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English Placement

Placement into English Classes

Students may place into English using one of the multiple measure or placement options. For example, your placement into English may be determined by a previous English course, a previous placement test, or another method.

Are you an International Student? View the International Programs English Proficiency Options and contact North's International Programs Office.

Are you an English language learner looking for ESL classes? Learn how to get started in ESL classes at North. Questions? Contact the Basic & Transitional Studies office at (206) 934-4720 or BTS@seattlecolleges.edu   

What placement options do I have?

Under the Washington State Placement Reciprocity Agreement, North Seattle College will accept your English and Math placement scores from other Washington State community and technical colleges to use for comparable class placement at North.

Course placement recommendations and placement tests must have been determined within the previous year and are valid for 12 months from the date you received your original placement results.

Submit Placement Documents

Please note that no credit is awarded during placement. Unofficial college transcripts and unofficial exam scores (AP, IB, CI) are used only for class placement. To earn credit from the exam scores or college transcripts, you must submit official results or transcripts and follow steps for credit evaluation.

English and Math placement will be recorded from unofficial college transcripts and exam scores.  

  • Placement may be recorded for other subjects with a pre-requisite sequence, such as Accounting, Biology, and Chemistry, that will allow you to register for the next course in the sequence.  
  • To determine eligibility for other subjects, connect with your assigned Area of Study Advisor or Retention Specialist.

Exam for Credit Options:

Submit Placement Documents

At North Seattle College, English placement does not expire, unless specified.  

  • High School Transcript 
     

    GPA Range Needed English Placement Level 
    2.0-2.49ENGL 99/&101
    2.5-4.0ENGL&101

  • Smarter Balanced (SBAC)

    Scores Needed English Placement Level 
    2 and a minimum grade of B (3.0) or higher in statewide English senior year college readiness course ENGL&101 
    3-4 ENGL&101 

  • Bridge to College English
     

    Grade Needed English Placement Level 
    B or higher in one semester ENGL&101 

  • SAT
     

    Reading/Writing Score Needed English Placement Level 
    510 or higherENGL&101

  • ACT
     

    Reading & Writing Scores Needed English Placement Level 
    19 or higher in both Reading and English ENGL&101

  • GED: Language Arts Section from 2014 or later series
     

    Score Needed English Placement Level 
    145-164ENGL 99/&101 
    165 or higher ENGL&101 

  • Wonderlic
     

    Score NeededEnglish Placement Level
    190-295ENGL 98
    300-325 ENGL 99/&101
    330 or higher ENGL&101

  • Accuplacer
     

    Reading & Sentence Skills Scores NeededEnglish Placement Level
    86 or higher in both Reading and Sentence SkillsENGL&101

  • Next Generation Accuplacer
     

    Reading Score NeededEnglish Placement Level
    257 or higherENGL&101

  • Asset English
     

    Placement Score NeededEnglish Placement Level
    43+ Reading and 45+ WritingENGL&101

  • TOFEL IBT
     

    Scores NeededEnglish Placement LevelExpiration
    64-71 with a minimum of 15 in all sections ENGL 982 years
    64-71 with a minimum of 17 in all sectionsENGL 99/&1012 years
    72-73 with a minimum of 18 in all sections ENGL&1012 years

  • IELTS
     

    Scores Needed English Placement Level Expiration 
    5.5 with a minimum of 5.0 in all sectionsENGL 982 years
    6.0 with a minimum of 5.0 in all sectionsENGL 99/&1012 years
    6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all sectionsENGL&1012 years

Submit Placement Documents

English Directed Self-Placement Tool (English DSP)

The English Directed Self-Placement Tool (English DSP) is an alternative to standardized placement processes for English placement. It is a self-guided survey that allows you to learn more about your English course placement options at North Seattle College so that you may pick the English course level that you feel is right for you. Our English DSP is untimed and ungraded.

Students can complete the English DSP on a computer, tablet, or cell phone with a large screen. If needed, students can complete the English DSP in one of our Student Computer Labs. 

Take the English Directed Self Placement

North DSP scores will be uploaded to your ctcLink account within 2 business days. 
Need help registering for the class(es) you placed into? Learn how to register in ctcLink.

If, after 2 business days, you are still unable to register for the class(es) you placed into, please email NSCTesting@seattlecolleges.edu for assistance.