TCC Campus

Recent High School Graduates

Class Placement

Explore placement options below. If you're unsure about your skills, use the Directed Self-Placement (DSP) Surveys to preview the levels of work you'll encounter in classes. Directed Self-Placement is for English and Math and accessible online, free, and available 24/7.

TCC Course Placement

Cambridge International (CI) scores (pdf) - The chart represents course equivalencies awarded for each Cambridge International (CI) exam score and recognized by all community and technical colleges in Washington.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Test Scores (pdf) – This chart represents course equivalencies awarded to each International Baccalaureate (IB) exam score.
- All community and technical colleges in Washington recognize these score equivalencies.
- Colleges may award additional credits based on local policies, when appropriate, but should not award course equivalency credit for scores lower than those listed in this table.
- Students interested in transferring to a four-year university should check the requirements of their target school to determine the best way to use their IB exam credits.
Smarter Balance Scores: Agreement on the use of the Smarter Balanced 11th grade career and college readiness assessment for placement in Washington community and technical colleges.

Types of Placement Surveys

English Placement:

Transcripts from any accredited high school in the U.S. can be used for placement into English courses.
A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required.

Math Placement (Washington High Schools Only):

Must be two (2) or less years old.
Completion of the Math Directed Self-Placement is required before requesting math placement based on high school classes.

Demonstrate Academic Readiness

Student’s with ACT/SAT, Smarter Balance Assessment scores, GED or assessments from other Washington Community Colleges are encouraged to complete the Directed Self-Placement Surveys. Certain courses at Tacoma Community College require the successful completion of prerequisite coursework prior to registration. If students have earned prior college credits, Tacoma Community College (TCC) may accept these for placement purposes through the unofficial transcripts process. Placement uses classes that fulfill prerequisites for class registration. Students must submit official transcripts to receive credit for prior college course work. Instructions for submitting official transcripts can be found here.

- Students should complete the Directed Self-Placement surveys for accurate course placement.
- Washington State High School Chemistry Grade of “B” or higher and taken for a full school year.
- Students who have earned prior college credts should submit unofficial college transcripts:
  - Placement uses previous coursework to fulfill prerequisites for class registration.
  - Students must submit official transcripts to receive credit for prior college course work. Instructions for submitting official transcripts can be found here.
- TCC may accept unofficial college transcript with grades of “C” or higher in English and Math and Sciences.
- English Department Allows students who graduated from a U.S. high school within the last 10 years with an overall (cumulative) unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher to place into English&101. Please complete the Directed Self Placement to learn about the levels and support for English & 101.
Contact Running Start

Washington State Running Start students can only use their high school grades for placement. Homeschool students and students with out-of-state high school transcripts should contact the Running Start department for placement instructions.

Running Start students cannot use the math DSP and must use high school course completion on transcripts.
- Running Start students cannot use the math Directed Self Placements (DSP) unless you are enrolling into the following levels; MATH 95, MATH 107, MATH 131/132, MATH 141, MATH 146, or MATH 147, and Science Classes.
- Students trying to place into; MATH 142, MATH 148, MATH 151, and higher.
  - Must show completion of the prerequisite courses, or appropriate IB or AP scores. Course Catalog
- If you request a higher level math class, please contact your Running Start advisor.
All Washington state community and technical colleges award credit for students who achieve certain scores on the Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge International (CI) exams. Information on how to send your AP, IB, or CI scores to TCC and how credits are granted, here. More information and crosswalks for awarding credit for AP, IB, CI on the state board of community and technical college website here.

AP:
- TCC awards credits based on AP exam scores as outlined in the AP credit chart.
- Official scores must be sent directly to TCC from the College Board.
IB:
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Test Scores (pdf) – This chart represents course equivalencies awarded to each International Baccalaureate (IB) exam score.
- Colleges may award additional credits based on local policies, when appropriate, but should not award course equivalency credit for scores lower than those listed in this table.
- Students interested in transferring to a four-year university should check the requirements of their target school to determine the best way to use their IB exam credits.
- Course equivalencies are awarded for IB exam scores according to the IB credit chart.
- Scores below the listed thresholds are not eligible for credit.
- Additional credits may be awarded based on local policies.
CI:
- CI Scores Crosswalk for awarding credit for Cambridge International tests (PDF)
- TCC awards course equivalencies for CI exam scores as outlined in the CI credit chart.
English scores must be from the last 10 years. Math score must be from the last 2 years.

ACT:

ENGL& 101: 19+
MATH: 23+

SAT Scores:
- Reading score of 470 or higher for ENGL 101.
- Math score of 550 or above for MATH 107, 146, 147, 131, 132, 93/136, or 96/140.
- Scores valid for two years after high school graduation.
Students should use the Directed Self Placements Surveys for accurate course placement.

Score Level 4
- Math: Any entry-level course through pre-calculus I.
- English: Any entry-level college English course (e.g., English Composition).
Score Level 3:
- Math: Terminal math course not on the calculus pathway, or calculus pathway contingent on a B or better in a senior-year calculus pathway class.
- English: Any entry-level college English course.
Score Level 2:
- Math: Terminal math course not on the calculus pathway, contingent on a B or better in a statewide math college readiness/transition course or additional institutional review (e.g., transcript, GPA, testing).
- English: Entry-level English course contingent on a B or better in a statewide senior-year English college readiness/transition course or additional institutional review.
Score Level 1:
- Placement determined by institutional review (e.g., transcript, GPA, testing) for all entry-level courses.
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Contact us!

Please email Placement Services with additional questions or concerns.