Central Piedmont administers the Reinforced Instruction for Student Excellence (RISE) placement test.
You have the option to do the placement either in-person or with a remote proctor via Webex. You can tell us how you'd prefer to take the test when you schedule your test; learn more in the "Steps to Schedule and Take Your Placement Test" section.
The RISE test consists of five different tier levels.
If you have a documented disability or received academic accommodations in high school or at another college/university, please visit Disability and Access Services prior to taking your placement test. Disability and Access Services will discuss services available process approval for accommodations. Contact Disability and Access Services at 704.330.6621 or email disability.counselingservices@cpcc.edu if you have questions.
You will likely be placed into courses based on your high school GPA. You do not need to take the placement test — and may request a waiver — if you meet any of the following criteria. If you do not meet any of the following waiver criteria, schedule your placement testing appointment.
| Test | Minimum Score to Waive English Sections | Minimum Math Score to Waive Math Sections |
|---|---|---|
| SAT taken March 2016–present |
480 on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing |
530 |
| SAT taken prior to March 2016 |
500 on Critical Reading or Writing |
500 |
| ACT taken Sept. 2013–present | 22 on Reading or 18 on English | 22 |
|
20–21 on Reading or 16–17 on English (will be required to take co-requisite course when enroll) |
20–21 (will be required to take co-requisite course when enroll) | |
| ACT taken prior to Sept. 2013 |
21 on Reading or 18 on English |
If you qualify for a waiver, contact Student Records, Counseling, Academic Advising, the Transfer Resource Center, or a student success navigator. You will need to provide all appropriate documentation with your request.
| Waiver Method | Documentation to Submit (Must be Official) |
|---|---|
| Graduation from U.S. high school within past 10 years | high school transcript (no older than 10 years) |
| Associate degree or higher | college-issued transcript |
| GED® test scores | GED transcript (no older than 2014) |
| HiSET® scores | HiSET transcript (no older than 2014) |
| SAT or ACT scores | SAT or ACT scores (no older than 10 years) |
| You are seeking special credit or are not seeking a degree | approval by campus registrar, counselor, advisor, or student success navigator |
| Completion of a college-level math and/or English course | college-issued transcript |
| Completion of developmental-level courses in English and/or math from another NC community college | college-issued transcript |
| AP, IB, CLEP®, or NC DAP (DMA and DRE) placement test scores | test scores of no older than 10 years; scores previously received remain valid |
If you have taken the NC DAP placement test (DRE and DMA) or the ACCUPLACER College-Level Math placement test at another school within the last 10 years, have an official copy of your scores mailed, emailed, or faxed to the Central Piedmont Testing Center:
Scores must be sent from the educational institution where test was taken. Please do not fax or mail scores yourself. We cannot accept unofficial scores.
Please read and complete each of the following steps to schedule and take your placement test.
If you need to take the placement test, you must create a testing account prior to your testing appointment. Go to cpcctesting.edready.org to create an account. Use your Central Piedmont student email to create your account.
Prepare for the placement test by doing a placement test or reviewing the other following resources. If you need access to a computer, Central Piedmont has open labs for students.
If you need to take the placement test and have already created your Central Piedmont EdReady account, schedule your placement test.
If you are unable to take the RISE placement test at a Central Piedmont campus, you may arrange to take the test remotely by completing the following steps. You are responsible for any fees for remote testing (if any).
You can access your placement test scores by logging in to MyCollege with your Central Piedmont login. If you have any questions, please contact the testing center.
You can have an official copy of your placement test scores sent to another educational institution by downloading and completing the placement test release form (PDF). Mail the completed form to the following address:
Central Piedmont Community College
Attn: Testing and Assessment Center, Parr Center, Suite 2000
P.O. Box 35009
Charlotte, NC 28235
You may also email testingcenter@cpcc.edu, fax 704.330.6620, or deliver your request in person to the Central Piedmont Central Campus Testing Center.