Placement Testing

Welcome to MassBay’s Placement Testing page! You will find useful information regarding what placement testing is and how you can prepare for your testing day. Placement Testing is the first step in the SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising and Registration) process.

Please contact us in the Academic Achievement Center if you have additional questions or concerns. You can email us at aac@massbay.edu or call us at (781) 239-2632.

All new students to MassBay seeking a degree or certificate are required by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education to complete placement testing and attend a new student orientation soon after being accepted to the college. Placement tests are used to determine the levels of math and English for which you will begin your academic career. MassBay administers a three part exam to all native English speakers; they include Writing, Reading Comprehension and mathematics. The test will take approximately three (3) hours to complete.

Students who are non-native English speakers should discuss taking the English as a Second Language (ESL) exam. This test is best suited for students who are English language learners. The ESL test consists of three (3) sections: Writing, Structure (grammar) and Listening and will take approximately 2 ½ hours to complete. If you are a non-Native English speaker, have been living in the United States for less than 10 years, or uncomfortable with writing in the English language, it is recommended that you complete the English as a Second Language (ESL) placement test.

If you have already taken college-level courses in English and/or mathematics you may be exempt from having to take a placement test. MassBay requires official transcripts to waive part of or all of the placement exams. You will have an opportunity to discuss transfer credit with an advisor through the Advising Center when you arrive for your placement exam.

More information about transfer credit.

Register now to take the Placement Test     

If you have any questions check out the following links:

Placement Test FAQ's
Placement Test Sample Questions  

Once you have completed placement testing or submitted transfer credits, visit the Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) website for your next step.