Proficiency Tests

Proficiency tests are offered as a means of placement for a variety of college courses.
Successful scores on these exams allow students to register for higher level courses within the same discipline sequence.

Note: A proficiency test earns a waiver of the course upon passing. However, a successful proficiency test carries no course credit.

Purpose and Eligibility

  • Waiver Only: Passing scores on an exam allows students to register for the next course in a sequence, but no course credit is awarded.
  • Requirement Review: Students should consult an Academic Counselor or Advisor in the One Stop Center to review specific program requirements.
  • Prerequisites: All prerequisites for the course a student wishes to test out of must be completed prior to scheduling a test appointment.

Note: Proficiency test eligibility confirmation requires a full review of a student’s record by the Testing Services staff.
Challenge/retake tests must be taken before the last day of the DROP/ADD registration dates for any semester that a student is enrolled in a mathematics class.

Scheduling and Fees

  • Appointment Only: Tests are conducted by appointment only and must be scheduled in person at the One Stop Center, Room OS-102 (Pitkin Building, Paramus campus).
  • Identification: A valid government-issued photo ID, BCC student ID, or BCC Digital ID is required for registration and testing.
  • Fees: There is a $30.50 non-refundable fee per exam. Payment methods can be found at bergen.edu/bursar.
  • Blackout Dates: No proficiency tests are scheduled during midterm or final exam periods.

Attendance and Rescheduling

  • Late Policy: There is a 15-minute grace period; arriving later than this will require an additional $30.50 fee to test at a later date.
  • Rescheduling: You may reschedule one time without a new fee if you notify the Testing Services office via email at [email protected] at least 24 business hours in advance. Failure to provide this notice results in another $30.50 charge for a future attempt.

Subject-Specific Policies

Chemistry (CHM-100)

  • Eligibility: Students cannot take the test if they have already taken a CHM-100 class and received a grade.
  • Retakes: Students are not permitted to retake the CHM-100 proficiency exam.
  • Time Limit: Students are allowed 120 minutes for the test.
  • Materials: Students will be provided a non-graphing and non-programmable calculator. A periodic table is provided.
  • Format: Test consists of 50 multiple choice questions.
  • Passing Score: 40 out of 50. Results are available the same day.
  • Student Resources: Feel free to refer the CHM-100 Proficiency Test Review Questions.

Mathematics 

  • Upper-Level Courses: Students seeking to register for MAT-180 (Precalculus) or MAT- 280 (Calculus) should visit OS-102 with a photo ID to discuss testing options.
  • Format: Testing Services currently administers the ALEKS test which consists of 25 questions. Please see more details on _https://bergen.edu/testing/math-placement/.
  • Time Limit: Students are allowed up to a 3-hour time limit.
  • Retakes: Students are allowed a total of 3 attempts, though a home study practice program is required between retakes.
  • Ineligibility: Students that have already used three ALEKS attempts or have previously taken or attempted MAT-157/59 are ineligible for math proficiency testing
  • Materials: Calculators are not permitted. Scrap paper is provided.
  • Passing Score: The ALEKs score range is 0-100. A score of 41 places you into MAT-160 (Intermediate Algebra). A score of 66 places you into MAT-180 (Precalculus). Results are available the same day.

Study Resources

Contact

For in person assistance regarding proficiency test, report to the Office of Testing Services/One Stop Center, Room OS-102, Pitkin Building (1st floor), at the College’s main campus in Paramus, NJ.