Placement Guidelines
Welcome to the official page for North Carolina Community College Placement guidelines and information! The information on this page has been revised to reflect the upcoming new Developmental Education Framework. While full implementation is planned for Fall 2025, some institutions may begin adopting the new framework as early as Fall 2024.
GPA vs. Placement Tests
As is stated in the new Developmental Education Framework, GPA is THE primary placement indicator for developmental education courses. However, local colleges retain the flexibility to administer placement tests of their choosing for specific groups, such as students without a GPA, those challenging their placement, or other targeted populations. It is important to emphasize that placement tests should only be used for small groups and with the goal of placing students up and out of developmental education, directly into college-level courses.
Standardized Assessment Placement Scores
Colleges locally determine which (if any) placement test(s) may be offered for students without a GPA, those challenging their placement, or other specific populations. The North Carolina Community College System Office has released standard cut scores for standardized assessments, ensuring greater consistency statewide. These scores apply to all vendors who have provided their assessment data to the System Office. The System Office will continue to update these scores as additional vendors share their information. It is important to note that colleges may also choose to offer locally developed assessments, which may have different cut scores. Please see the details below! Again, GPA remains the primary placement indicator for placement in the new developmental education courses, as outlined in the new framework.
Note: Information Regarding EdReady/NROC & Other Vendors
The software and/or placement testing company (if any) will be a local college decision in the new model. EdReady can still be chosen and supported by any colleges who choose to remain utilizing EdReady/NROC. Many colleges have expressed interest in continuing to use EdReady/NROC to supplement instruction in the new courses. On the other hand, many colleges have also mentioned they wish to change software and/or placement testing companies at their institutions, and some have already started working with other software companies (e.g., Accuplacer, Hawkes, Aleks, Pearson, etc.).
