Most of our course placement is being done using High School GPA and SAT/ACT scores. For dual enrollment students you may use pSAT scores. Please e-mail assessment@hfcc.edu or call 313-845-9600 for more information, or discuss your placement while meeting with advising.

Placement Guidelines

Review the following information for different placement testing needs.

If you have questions not answered here, please contact assessment@hfcc.edu for assistance.

Math Placement

Additional ACT and SAT scores have been added for placement into courses that typically require Accuplacer scores.

Summary: Placement changes effective March 20, 2020:

  1. Students will be placed based on the following chart:
Classes MATH SAT Score (March 2016 or later) MATH ACT Score
MATH-110 500-530 20-21
MATH-115 540-620 22-26
MATH-175 630-690 27-31
MATH-180 700-800 > 31
  1. If you do not have an SAT/ACT score as listed above, you may be placed into MATH-110, MATH-131, or MATH-141 based on your high school GPA.

    • Completed high school in the last ten years and have a high-school GPA 2.5 or higher: place into gateway Math courses: MATH-110 or MATH-131, or MATH-141
    • All students, including those with a high-school GPA below 2.499 or those who completed high school over 10 years ago; place into (are eligible for) Math co-requisite class pairs
      • MATH-110 + MATH-010 (Intermediate Algebra and its support course)
      • MATH-131 + MATH-031 (Math for the Modern World and its support course)
      • MATH-141 + MATH-041 (Introduction to Statistics and its support course)
      • For MATH-031 and MATH-041; students must also meet English pre-requisite requirements to register


  2. Dual-Enrollment / Early College / Collegiate Academy-Placement Into MATH 115 or 165 (Handled by Waiver)

    Based on high-school teacher, principal, or counselor recommendation, a student may be placed up to MATH-115 or MATH-165
    Beginning Winter 2021, dual-enrollment students may also be placed using PSAT scores. Please reference the MATH SAT score chart listed above for placement information
    Dual-enrollment students looking to take MATH 175 or MATH 180 will also need to take the Accuplacer Math test

English Placement for Early College / Collegiate Academy and Dual Enroll / Advancement Plus

For students who are in Early College, Collegiate Academy, and Dual Enrolled or Advancement Plus, you may use ACT, SAT, or PSAT scores if you have completed one of the standardized tests. That is the preferred placement method. If you do not have ACT / SAT / PSAT scores, you may email assessment@hfcc.edu to request the testing hours.

ESL Placement

We will be offering the ESL test, CaMLA, via in-person testing. Students who need to take the ESL test should use their HawkMail to e-mail assessment@hfcc.edu for more details.

Accuplacer Reading Test – for Health Career programs with a reading test score requirement

Students who need to take the Accuplacer reading test should use their HawkMail to e-mail assessment@hfcc.edu for more details.

Placement Options

For students that are not eligible to place by GPA or SAT/ACT scores, we do offer placement testing.

For students needing to take any placement tests, you may email assessment@hfcc.edu.

In person testing in the Welcome Center

  • Monday & Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (you may take until 6:30 p.m. to finish your test)
  • Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (you may take until 4:30 to finish your test)
  • When you arrive at the Welcome Center you will check-in at the front desk
  • Please remember to bring a valid photo ID with you to your appointment

Course placement and proctored exams

Incoming students, course placement is based on GPA, ACT/SAT scores, or placement testing. See the Placement Guidelines information above.

Current students, you may need proctored exams for online hybrid courses at the Assessment Center. See currently-enrolled students section below.

Please contact us if you have any placement or testing questions.

Contact Us

Hours during Winter Semester: 
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Located in the Welcome Center (WC)
313-845-9600

Provides course placement testing for all students in English and Math.

Assessment Center Services

Incoming Students: Course Placement

Course Placement allows us to evaluate your skills in math, reading, and writing, to make sure you register for classes that give you the best chance to succeed.

If you took the ACT or SAT, you may be eligible to waive course placement and register for classes.

If you want to take advanced subject courses, take our advanced placement tests. See all available tests.

Currently-Enrolled Students: Online Hybrid Exams

Midterms and final exams are provided for some online hybrid courses. Your instructor will tell you if your test needs to be taken in the proctored Assessment Center.

  • Only bring materials that your instructor has approved.
  • No electronic notes or textbooks will be allowed (please make sure all material is printed).
  • Calculators are available on a limited basis (If approved by instructor).
  • You will be responsible to sign up for an appointment time that fits into your instructors assigned testing dates.

Contact your instructor for assigned testing dates and instructions.