Placement Testing

All students whose primary language is not English need to take a language placement test. The score that you receive on this test will help us figure out which classes would be most helpful for you in reaching your goals. According to your scores you may be placed in Foundations level, Intermediate level or Advanced level. You may be placed in the Adult Education ESL program if your scores do not show you are ready to be at the academic level yet. If your scores show that you do not need ESL, you will get a waiver from the ESL program.

Total testing time:  < 2 hours

Placement and Course Selection

After you take the placement test, you will meet with the Academic ESL Program Coordinator. We will discuss your scores and your personal background, and we will decide which ESL courses you should take. You will either be placed in the Foundations (Level 5), Intermediate (Level 6) or Advanced (Level 7) class.

Classes include face-to-face instruction and online instruction. You meet your teacher in-person two days a week for 100 minutes each class, and also attend some classes online. You work with your teacher and classmates in groups and pairs. Activities include presentations, discussions, debates and research. You can also participate in conversation groups and projects with American students. Tutors also are available to help you.

All F-1 student visa holders must be full-time students. Citizens or permanent residents can be either full-time or part-time students.

FOUNDATION – LEVEL 5

ESL 051 – Foundations I
ESL 053 – Foundations II

INTERMEDIATE – LEVEL 6

ESL 062 Intermediate Grammar
ESL 064 Intermediate Reading
ESL 066 Intermediate Writing
ESL 068 Intermediate Listening/Speaking
ESL 070 Intermediate Communication Skills

ADVANCED – LEVEL 7

* Students receive college credit for the COMM 100/105.

ESL 072 COMM105 Advanced Grammar
ESL 074 Advanced Reading
ESL 076 Advanced Writing
ESL 078/COMM 100 Advanced Communication Skills

Transitional Math is a way for high school seniors to complete prerequisite math classes in preparation for college. While these classes do not officially count for college credit, they do meet prerequisite requirements. 

Read more about transitional math

What are the Biology and Chemistry Competency Exams for Anatomy and Physiology?

The Biology and Chemistry Competency Exams for Anatomy and Physiology test academic preparation and background knowledge for Biology 145 (Anatomy and Physiology I). The exams do not test a student’s knowledge of anatomy and physiology, but rather test biology and chemistry competency in preparation for anatomy and physiology coursework. A score of 70% or higher on the Biology Competency Exam will allow a student to waive the prerequisite of Biology 100, 101 or 105. A score of 70% or higher on the Chemistry Competency Exam will allow a student to waive the prerequisite of Chemistry 101 or 110. The results of the competency exams are valid for two academic years. If a student takes a competency exam but does not score 70% or higher, yet wishes to try the competency exam again, the student may re-take it two academic years after the previous attempt.

Please notice: Regardless of a student’s score on either competency exam, the student must fulfill the other prerequisites for Biology 145, which are: a student must complete REA 098 and MATH 080 (or COMPASS equivalent) and the student must be eligible for (as determined by COMPASS score or other assessment) or currently enrolled in college-level English courses (100-level or greater).

Students will be tested over the following objectives:

Biology Competency Exam:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method.
2. Understand and effectively use the metric system.
3. Illustrate the chemical foundations of life.
4. List characteristics of living things.
5. Describe the levels of biological organization from atom to biome.
6. Relate the unifying role of cells to all living things.
7. Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
8. Explain concepts of cell structure and function.
9. Explain the action and regulation of enzymes.
10. Describe processes related to energy metabolism.
11. Describe the levels of complexity and organization of the human.
12. Describe the principles of both Mendelian and molecular genetics and their significance to evolutionary processes.
13. Explain evolutionary processes and evaluate the evidence for evolution as an explanation for the diversity of life.
14. Describe the categories of classification of living organisms from species to domain.
15. Identify components of an ecosystem, evaluate the importance of ecosystems and the influence of human population and activities on ecosystems.

The student may wish to refer to an introductory human biology or introductory biology textbook to study for these topics, for example: “Human Biology” by Mader (McGraw-Hill) or “Campbell Essential Biology” by Simon, et al. (Pearson). Copies of the textbooks are on reserve in the library for review (ask for “Biology Competency Exam” books).

Chemistry Competency Exam:

1. Use Metric System (S.I. units) in calculations.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of matter.
3. Solve problems involving energy change.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of chemical periodicity and how it relates to the periodic table.
5. Determine the number of subatomic particles present in an atom.
6. Name inorganic compounds.
7. Balance chemical equations.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of mass percent.
9. Identify the areas of the electromagnetic spectrum and the energy relationship of those areas.
10. Use a periodic table to identify the electron configuration of an atom.
11. Use the mole concepts in calculations.
12. Do calculations involving solutions in stoichiometry.
13. Show the chemical bonding in molecular structures.
14. Demonstrate an understating of liquids, solids and intermolecular forces.
15. Apply qualitatively the various gas laws.
16. Predict shapes of molecules.
17. Demonstrate an understanding of acid and base chemistry.
18. Demonstrate an understanding of oxidation and reduction reactions.
19. Demonstrate an understanding of radioactivity and nuclear chemistry.
20. Describe applications of chemistry to his/her everyday life.

The student may wish to refer to an introductory chemistry textbook to study for these topics, for example “Introductory Chemistry” by Tro (Pearson). Copies of the textbook are on reserve in the library for review (ask for “Chemistry Competency Exam” books).

Who can take the Biology and Chemistry Competency Exams for Anatomy and Physiology?

A student who wishes to take one or both competency exam(s) must be enrolled in the college. The science prerequisite for Biology 145 is Biology 100, 101 or 105 and Chemistry 101 or 110. If a student is confident in his/her biology proficiency, he/she may choose to take the Biology Competency Exam. If a student is confident in his/her chemistry proficiency, he/she may choose to take the Chemistry Competency Exam.

When can I take the Biology and Chemistry Competency Exams for Anatomy and Physiology?

• Quad-Cities Campus – 309-796-5171 (Testing Center) to schedule a test session.
• East Campus – Call 309-854-1732 to schedule a test session.

Special notes

Students who need to take the Biology or Chemistry Competency Exam with accommodations based on their disability should contact Disability Services by calling 309-796-5900 (Quad-Cities Campus) or 309-854-1713 (East Campus) to make arrangements.

Things to Remember on the Day of the Test

• Bring a picture ID. (A driver’s license is preferred).
• Arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled test time.
• Parking passes are available. Come extra early if you need one.
• You MUST have your Black Hawk College ID number to test.

• For sample tests and more information, visit www.accuplacer.org.
• Click on the “Information for Students” button. You will have access to sample questions or several other options but they may have a fee.
• We highly encourage students to review the sample questions as course placement is determined by ACCUPLACER results.

You must bring a signed permit from a Black Hawk College advisor, or a copy of your ACT or SAT report to the test. If you do not have documentation with you at the time of the test you will be required to take the ENTIRE test. If you haven’t had your ACT or SAT scores sent to Black Hawk College, you will need to do so. To request an additional score report, go to ACT’s web page at www.act.org or SAT’s web page at www.sat.org and have one sent to:

Enrollment Services, Black Hawk College, 6600 34th Ave., Moline, IL 61265

or

Enrollment Services, Black Hawk College – East Campus, 26230 Black Hawk Road, Galva, IL 61434

Enrollment Services and/or Advising should let the Testing Center know exactly what test the prospective student is to take upon arrival.
A copy of the ACT or SAT score report should at least go through Advising first.

Students who have taken the ACT or SAT test within the past two years and scored appropriately in the individual English, Reading or Math tests do not have to take the corresponding ACCUPLACER test:

• ACT 19 or higher in English score, or SAT 480 or higher in Reading/Writing score, exempts you from the ACCUPLACER writing test.
• ACT 19 or higher in Reading score, or SAT 480 or higher in Reading/Writing score, exempts you from the ACCUPLACER reading test.
• ACT 22 or higher in Math, or SAT 530 or higher in Math, exempts you from the ACCUPLACER pre-algebra test, however you are required to take the ACCUPLACER Algebra test.

Students who have completed courses, or taken a placement test such as ASSET or ACCUPLACER at another college or university may be exempt from portions of the ACCUPLACER test. These students should first see an advisor or counselor before taking the ACCUPLACER test. Documentation is required and must be reviewed by an advisor to determine which portions of the ACCUPLACER test are needed for course placement. You will need to bring an unofficial copy of your college transcript or ASSET/ACCUPLACER scores when you come to the Advising Center to see an advisor. Without documentation, students will be required to take the entire ACCUPLACER test for course placement. Placement test scores from other colleges and universities that are not ASSET or ACCUPLACER scores cannot be used for course placement at Black Hawk College.

ACT and/or SAT score verification should still go through Advising first. Advising then can let the Testing Center which tests the prospective student will take.

Students who have taken the ACT or SAT test within the past two years and scored appropriately in the individual English, Reading or Math tests do not have to take the corresponding ACCUPLACER test:

• ACT 19 or higher in English score, or SAT 480 or higher in Reading/Writing score, exempts you from the ACCUPLACER writing test.
• ACT 19 or higher in Reading score, or SAT 480 or higher in Reading/Writing score, exempts you from the ACCUPLACER reading test.
• ACT 22 or higher in Math, or SAT 530 or higher in Math, exempts you from the ACCUPLACER pre-algebra test, however you are required to take the ACCUPLACER Algebra test.

Students who have completed courses, or taken a placement test such as ASSET or ACCUPLACER at another college or university may be exempt from portions of the ACCUPLACER test. These students should first see an advisor or counselor before taking the ACCUPLACER test. Documentation is required and must be reviewed by an advisor to determine which portions of the ACCUPLACER test are needed for course placement. You will need to bring an unofficial copy of your college transcript or ASSET/ACCUPLACER scores when you come to the Advising Center to see an advisor. Without documentation, students will be required to take the entire ACCUPLACER test for course placement. Placement test scores from other colleges and universities that are not ASSET or ACCUPLACER scores cannot be used for course placement at Black Hawk College.

ACT and/or SAT score verification should still go through Advising first. Advising then can let the Testing Center which tests the prospective student will take.

You are encouraged to review and study for ACCUPLACER testing. Accuplacer testers can take some practice quizzes on the accuplacer.org website, under “Student Portal,” “Information for Students,” “Accuplacer Practice Resources.” Sample tests and more information on topics that are covered are available at ACCUPLACER.org.

You may take the ACCUPLACER test free of charge one time per academic year (Sept. 1 – Aug. 31). If you wish to retake (second attempt) any part of the Accuplacer test during the same academic year, there is no charge. If you wish to take an additional retake (third attempt) during the same academic year, there is a fee of $15 per individual subject test or $30 for two or more subjects.