CPT Policies, Procedures, & Tips

The placement test measures reading, English and math skills, thereby providing course recommendations to begin a successful academic journey. This test is required of all students planning to register for a course which has a reading, English or math prerequisite and is good for three years. Students are strongly encouraged to take the placement test prior to advising and enrollment the first quarter. Transfer students will need to test if they do not have English and math courses completed on their transfer transcript.

The Counseling Center conducts computerized placement testing on a drop in basis. Call 360-538-4099 for drop-in hours.

Placement Testing Fee
Beginning January 9th 2012 Grays Harbor College will be charging $10.00 for the College Placement Test. If you take part of the CPT the charge will be $5.00 per section. Retakes will be $5.00 per section with a maximum of $10.00. Please call 360-538-4049 if you need more information.

Policies and Procedures

• You must bring a photo ID with you.
• The test is untimed but may take you approximately 1 1/2 hours to complete.
• Your scores are confidential and will be used by Grays Harbor College for advising and placement purposes only.
• You may not use calculators, dictionaries, notebooks or other papers except scrap paper provided by the testing center.
  
• The CPT uses adaptive techniques. This means the greater your demonstrated skill, the more challenging the questions presented to you will be.
  
• The CPT is computerized, but you need no previous experience with computers- it's simple to use!
  
• You can take the test up to three times between July 1st and June 30th each school year.

Tips on Taking the CPT

• No time limit: Since there is no time limit on this test, take your time!
   
• Rest: Be sure to get enough sleep the night before the test.
  
  
• Eating: It is wise to not take the test immediately after you’ve had a full meal. Similarly, do not take the test on an empty stomach.
  
  
• Relax: If you find yourself getting too stressed during the exam, take a short break and do things to relax like: sitting back in your chair and closing your eyes, breathing slowly in and out, stretching your arm and leg muscles, etc.
  
  
• Time of day: You can take the CPT in the morning, early afternoon, or late afternoon. You have to determine which time is best for you- physically, mentally and emotionally. For example, taking the test immediately after you have worked 8 hours may not be a good idea.
  
  
• You cannot go back and check your answers: The tests are administered on a computer. You will have two chances to confirm each answer before pressing the enter key. Therefore, and especially since there is no time limit to the CPT, take your time on each answer to avoid accidentally striking the wrong key.
   
• Re-Testing: It might be necessary to re-test portions of the exam. If so, you do not need to re-take those portions in which you scored at a college level.
   
• Re-Testing Too Soon: Our experience has shown that students who wait at least two or more weeks before re-testing have much better results than those who re-test within a few days of the initial test.

For more information, please read the "CPT Information & Study Guide" and contact the Counseling Center at: (360) 538-4099 or e-mail counseling@ghc.edu

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Grays Harbor College
Counseling and Advising
Hillier Union Building
Aberdeen, WA 98520

(360) 538-4099, 1-800-562-4830, TDD/YYD (360) 538-4223
e-mail: counseling@ghc.edu

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