Assessment, Placement, and Educational Planning

Assessment and Placement
placeandtest.highline.edu

Most applicants who are new to college need a skills assessment to get placement into specific courses. The goal of placement is to assess and educate students about academic expectations of college courses, so they are able to effectively engage with course content, and have the best chances of being successful in their studies. The placement process helps students choose courses that best match skills, abilities, and previous experience. Highline College uses a variety of measures to determine the most appropriate placement for students:  High school transcripts, Directed Self Placement, SBAC, SAT/ACT, and MyMathTest to name a few.  

For students who need to take MyMathTest or Accuplacer, they are encouraged to prepare.  Students can save money and time by refreshing their academic skills so that they do not register for courses with material previously learned.  Find preparation options and materials at placeandtest.highline.edu/prepare  There are no fees for placement tests at Highline College.  Please bring a photo ID to the Placement and Testing Center in building 1; no appointment is necessary.

Students with disabilities should contact Access Services at (206) 592-3857, if they will be requesting accommodations for placement testing. Access Services is located in Building 25.

Students who have attended a college or university prior to enrolling at Highline may be exempt from taking placement tests. The Educational Planning and Advising Center will provide individual evaluations for students who are uncertain about their need for assessment. Students should bring their college transcripts to the center or e-mail advising@highline.edu. Students with transfer credits from a college or university should have the classes evaluated for transfer credit.

Most applicants who are new to college need a skills assessment to get placement into specific courses. The goal of placement is to assess and educate students about academic expectations of college courses, so they are able to effectively engage with course content, and have the best chances of being successful in their studies.  The placement process helps students choose courses that best match skills, abilities, and previous experience. Highline College uses a variety of measures to determine the most appropriate course placement for students:  High school transcripts, GED, SBAC, and SAT/ACT, to name a few.  Bring your HS transcript, GED, SAT/ACT scores, or previous college transcripts to the Entry Advising department in Building 6. Learn more about placement measures. If none of these measures work for you, you will take one of Highline’s placement tests- WAMAP, Directed Self Placement, or Accuplacer.

For students who need to take WAMAP or Accuplacer, they are encouraged to prepare.  Students can save money and time by refreshing their academic skills so that they do not register for courses with material previously learned.  Find preparation options and materials at placeandtest.highline.edu/prepare  There are no fees for placement tests at Highline College.  For more information about placement, visit the  Entry Advising department in Building 6; no appointment is necessary.

Students with disabilities should contact Access Services at (206) 592-3857, if they will be requesting accommodations for placement testing. Access Services is located in Building 25.

If you are transferring credits from another college, or have an accredited degree from another country, submit your official transcripts and request an evaluation from Registration & Records.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is the process for awarding credit for learning that has taken place away from the college classroom.

Academic Advising is an important part of the student’s educational experience, with key checkpoints to ensure students are taking classes that match their academic and career goals, and are connected with critical resources and services to support their success. Advisors are dispersed widely across the college and available to support students throughout their time at Highline. 

When getting started, students should meet with an Entry Advisor for help through the enrollment process and to determine course placement. After attending Explore Highline! Orientation, students are connected with an Academic Pathway Advisor to plan courses for their first couple of quarters. It is recommended that students meet with an Academic Pathway Advisor at least once during the first or second term in order to plan class schedules and discuss educational and career goals. Advisors can help students understand program prerequisites, locate campus resources, understand Highline policies, and connect to university transfer information. Advisors can provide valuable information and guidance, but ultimately each student is responsible for knowing Highline’s degree and college transfer requirements.

After students have earned 30 credits and confirmed their educational goals, Faculty Advisors assist students by providing guidance in a particular program of study/degree. Some degree programs encourage students to connect with a Faculty Advisor before 30 credits for more specific educational planning from the beginning of their academic career. 

Prior to graduating, students are encouraged to prepare for transfer or to enter a career field by participating in career development events and/or transfer fairs and workshops. Transfer students should connect with 4-year university representatives, and confirm with an advisor that appropriate prerequisites, university requirements, and Highline College certificate or degree requirements have been met. The Career and Transfer Services Center in the lower level of Building 6 is the hub for information and support in exploring career and transfer options.