Common Placement Exams Available at PHSC

The following tests are are available through PHSC Testing Services.

ACCUPLACER

ACCUPLACER offers tests similar to the PERT. PHSC administers the ACCUPLACER's College Level Math subtest for placement into advanced math courses. The ACCUPLACER college-level math subtest shall be administered for placement in advanced college-level mathematics courses if students meet the requirements found on the current Student Testing and Placement Chart.

PERT

The Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT), is the official common placement exam of Pasco-Hernando State College. Students who intend to enter degree or college credit certificate programs must be tested prior to the completion of registration with the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT), which consists of tests covering reading, English, and mathematics including elementary algebra and arithmetic.

Minimum Scores

Minimum cut-off scores have been established by Florida Administrative Code 6A-10.0315. Any student falling below these minimum scores will be advised of developmental education options and shall be allowed to enroll in the developmental education option of their choice. Students should begin developmental instruction based on the placement test results prior to completing 12 credits. However, students may continue enrollment in degree-related coursework provided they maintain continuous enrollment in developmental education for each subsequent semester until coursework requirements are completed and students demonstrate satisfactory performance in degree-related coursework.

Student Testing and Placement Chart

The Student Testing and Placement Chart, a reference for course placement, identifies the minimum cut-off scores for college-level placement based on PERT, ACCUPLACER, SAT, and ACT test scores. It also identifies the placement requirements for advanced mathematics coursework. Placement scores and acceptable exams periodically change.

Students Exempt from Common Placement Testing

The following students are not required to take the common placement test and are not required to enroll in developmental education instruction. 

  1. Students who entered 9th grade in a Florida public school in the 2003-2004 school year, or any year thereafter, and earned a Florida standard public high school diploma.
  2. A student who is serving as an active duty member of any branch of the United States Armed Services.

An exempt student may opt to take the common placement test and enroll in developmental education instruction.

Exempt students will be advised on the appropriate courses for enrollment based upon available information including any of the following: high school grade point average, high school course grades in subject area, any relevant work history, military experience, participation in competitive co-curricular activities, career interests, academic program major, and additional assessment data provided by the student.

Submission of Prior Test Scores

The College will accept PERT, ACCUPLACER, SAT, and ACT test scores, provided that they are no more than two years old from the date taken, and will place students accordingly. Official test scores should be submitted to Admissions and Student Records.

Retests

Students are permitted to retake the PERT and ACCUPLACER one time (a total of two active attempts) after 24 hours. Scores are valid for two years. An assistant dean of student affairs or the director of career and testing services may approve a request for a third attempt based upon documentation of extenuating circumstances.

Students should be prepared prior to any attempt and may find study materials under the Resources tab or through the Academic Success Center on each campus. Students requesting a retest of the PERT who have already begun any developmental education course(s) can retake the PERT only upon referral by faculty on a case-by-case basis. Students who retest on the PERT and achieve scores which place them into higher level courses and who wish to withdraw from the current developmental education course which has been tested out of are responsible for completing the withdrawal by the College's published deadline dates.