The Virginia Placement Test is not required of most entering students.
Virginia Western is currently using alternative methods for determining placement for applicants.
If you are a prospective high school/home school dual enrollment student with questions about placement, please contact your school counseling office or the Virginia Western Dual Enrollment Office (540-857-7313).
If you are a prospective applicant who will have completed high school or earned your GED prior to beginning your program of study, a Virginia Western Enrollment Navigator will contact you after you submit your application to discuss Direct Enrollment.
Placement testing is required of some students before beginning classes at Virginia Western. All students who are entering a program of study or enrolling in any courses requiring a mathematics or English prerequisite (Description of Courses) may need to take the Virginia Placement Test (VPT). This may include transfer students who do not have credit in mathematics or English.
Students must submit their applications for admission to Virginia Western before taking the placement tests. Placement testing must be completed prior to meeting with an academic adviser to establish a course schedule.
Students can retake the placement test one time within 12 months of their initial attempt.
Click here for more information about the Virginia Placement Test and how to prepare for it.
Placement Test Requirements and Exemptions
Please refer to the links below for information about Placement Test requirements and exemptions for Placement Testing.
General Admissions Policy (I-12)
Placement Testing Policy (I-7)
Taking the Virginia Placement Test at Virginia Western
- Placement tests are given in the Testing Center located on the ground floor of Brown Library. Hours of operation are listed to the right.
- Placement tests are not timed but it will generally take between 3 and 4 hours to take both tests.
- No appointment is necessary to take a placement test.
- You will need a picture ID and your student identification number (received once you submit an application to VWCC).
- There is no fee for placement testing.
- Any student who is retesting will need to present a testing slip from Advising.
- Please do not bring children with you to the Testing Center.
Please feel free to call the Testing Center with questions: 540-857-7250
Placement Testing Policies
- You may not have any personal belongings with you while you are testing. All electronic devices should be turned off and stored away.
- No outside resources, papers, books, electronic or computer/web-based resources of any kind can be used during the test.
- A lock down browser that will not allow you to access anything other than the test will be used.
Placement Test Results
- After completing the placement test, students will be given a copy of their score reports to take to their academic advisor or counselor for further discussion.
- Placement test scores are valid for 5 years.
- One retest is allowed within 12 months of the initial attempt of the Virginia Placement Test.
- Once a student has enrolled in a developmental course in English or math, retaking the placement test in that subject is not permitted. The result of the developmental course will determine the student’s future course sequence.
Hours
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Tests will not be given out in the Testing Center within 30 min of closing.
The library is closed whenever the college is closed for holidays or inclement weather.
Contact Us
Brown Library – Ground Floor
540-857-7250
Fax: 540-857-6138
testingcenter@virginiawestern.edu
Mailing Address:
3095 Colonial Ave., SW
Roanoke, VA 24015