Skip to main content
Select Language

Placement Testing

Placement Testing

Congratulations on joining our Gateway Family!

To schedule an appointment for the placement test please call 203-285-2217 or 203-285-2519.

Please note our placement policy has changed. Students are able to use multiple measures to determine their college placement in math and English. Our Placement Policy can be found here.

“What is a placement test?

Placement testing helps identify your academic your academic strengths and needs in math, English. It is a tool for placement that can be used as a standalone measure or in conjunction with others measures as multiple measure of placement. There are three different versions of the placement test: - ALEKS for Math; Challenge Essay for English and Accuplacer for ESOL. After testing you meet with an academic advisor, and the results are used to select the appropriate courses based on your current level of availability. If special testing accommodation is required, contact the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at 203-285-2231.

Who must take a Placement Test?

  • If you cannot report your GPA ( From a High School in the US)
  • If English is your second Language
  • If you graduated from High School more than five years ago.
  • If you are recommended by an academic advisor

Is there a fee for the test?

  • No fee for the test.

What if English is not my first language?

There is a special ESL exam for students whose first language is not English. The ESL tests include Reading, Sentence and Language Usage. The ESL tests will measure your language skills to see if you need additional help with the English language or if you are ready for regular college-level courses.

Can I retake the placement test?

Students who place into developmental courses may be eligible for FREE English and/or math refresher “Boot Camp” for students wishing to refresh their basic skills and improve their ACCUPLACER scores. Attending a Boot Camp will provide students with the opportunity to become familiar with the Gateway campus, review their basic math and English skills, and build confidence. After successfully completing the Boot Camp, students may retake the ACCUPLACER test and possibly place into a higher level course, thereby saving TIME and MONEY. Boot Camps are for students who are motivated, hard-working, and able to commit to attending all sessions of the program.

How can I prepare for the test?

Before scheduling your appointment to take the placement test, it is strongly recommended that you prepare by reviewing the material and taking practice tests.

 Below are links to help you prepare:

How do I register for the Placement test?

Or visiting S205

You will need your CT State Banner ID number to schedule an appointment.

Click Here to view the View the current Accuplacer Schedule (Coming Soon!)

What do I need for my Appointment?

Students must bring their Banner Student ID number to the test session.
Students will be also asked to show an acceptable form of ID from the list below with the name and photograph easily recognizable both before and after the test.

  • College ID
  • Current driver’s license
  • Current passport
  • High School ID
  • Naturalization card
  • State issued ID
  • Tribal ID

Where does the Placement test take place?

At the Center for Educational Services  (CES) - Room S205

Placement Re-Testing Policy

The ESOL placement test can only be taken once every two years except for those students who get placed into Low Beginning/Continued Ed. If the students have proof of attendance on an ESOL learning course such as Adult Education, they can retake the placement test after one semester. The ALEKS PPL can be retaken four times. Students, however, must do the three-hour learner module given to them after their first test and wait 48 hours between attempts. All retake attempts must be proctored in the CES. The English challenge essay can not be retaken.