RISE Placement Testing
The purpose of placement testing is to ensure the academic readiness of incoming students with the academic requirements of the curriculum. Students entering diploma and degree programs as well as many certificate programs must satisfy the placement test requirement as part of the enrollment process. The RISE (Reinforced Instruction for Student Excellence) Placement Test is one way that students can satisfy this requirement.
Who Needs to Take the Test?
Please review the Placement Options page to determine if you need to take the RISE placement test.
About the Test
- The test consists of two sections: English and Math.
- The test is free to all SCC applicants.
- Testing is available at the Jackson Campus (Sylva) and the Macon Campus (Franklin).
- The Testing Center will provide scratch paper, pencils, calculators and formula sheets for use during the test. Personal calculators are not allowed.
- Distance learning students (those who do not live in the Jackson, Macon and Swain
- County area) may contact the Testing Center for assistance in locating a test site near them.
- Test Results are valid for a period of ten years from the date of the test.
Scheduling the Test
Please contact the SCC Testing Center to schedule your testing appointment.
Subject Areas:
English:
- The RISE English test consists of two tiers. Students must achieve a score of at least 70 on the first tier to progress to the second tier.
- Students who score less than 70 on the first tier will be placed into a Transition English course.
- Students who score a 70 or higher on the first tier will be placed into a gateway English course with a required co-requisite support course. Students may then choose to take the second tier test for placement into a gateway English course without a required co-requisite course. A score of 70 or higher is required on the second tier.
English Concepts Covered:
| Tier 1 | Tier 2 |
| • Introduction to College Reading & Writing • Identifying Main Ideas • Discovering Implied Meaning • Interpreting Bias • Analysis through Definition • Learning Across Disciplines |
• Exploring Comparative Elements • Informed Opinions through Causal Chains • Applied Critical Analysis • Using Sources in Critical Reading & Writing |
Math:
- The RISE Math test consists of three tiers. Students must achieve a score of at least 70 on the each tier to progress to the next tier.
- Students who score less than 70 on the first tier will be placed into a Transition Math course.
- Students who score a 70 or higher on the first tier may then choose to take the second tier test for placement into gateway math courses if needed. A co-requisite course may be required depending on the gateway course.
- Students who score a 70 or higher on the second tier may then choose to take the third tier if needed for placement into a higher level gateway course.
- The Testing Center staff will assist students with determining the number of tiers needed for the math requirements within their program of study.
Math Concepts Covered:
| Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
| • Whole Numbers • Fractions & Mixed Numbers • Decimals • Ratios, Rates, & Proportions • Percents • Measurement • Geometry • Real Numbers |
• Concepts in Statistics • Solving Equations & Inequalities • Exponents & Polynomials • Graphing |
• Factoring • Systems of Equations & Inequalities • Rational Expressions • Radical Expressions & Quadratic Equations • Functions |
The Day of the Test
- Arrive 5-10 minutes early. Students arriving after the test has started may be asked to reschedule.
- The test is untimed. Testing time is dependent upon student pace but it typically takes between 3-4 hours to complete all tests.
- You will need to show a valid photo ID to test.
- You do not need to bring any materials with you. We provide all testing materials.
Test Results
- Upon completion of the test, the student will receive a printed score report. The test administrator and your advisor will help you interpret the scores.
- Test scores are considered valid for a period of ten years from the date the assessment was completed.
Preparing for the Test
In order to improve course placement, students are strongly encouraged to prepare for the placement test. Below are some methods students may use to prepare for the test:
Printable Resources:
The following documents can be printed and used to prepare for the test. Please note that you will need to download these documents and open them as PDFs in order to ensure that some of the images display properly.
Online Resources:
EdReady (Public Site):
Once you create an account, choose “Prepare for Common Placement Exams” as your goal. The practice tests available are very similar to the test used by SCC.
ACCUPLACER Web-Based Study App:
This practice site is for the ACCUPLACER Next-Generation test but covers much of the same material as the RISE Placement test.
The following online resources may also benefit you:
Khan Academy
Purple Math
Mometrix
Math Help
HippoCampus
