Bergen Community College administers the Accuplacer/English as a Second Language (ESL) examination to determine a student’s proficiency in reading, writing, and listening skills and may place students in the American Language Program (ALP), also referred to as the ESL program.
Students placed into the ALP/ESL program are required to complete this program before registering for courses in their chosen curricula.
Students who complete the ALP/ESL program or who have tested out of the program through the Accuplacer ESL examination are then required to take the mathematics portion of the Accuplacer examination.

Accuplacer Entrance Exam Checklist

  • Apply to Bergen Community College
  • Receive BCC Student ID#
  • Check for Waivers
  • Check website for In-person testing schedule and Remote online options
  • Study
  • Need valid physical Picture ID Card.

Who must take the Accuplacer ESL Examination?

  • International students on F-1 visas
  • Non-native English speaker residents of the U.S. for fewer than 8 years and not a U.S. high school graduate
  • Non-native English speaker U.S. high school graduates with 1 or 2 years in a U.S. high school
  • Non-native English speakers who passed the General Educational Development Examination (GED) or High School Equivalency Examination (HSE) in a language other than English.

Note: Non-native speakers who have lived in the U.S. for more than 8 years who have little or no formal English studies may choose to take the Accuplacer ESL examination.

What conditions can waive the placement test requirement?

For ALP/ESL placement test waiver criteria, please visit the “Placement Test Waiver Information” Web page for details.

ESL/ALP Placement Test Content

The ESL/American Language Program Accuplacer test includes:

  • Listening Exam (20 untimed multiple-choice questions)
  • Language Usage (20 untimed multiple-choice questions)
  • Reading Skills (20 untimed multiple- choice questions)
  • 50-minute timed essay.

Placement Test Preparation

Placement Test Fee

  • Remote online testing is offered through Examity for a $25 fee.
    Note: Effective July 1, 2023, however, the $25 fee will be required.

Placement Testing Options

Option 1 -In-Person Testing

  • In person testing is available, on a walk-in basis, between 9:30 A.M. and 1:00 P.M.
  • To take an in-person test/exam, please report to Office of Testing Services/One Stop Center, Room OS-102, Pitkin Education Center, at the College’s main campus in Paramus, NJ.
  • Bring a valid physical picture ID.
  • Pictures of ID cards on electronic devices (e.g., cellphone, tablet, camera...) are not accepted as proof of identity.
  • There is no fee.

Option 2 – Remote Online Testing

  • Students that do not qualify for a waiver and are interested in taking the Accuplacer entrance exam online should email [email protected] for further information and instructions.

Notes:
1. No test will be administered without proper identification.
2. Students are not permitted to use a cellphone to take the placement test.

Placement Test Results Interpretation

If you have taken the Accuplacer ESL examination and have a placement in ALP/ESL, review the “ESL/ALP Program Details” information accessible at ESL Program Information Web page.

Question or help with selecting classes? Visit the New Student Advising/One Stop Center for assistance.

Contact Information

For questions or further information about ALP/ESL placement test, please contact the Office of Testing Services:

Placement Test Results Release/Disclosure Statement

  1. The Office of Testing Services cannot answer specific questions over the phone about a student or the student’s placement test results.
  2. All students must come to the Office of Testing Services/One Stop Center, Room OS-102, Pitkin Education Center, with government issued photo identification to receive specific information about their student record.
  3. Third parties never receive specific information about a student as per The Family Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).  For more information about FERPA at BCC, please visit the “FERPA / Release of Student Information” Web page.

Note to Guidance Counselors, Testing Center Staff, and other School Officials

  1. Please have the students upload the actual waiver request, along with their supporting documents.
  2. The status of the student’s waiver request goes directly back to the student’s current email address on file.