2026-2027 Catalog

Course Placement

Western Piedmont Community College uses multiple methods - such as high school grade point average, ACT and SAT scores, GED (since 2014) and HiSET exam scores, placement test scores and/or transfer course credit - to determine whether students need additional preparation before attempting college-level math and English courses as well as some courses in other disciplines. In addition, some programs have requirements that vary from those of the general college and should be explained by a counselor or Student Success Advisor. 

Contact the Director of Advising and Enrollment Management, 828-448-6031, with questions regarding placement testing or see section on Placement Testing.

Exemption to developmental coursework

 

Reinforced Instruction for Student Excellence (RISE) Placement

 

English Placement Guide

Course(s)

US HS GPA

RISE Placement Test

ENG 002 BSP 4002 (Grade)

ENG 025 ENG 8025 (Grade)

CCRG Credit

NCDAP

DRE

ACT (March 2014)

ACCUPLACER

SAT ENG (March 2016)

GED (2014 or later; score on all 4 parts)

HiSET (Score on all 5 parts)

Adult High School

ENG 025 (ENG 8025) (Pre-req)

2.199 or lower*

Tier 1: less than 70%

R, W

F, W

Tier 1: less than 80%

135 or lower or no credit

DRE 097 or no DRE credit

ENG 15 or lower OR RED 19 or lower

ENG 111: RED 200–238 and/or WRT 200–238

479 or lower

144 or lower on all tests

14 or lower on all tests AND 3 or lower on the essay

Based on overall combined GPA

ENG 111 & ENG 045 (ENG 8045) (Co-req)

2.2 – 2.799*

Tier 1: 70% or higher

P1

n/a

Tier 1: 80% or higher

136 – 150

n/a (110 w/025) DRE 097 (111 w/025)

ENG 16-17 OR RED 20 – 21

ENG 111: RED 239–249 and/or WRT 239–249

n/a

145 – 164 on all tests

n/a

Based on overall combined GPA

ENG 111 (Gateway Access)

2.8 or higher*

Tier 2: 70% or higher

P2

A, B, C

Tier 2: 80% or higher

151 or higher

DRE 097 (for 110) DRE 098 (for 111)

ENG 18 or higher OR RED 22 or higher

RED 250–300 and/or WRT 250–300

480 or higher

165 or higher on all tests

15 or higher on all tests AND 4 or higher on the essay

Based on overall combined GPA

*GPA thresholds to be made at the institutional level and must align with the approved framework.

**Students who completed the GED between 2002 and 2014 must either take a placement test or enroll in Developmental Education courses.

 

Math Placement Guide

MAT 110

Course(s)

US HS GPA

RISE Placement Test

MAT 003 (Grade) & MAT 7025 (Grade) & MAT 7035 (Grade)

CCRG Credit

NCDAP DMA

ACT Math (March 2014)

ACCUPLACER

SAT Math (March 2016)

GED (2014 or later; score on all 4 parts)

HiSET (Score on all 5 parts)

Adult High School

MAT 110 & MAT 045M (Co-req)

2.799 or lower*

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Based on
overall
combined
GPA

MAT 110

2.8 or higher*

Tier 1:
70% or
higher

P1
A, B, C

Tier 1:
80% or
higher

DMA 010-030:
7 or higher

22 or
higher

Arithmetic
249-300

530 or
higher

165 or higher
on all tests

15 or higher
AND
4 or higher on
the essay

Based on
overall
combined
GPA

MAT 143 and MAT 152

Course(s)

US HS GPA

RISE Placement Test

MAT 003 (Grade) & MAT 7025 (Grade) & MAT 7035 (Grade)

CCRG Credit

NCDAP DMA

ACT Math (March 2014)

ACCUPLACER

SAT Math (March 2016)

GED (2014 or later; score on all 4 parts)

HiSET (Score on all 5 parts)

Adult High School

MAT 025 (MAT 7025)

2.199 or lower*

Tier 1:
less than
70%

R, W

Tier 1:
less than
80%

DMA 010-030:
6 or lower

19 or
lower

MAT 143/152:
Arithmetic
200-234

529 or
lower

164 or lower

14 or lower on
all tests
AND
3 or lower on
the essay

Based on
overall
combined
GPA

MAT 143/MAT 152 & MAT 045Q/MAT 045S (Co-req)

2.2 -2.799*

Tier 1:
70% or
higher

P1

Tier 1:
80% or
higher

DMA 010-030:
7 or higher
DMA 040-050:
6 or lower

20-21

Arithmetic
235-248

n/a

145 - 164 on
all tests

n/a

Based on
overall
combined
GPA

MAT 143 or MAT 152

2.8 or higher*

Tier 2:
70% or
higher

P2
A, B, C

Tier 2:
80% or
higher

DMA 010-050:
7 or higher

22 or
higher

Arithmetic
249-300

530 or
higher

165 or
higher on all
tests

15 or higher
AND
4 or higher on
the essay

Based on
overall
combined
GPA

 

MAT 171

Course(s)

US HS GPA

RISE Placement Test

MAT 003 (Grade) & MAT 7025 (Grade) & MAT 7035 (Grade)

CCRG Credit

NCDAP DMA

ACT Math (March 2014)

ACCUPLACER

SAT Math (March 2016)

GED (2014 or later; score on all 4 parts)

HiSET (Score on all 5 parts)

Adult High School

MAT 035 (MAT 7035) (Pre-req for MAT 171)

2.199 or lower*

Tier 2:
less than
70%

R, W

Tier 2:
less than
80%

DMA 010-050:
6 or lower

19 or lower

QAS 200-233

529 or lower

164 or lower

14 or lower
AND
3 or lower

Based on
overall
combined
GPA

MAT 171 & MAT 045P (Co-req)

2.2 - 2.799*

Tier 2:
70% or
higher

P2

Tier 2:
80% or
higher

DMA 010-050:
7 or higher
DMA 060:
6 or lower

20-21

QAS 234-246

n/a

145-164

n/a

Based on
overall
combined
GPA

MAT 171

2.8 or higher*

Tier 3:
70% or
higher

P3

Tier 3:
80% or
higher

DMA 010-080:
7 or higher

22 or higher

QAS 247-300

530 or higher

165 or higher

15 or higher AND 4 or higher

Based on
overall
combined
GPA

*GPA thresholds to be made at the institutional level and must align with the approved framework.

** Students who completed the GED between 2002 and 2014 must either take a placement test or enroll in Developmental Education courses.