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Placement
Three Pieces of Placement
You may need one or all of these
Placement Testing
Placement tests determine what level you'll start at in some subjects.
Prerequisite Waivers
You may be able to skip course prerequisites based on past learning.
Transfer Credit
You may be able to receive credits based on past learning & experience.
Here's how:
- I want to find my starting point.
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Find out if you're exempt from the Placement Tests.
Placement tests determine what level you can start your coursework at in specific subjects. Most incoming students have to take the Math, Reading, and Writing tests; some students must take Chemistry; students who are non-native English speakers must take the AESL placement test.
In some cases, however, you can skip the placement tests. Check the More Details section below to see if you can skip the tests. If not, you will need to take them after you apply for admission, and before you can register for classes.
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- I want to take the placement tests.
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Take the placement tests, if you aren't exempt.
Your scores will determine what level you can start your coursework at for Math, Chemistry, Reading, Writing, and English as a Second Language. Placement tests are available on a walk-in basis. View testing schedule.
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Get your results.
You will receive a postcard when your scores are ready. You can log in to see them. When you are ready to register, your placement will be accounted for automatically in the system.
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- I want to skip the placement tests.
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Find out if you are exempt.
Check the More Details section below to see if you might be eligible for placement testing waivers.
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Send us your transcripts.
If you are exempt due to your high school GPA, have your official high school transcript sent to the Registrar's Office.
If you are exempt due to previous college-level coursework, send either your unofficial or official college transcript to the Registrar's Office. Unofficial college transcripts may also be emailed to waivers@bucks.edu.
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- I have taken the prerequisites at another school.
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Send us your transcripts:
Unofficial college transcripts and unofficial AP College Board scores may be emailed to waivers@bucks.edu. In the email, please include: your first and last name; Bucks Student ID# or Date of Birth; and list the specific Bucks course(s) that you wish to take.
If you already have a transcript on file, log in to submit a Prerequisite Course Waiver.
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- I want to get credit for prior courses.
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Send us your official transcripts:
- If you have prior graded coursework at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution, send official transcripts to the Registrar's Office.
- If you have prior graded coursework at a foreign institution, submit your transcripts to an approved evaluator. Once they are approved, you can submit them to Bucks for review.
- If you have taken AP exams, have the College Board send your scores to us.
- If you have prior coursework at a post-secondary institution that does not provide letter grades and GPA, or have earned educational credentials via military service and coursework, apply for the Prior Learning Assessment program for credit evaluation.
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Request transcript evaluation.
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Get your results.
You will receive an email, sent to your Bucks student email account, once your evaluation is complete
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- I want to get credit for experience.
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Apply for the Prior Learning Assessment program.
If you have life or work experience that is equivalent to college-level learning and that matches a particular course in your planned Bucks Program of Study, you can take part in the Prior Learning Assessment program to receive credits for that experience.
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More Details
Here are more details about each step of the process.
Placement tests
You may need to take placement tests. These tests will help sort out what level of study you should begin at for Mathematics, Chemistry, Reading, Writing, and American English as a Second Language (AESL) if needed.
If testing accommodations are necessary as a result of a physical or learning disability, please contact The Accessibility Office (TAO) prior to testing at 215-968-8463 (V/TDD). Use this link to access The Accessibility Offie (TAO) webpage: www.bucks.edu/accessibility.
Do I have to take Placement Tests?
Placement Testing Required
- All applicants and re-applicants
Whether applying for full-time or part-time status, unless you are in an exempt class, you will need to take placement tests.
- Foreign college students
Applicants with a degree or coursework from a foreign country's college or university need to take placement exams to align existing learning with the Bucks curriculum.
- First-time Math and Chemistry students
All students planning to enroll in their first college math course must take the Math Placement Test prior to registering for the class. All students planning to enroll in Chemistry 121 (Chemistry I) must take the Chemistry Placement Test prior to the beginning of class. No waivers will be given.
- Current High School Students
Students in the High School Enrichment Program must take the Reading, Writing and Math Placement Tests before you may register for any course unless you are in an exempt class. For more details about the high school enrichment program, please review High School Enrichment Program Information.
- Summer Study
Students taking summer courses for transfer to another institution do not need to take Placement Tests unless the course(s) they will be taking require a Placement Test score as a prerequisite. See course descriptions for prerequisite information. However, all of the above policies will be in effect if you plan to enroll for future Fall or Spring semesters.
Exempt from Placement Testing
- Graduating Soon or Recent Graduates: 3.0 GPA or Higher
Recent graduates who earn at least a 3.0 GPA in high school may be eligible for exemption from placement testing. If you will graduate from high school this year, or graduated within the last 5 years, and meet the GPA standard of 3.0 or higher, have your high school send an official transcript to the Registrar's Office.
- Current High School Students: GPA Requirements
If you are a high school junior with a 3.25 GPA or higher or a high school senior with a 3.0 GPA or higher, you may be eligible for exemption from placement testing. If you meet this standard, have your high school send an official transcript to the Registrar's Office.
- Previous Success in College-Level Courses
Students with previous college-level coursework, earned at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, should submit a transcript, official or unofficial, from that institution for consideration of Placement Testing Waivers.
- Senior Citizens
Students 65 years of age or older are exempt from Placement Testing. However, they must take any Placement Test required as a prerequisite for a course in which they are planning to enroll.
- Summer study
Placement tests are not required for summer enrollment unless the course requires any/all placement tests as a prerequisite. See the Bucks Catalog listing of course descriptions for prerequisite. For more information about Guest Students visit admissions.
** Information for prerequisite approval via transcripts from another college for guest and transfer students are posted on the Admissions and Registrar Page
**If you have any further questions please contact the Registrar's Office directly at 215-968-8100 or waivers@bucks.edu
Getting Credits
Credit for Prior Coursework
Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement (AP) courses completed in high school may be evaluated for potential "transfer" credit. Students seeking this type of credit must submit an official copy of their AP scores to the attention of Admissions; scores must be sent directly from the College Board to Bucks to be considered official.
College Transcripts
If you have taken coursework at a college in the U.S., you can submit transcripts in order to receive course credit and/or waive course prerequisites that you have already fulfilled elsewhere. Upon receipt of a Transcript Evaluation Request, we will evaluate parallel work completed at accredited post-secondary institutions for potential transfer credit.
Credit for Life Experience & Professional Credit
The Prior Learning Assessment Program
The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Program can help you attain equivalent credit for the college level learning you have achieved outside the traditional college classroom, including during military service. PLA can save you time and money because you may not be required to take courses for the material you have already learned. Follow the steps here before registering for classes.