Prepare for Placement Testing
General Information about the RISE Placement Tests
The Reinforced Instruction for Student Excellence (RISE) placement test consists of two sections: English and Math.
- The test is free for all GTCC applicants.
- Testing is readily available at the Jamestown Assessment Center as well as the High Point and Greensboro campuses. Testing can be accommodated at Cameron and Aviation campuses.
- The testing location will provide scratch paper, pencils, calculators, and formula sheets.
About Each Placement Test Section
There are three RISE math placement tests: Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3.
| Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Whole numbers | Concepts in Statistics | Factoring |
| Fractions and Mixed Numbers | Solving Equations & Inequalities | System of Equations & Inequalities |
| Decimals | Exponents & Polynomials | Rational Expressions |
| Ratios, Rates, and Proportions | Graphing | Radical Expressions & Quadratic Equations |
| Percent | Functions | |
| Measurement | ||
| Geometry | ||
| Real Numbers |
Students must earn a 70 on each tier test to advance to the next level. Meaning, that if a student makes a 70 or higher on Tier 1, they can move on to Tier 2. If the person earns a 70 or higher on Tier 2, they can move on to Tier 3. However, a score of 69 or lower on any tier will prevent someone from moving to the next tier test.
A student’s performance on the RISE math placement test determines placement into college-level courses with or without co-requisite support and into the MAT 003 Transition Math course. The table below indicates which math courses correspond with placement tier scores.
| RISE Placement Test and Scores | Math Placement |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 (score 69 or less) | MAT 003 |
| Tier 1 (score 70 or higher) | MAT 143 and MAT 043 MAT152 and MAT052 |
| Tier 2 (score 69 or less) | See curriculum courses for Tier 1 |
| Tier 2 (score 70 or higher) | MAT 121 and MAT 021 MAT 143 MAT 152 MAT 171 and MAT 071 |
| Tier 3 (score 69 or less) | See curriculum courses for Tier 2 |
| Tier 3 (score 70 or higher) | MAT 121 MAT 171 |
Preparing for the placement test consists of reviewing and taking practice tests. The time you spend studying the information on the placement test could save you money. Use the websites below to help prepare for the placement test or use them as a refresher on some of the concepts before taking the test.
There are two parts to the RISE English placement tests; Tier 1 and Tier 2.
Below is a list of concepts covered in each Tier.
Tier 1 Concepts:
- Introduction to College Reading and writing
- Identifying Main Ideas
- Discovering Implied Meaning
- Interpreting Bias
- Analysis through Definition
- Learning Across Disciplines
Tier 2 Concepts:
- Exploring Comparative Elements
- Informed Opinions through Causal Chains
- Applied Critical Analysis
- Using Sources in Critical Reading and Writing
Students must earn a 70 on Tier 1 to advance to the next level. Meaning, that if a student makes a 70 or higher on Tier 1, they can move on to Tier 2. However, a score of 69 or lower on Tier 1 will prevent someone from moving on to Tier 2.
A student’s performance on the RISE English placement test determines placement into college-level courses with or without co-requisite support and into the ENG 002 Transition English course. The table below indicates which English courses correspond with placement tier scores.
| RISE Placement Test and Scores | English Placement |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 (score 69 or lower) | ENG 002 |
| Tier 1 (score 70 or higher) | ENG 111 and ENG 011 |
| Tier 2 (Score 69 or lower) | See curriculum courses for Tier 1 |
| Tier 2 (Score 70 or higher | ENG 111 |
The links below will help prepare you for the English placement test or provide refresher on some of the concepts before you take your test:
English Links
Wake Tech Blackboard will require that you self-register for the mini-course. You can do that by:
- Clicking enroll, and when the login screen appears,
- Clicking on Don’t have an account? Create one now,
- Filling in the information to set up your account.