ESL Placement Test and Waiver

The ESL Accuplacer test must be taken in-person on the Paramus Campus in the One Stop Center.

Bergen Community College administers the Accuplacer/English as a Second Language (ESL) examination to non-native English speakers to determine a student’s proficiency in reading, writing, and listening skills.

The key points regarding the placement and testing requirements are:

  • Placement: Students who score below the required proficiency level are placed into one of the four levels of  the ESL program.
  • Program Completion: Students must complete the ESL program (or test out of it) before registering for courses in their chosen major.
  • Next Step (Mathematics): Once the ESL requirement is satisfied, students are then required to take the mathematics placement test.

Accuplacer Entrance Exam Checklist

  • Apply to Bergen Community College
  • Receive Bergen Community College Student ID#
  • Check for Waivers
  • Check website for In-person testing schedule
  • Study

Who should take the Accuplacer ESL Examination?

  • Non-native English speakers
  • International students on F-1 visas, depending on country of origin and previous education
  • U.S. high school graduates with no more than 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.
  • Non-native speakers who wish to strengthen their English skills, i.e. reading, writing, speaking.

What conditions can waive the placement test requirement?

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

Placement Testing Schedule

In-Person Testing

  • In person testing is available, on a walk-in basis, between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 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 (i.e. passport, driver’s license etc.)
  • Pictures of ID cards on electronic devices (e.g., cellphone, tablet, camera...) are not accepted as proof of identity.
  • There is no fee.

Notes:

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

ESL Placement Test Content

The ESL/American Language Program Accuplacer test includes:

    • Listening Exam;
    • Language Usage;
    • Reading Skills;
    • Writing Skills (50-minute timed essay).

Notes: The first three sections contain up to 25 untimed multiple- choice questions.

Placement Test Preparation

Placement Test Results Interpretation

If you have taken the Accuplacer ESL examination and have a placement in ESL, review the “ESL 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.

ESL Placement Challenge Test

  • Students are only allowed to challenge/retake a placement test one time IF they meet the eligibility requirements.
  • Students are ineligible to challenge/retake a placement test IF a grade of A, AU, B, C, CBE/PLA, CNP, CP, D, E, F, INC., M, N, Q (Audit), R, TR, or W is listed on a student’s record for the subject they wish to challenge.
  • Challenge/retake tests must be taken before the last day of the DROP/ADD registration dates for any semester that a student has enrolled in a class.

Contact Information

For questions or further information about 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.