Office of Testing Services (OTS)

Click on a question to go to the response.

1. Where is the Office of Testing Services and what are the office hours?
2. What are the general requirements for taking a test?
3. What is the College Basic Skills Placement Test?
4. What is the Levels of English Proficiency Test (LOEP)?
5. What is the GED (General Educational Development) Test?
6. Can I retake the College Basic Skills Placement Test?
7. Can I take tests to earn credit for college courses?
8. How can I take a make-up test for one of my courses?
9. If I have a handicap or disability, can I receive special testing accommodations?

1.Where is the Office of Testing Services and what are the office hours?
The Bergen Community College, Office of Testing Services (OTS) offers a variety of testing services to meet the needs of BCC students and non-student residents of Bergen County. The phone number is 201-447-7203 or 7202, is located in Room S-127 in the main building.  When classes are in session, 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, plus some evenings and Saturdays. When the College is open but no classes are in session, 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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2. What are the general requirements for taking a test?
The Office of Testing Services will not administer examinations to test takers unless they provide the following:

• Valid identification. Acceptable identification is either a BCC student ID card, a driver’s license with photo, a Bergen County photo ID card.
• Two sharpened #2 pencils and a blue or black ink pen.
• BCC student I.D. #

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3. What is the College Basic Skills Placement Test?
Bergen Community College requires that all degree-seeking students and all non-degree students who reach their 11th attempted credit take a Basic Skills Placement Test in reading, writing, computation, and algebra.  The purpose of the test is to determine students' preparedness for college-level coursework in English & math.  Score ranges for placements are determined by the respective academic departments.

Who must test?

All full time and part-time students in degree or certificate programs are required to test before registering for any courses.

All full-time and part-time students who are not in degree or certificate programs but who wish to register for English or mathematics courses.

All full-time and part-time students not in degree or certificate programs who have accumulated 11 attempted credits. Attempted credits are based on all courses for which one of the following grades has been issued: A, B+, B, C+, C, D, R, E, W, AU, Q, N, or INC.

Interpreting Test Scores: Your Basic Skills Placement Test results list your starting course work in English & math.

If any English Basic Skills (EBS) courses are listed, the first pair must be taken in your first semester. For example, EBS-014/015 is the course designation for Developmental Skills I and, if assigned, must be taken in your first semester.

If you have any English Basic Skills (EBS) courses required, you will be limited in the number of credits you may take in your first semester as follows: EBS-014/015: 12 credits; EBS-023/024: 15 credits; WRT-101/EBS-031: 18 credits.

It is recommended that required basic skills math or elementary algebra courses be taken in your first semester.  Required math courses must be taken in sequence.

For example, MAT-011 first, MAT-031 or 035 second, and, depending on curriculum, MAT-045 third.

4. What is the Levels of English Proficiency Test (LOEP) ?
International students or students for whom English is not their native language may be required to take the Levels of English Proficiency Test. This test measures proficiency in reading, writing and grammar. The results of this test may place the students into the American Language Program (ALP). If you are placed into the ALP, you must complete this program before you may take any other courses. Once you have successfully completed the ALP, you must take the mathematics portion of the Basic Skills Placement Test.

Who must test?

International students on I-20 visas.

Nonnative speakers of English who have been in the United States for fewer than eight years without formal English language training.

Nonnative speakers of English who have passed the GED examination in a language other than English.

5. What is the GED (General Educational Development) Test?
BCC serves as a test center for the GED test.  Advanced registration is required. Registrants are required to:

Register in person on specific dates

Pay a $25 fee in the form of a money order payable to Treasurer - State of New Jersey.

Present two (2) valid picture identifications with signature.

Proof of birth date (Certificate of Consent to Participate must be obtained and signed by a parent or legal guardian for 16 and 17 years old and submitted at registration)

Present all test scores from previous GED tests. 

Call the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center GED Office at (201) 968-9473 ext. 272 or 239, for monthly registration and test dates.

6. Can I retake the College Basic Skills Placement Test?
Due to a variety of circumstances, students may not perform to the best of their ability on the Basic Skills Placement Test. To reassess basic skills, challenge tests are offered in English, mathematics, and algebra. Challenge tests are scheduled frequently throughout the year, and eligibility for specific challenge test varies from one subject to another. A copy of challenge test policies and procedures with a current schedule of test days may be obtained in person from the OTS, room S-127. There is no fee for these examinations.

7. Can I take tests to earn credit for college courses?

Credit-By-Examination: The OTS administers credit-by-examination for a number of college level courses. In order to receive college credit for a particular course, a student must earn a grade of C or better on specific subject examinations.

Upon successful completion of an examination, the student will pay a $15 per course credit fee for which the student will receive a grade. A CBE grade is not included in attempted credits but is included in earned credits. Also a CBE grade is not computed in a student's cumulative grade point average. Registration information and a list of available subject examinations may be obtained at the OTS, room S-127. There is a $30 fee for each examination.

Proficiency Tests: these are offered as a means of placement for a variety of college level courses. Currently, proficiency tests are available for the following courses: Introduction to Chemistry, Intermediate Algebra, and Pre-Calculus. Successful scores on Proficiency Tests allow students to register for a higher level course within the same discipline sequence. However, a successful proficiency test carries no course credit.

Students who have placed out of, successfully challenged, or passed Elementary Algebra may take a test for Intermediate Algebra, or Pre-Calculus. Proficiency Test registration forms can be obtained from the Office of Testing Services, room S-127. There is a $30 fee for each proficiency test taken.

8.  How can I take a make-up test for one of my courses?
The Office of Testing Services administers make-up tests as a service for students who have missed a scheduled classroom examination. Students must make arrangements with their course instructors to take these examinations under specific conditions in the OTS during regular office hours.

Testing for On-Line/Telecourses Courses: The OTS administers examination to students who are enrolled in on-line or telecourses originating at Bergen Community College or at other institutions.

Faculty should contact the OTS at (201) 447-7203 for information on testing procedures. Students may take their required examinations during posted testing office hours and must follow all policies & procedures of OTS .

9. If I have a handicap or disability, can I receive special testing accommodations?
The OTS provides special accommodation testing for students who are referred from the Office of Specialized Academic Support Services. In order to receive special test accommodations, such as extended time or the services of a reader/scribe, students must first contact the Office of Specialized Services in S-131 at (201) 612-5270. Based upon supporting documentation, OSS will issue instructions to the OTS to provide the appropriate testing accommodations. Students may then schedule test sessions as required by their instructors.