The College recognizes that entering students demonstrate various abilities in the basic skills of reading, writing, and mathematics. To ensure that students are placed in the appropriate courses, all new students must take the Basic Skills Placement Test. Students entering the English as a Second Language program must take the ESL Placement Test. Students are invited to take the test after they apply. There is no fee for these tests. Results of the test are available prior to registration. An adviser explains the test scores and assists students in registering for appropriate courses. Transfer students who have 30 or more college-level credits are exempt from placement testing once an official transcript is received.

Students accepted into the College who do not achieve college-level placement should not feel discouraged. PCCC accepts students at their own particular level and provides the remediation and support services necessary to help them achieve success in reaching their goals.