacer (Accuplacer) score of 4, or below

Mathematics Placement: Math Placement based on ACT math sub-score of 20 or higher 

• Placement into MTH 100 or MTH 110/MTH 109 LS or MTH 112/MTH 111 LS
  • ACT math sub-score of 18 or 19, or
  • HS GPA of 2.75 or higher and A or B grade in Algebra II, or
  • Accuplacer Elementary Algebra (EA) score of 60-79 for MTH 100
  • Accuplacer Elementary Algebra (EA) score of 80-120 for MTH 110 or 112

• Placement into MTH 100 and MTH 099
  • ACT math sub-score of 17, or
  • HS GPA of 2.75 or higher and C in Algebra II, or
  • Accuplacer Elementary Algebra (EA) score of 50-59 or below

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Lawson State Community College, as mandated by the State Board of Education, has an open door policy. Lawson State admits students who do not have a High School Diploma or a GED Certificate into certain programs. The courses taken in the programs are not creditable towards an associate degree when the student demonstrates an ability to benefit in the programs. Under the ability to benefit provisions, applicants MUST ENROLL IN COURSES NOT CREDITABLE toward an associate degree. Therefore, the courses must reflect a career technical certificate program.  Please contact the Office of Admissions for a list of eligible programs.
 

Steps for Enrollment For Ability To Benefit Students:

1. Submit a completed application for admission. An application must be on file in order to be considered for the Ability to Benefit Assessment.

2. Successfully complete the Ability to Benefit Assessment. The test consists of three (3) parts Writing Skills, Reading, and Numerical Skills. The minimum score for each is part is as follows:  

Writing Skills-32
Reading-62
Numerical Skills-25  

Note: Students must achieve or exceed the minimum scores in each testing area.

3. The Office of Admissions will contact you regarding upcoming assessment dates or call 929-6385. Those needing special accommodations should contact Janine Jones at least two weeks prior to the anticipated assessment date via email at jjones@lawsonstate.edu. 

4. After receiving admission confirmation from the Office of Admissions, register for the appropriate class. Please visit a counselor on the Birmingham or Bessemer campus to register for classes.  

5. Pay applicable tuition / fees.   

6. Contact the Director of Admissions via email at dwaluyn@lawsonstate.edu, if you have additional questions.   

The Office of Admissions will contact you regarding upcoming assessment dates. Student will be sent a letter prior to the test date with all of the required information such as test date, time, and location. For additional information, please contact (205) 929-6396. Those needing special accommodations should contact Janine Jones at least two weeks prior to the anticipated assessment date via email at jjones@lawsonstate.edu

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