Academic Preparation

To prepare students for success, the College provides students with opportunities to develop any academic skills that may be needed before enrolling in certain credit-level courses. Credit courses have college readiness prerequisites that are fulfilled by academic preparation courses in reading and writing, mathematics, or English (for Academic Purposes (EAP)). This chapter describes the various academic preparation courses at the college and their placement policies.

College Readiness

All incoming students must satisfy readiness prerequisites for credit-level classes in three different categories: reading, English, and mathematics. The catalog’s course descriptions will list which readiness prerequisite students must satisfy, if any. Students may show proof of readiness through multiple measures, which include but are not limited to the following:

For the purposes of English placement, Reading Readiness is defined as: 

• Qualifying placement test scores (Accuplacer Reading 254 or above) or alternative placement measures will directly satisfy reading readiness.
• Completing the corequisite English courses (EGL-1010S  and EGL-0100S ) will satisfy reading readiness.
• Completing EAP-1100  will satisfy reading readiness for ESL students.

English Readiness is satisfied in three ways 

• ​Qualifying placement test scores or alternative placement measures that grant access into EGL 1010 will directly satisfy English readiness
• Completing the corequisite English courses (EGL 1010S and 0100S) will satisfy English readiness.
• Completing both EAP-1000  and EAP-1100  will satisfy English readiness for ESL students.

Mathematics Readiness is satisfied in two ways 

• Qualifying placement test scores or alternative placement measures which grant access into an appropriate 1000-level MAT course for your specific major, program, or pathway will satisfy mathematics readiness. 
• Depending on your major, program, or pathway, mathematics readiness may be satisfied after completing after completing a pair of appropriate corequisite courses.

Without meeting the college’s measures of readiness, students will have to complete academic preparation courses to earn the readiness prerequisite needed for their desired credit courses. Further explanations of each measure of readiness are below.

Placement Testing

Placement tests are often required to demonstrate a student’s readiness in academic skills necessary for college success. The scores on these tests determine the initial courses in which students are allowed to enroll. As such, it is important that students prepare for these tests and take them seriously.

Tests are reviewed periodically and are subject to change or revision at any time. Students may take one or more of the placement test offered below. 

• The ACCUPLACER placement tests are computer-based, with multiple choice and essay sections.
  • The Reading section is multiple-choice and measures reading readiness.
  • The WritePlacer section is a single, untimed essay question, which measures English and Writing readiness.
  • The “Arithmetic”, “Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS)”, and “Advanced Algebra and Functions (AAF)” sections evaluate mathematics readiness. These students may take one or two of these sections, depending on their academic program.
• The ALEKS Placement, Preparation, and Learning test (ALEKS-PPL) is an adaptive, free-response math placement test, with an emphasis on replicating the pen-to-paper experience. It evaluates overall mathematics proficiency in a single test with a single score.
• The College’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) placement test is intended for new students who are non-native English speakers. This test includes grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and a writing sample (short essay).

Scores from the ALEKS-PPL, ACCUPLACER, and EAP tests are used to determine college readiness in mathematics, reading, writing, and EAP. Placement may be determined by a combination of test scores and other measures and is targeted to an individual student’s academic pathway. If students are permitted to take a placement test more than once, the highest score will be used. Placement tests can only be taken before enrolling in a preparatory course or sequence. Students whose EAP test scores do not place them into EAP-0100 will be referred to Transition ESL or Adult Basic Education. For more information about these programs, see About WDCE.

For more information, please visit the Testing Center page: https://www.pgcc.edu/student-life-support-services/support-services/testing-center/

Alternative Placement Measures

PGCC has alternative placement measures, which can exempt students from all or part of the placement tests and academic preparation courses.Please check the testing center website for more detailed information and additional placement measures.

• Students with high SAT, ACT, or GED scores may have all or part of the placement tests waived. The minimum scores for waivers are on the Testing Center website. Students must send official SAT, ACT, or GED score reports to the Testing Center, so that scores can be posted to their records. The College can only accept standardized test scores up to 5 years old. Please do not submit scores from tests taken more than 5 years ago.
• Students who completed all four years and graduated from a U.S. high school within the past five years with a cumulative GPA of 2.6 or higher are exempt from academic preparation courses and placement testing. Contact the Office of Records and Registration or Student Academic Planning and Career Readiness for details.
• Students transferring from other institutions may be exempt from all or part of the placement tests. Students must request an official evaluation of previous college work from the Office of Records and Registration prior to registration, and the evaluation results will determine a student’s exemptions.
• Students who hold degrees from other United States colleges or universities are exempt from all academic preparation courses and placement testing requirements. Students with prior degrees must follow the same steps as transfer students.

Exemptions and waivers do not guarantee enrollment into all courses. Upper-level credit courses may require either placement test scores or successful completion of course prerequisites for enrollment. See an advisor for more information.

Academic Preparation Course Sequences

Students who successfully progress through the academic preparation sequence earn equivalent hours (EH) rather than credit hours. The EH is the College’s method for documenting completion of these preparation courses. Grades in these courses will affect financial aid eligibility but will not be counted toward graduation. EHs permit the accumulation, updating, and transfer of student’s academic records.

Other Considerations

Academic preparation courses may be available in several different formats. These formats include full-term (15-week courses) and condensed courses taught in 5 weeks, 7 weeks, and 10-weeks, , one-day-a-week, and online and hybrid formats. Selecting the right format is important as not all formats are right for every student. Summer classes are usually offered in a five-week format, meeting four days per week. Students who can concentrate on their academic workload with minimal job responsibilities tend to do well in this format. Students should expect to spend significant time on homework each day the class meets.

Many course sections are -15 weeks. These formats usually meet twice or more per week. This allows students a maximum amount of time to process the content and complete assignments. These formats are appropriate for most students, providing that they select a section appropriate for their work/life schedule.
Five-week, seven-week, and 10-week classes are condensed and intensive. Classes in these formats usually meet for more time per session or more days per week. This requires students to grasp content quickly. Students who have received a B or higher in prerequisite courses or students with a strong academic background should consider this format.

Classes that meet once a week and online or hybrid classes require students to be self-directed learners and schedule frequent study time between class meetings. Adherence to deadlines and proficiency with computers are critical to success in these course formats.

For all courses in the academic preparation sequences, starting with solid time management will build a firm foundation for success in college-level courses.

The Corequisite Academic Preparation Courses for English

All students who do not place directly into EGL-1010 (through placement testing or other alternative measures) take corequisite English. Corequisite English consists of two paired classes, EGL-1010S (equivalent to EGL-1010) and EGL-0100S. The corequisite course pairing offers several benefits to students. First, corequisite English allows students to enroll in credit-bearing English (EGL-1010S) even as they receive additional assistance in the support course (EGL-0100S). In addition, students have the same instructor for both EGL- 1010S and EGL- 0100S, and sections of 0100S are limited to approximately 10 students. The small class size and consistent instructor allow for individualized instruction and an enhanced EGL- 1010 experience for corequisite students. 

Each corequisite student takes EGL-1010S with 9 other corequisite students and 10 students who placed directly into EGL- 1010. Immediately following the EGL-1010 class session, corequisite students meet for another class period (EGL-0100S) with the 9 other corequisite students and the same instructor they have for EGL-1010. Students receive a grade for each both EGL-1010S and EGL-0100S. 

Placement and Courses

All students with Accuplacer scores below the requirements for EGL-1010 will place into corequisite English.

(Please note that Accuplacer scores are valid for 2 years from testing date)

*EGL-0100S is the corequisite support course, which is paired with a credit-level EGL-1010S course. See above for more details.

Important: Students who test into corequisite English must enroll in these courses within their first 15 billable credits at the College.

Attendance Requirements

Students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled class meetings. Poor attendance may significantly impact the overall grade in the course.

Possible Grades and When Students Need to Repeat a Course

Content mastery is important for student success. Students must earn a grade of C (70%) or higher to advance to the next course.

Department Contact Information

For more information on the EGL sequence, contact the department chair or academic dean.

Academic Preparation Courses for Mathematics

The College’s academic preparation courses for mathematics also use a corequisite model, which consists of two paired classes that prepare students for success in college-level mathematics courses for their academic and career pathway. The courses develop the basic quantitative and problem-solving skills necessary for mathematics at the college level. These skills include basic arithmetic operations, algebra skills including expressions, functions, and the solution of equations, and applications.

The following table indicates course placement based on test scores.

Math Placement and Academic Preparation Courses

(Please note that the Accuplacer scores are valid 2 years from testing date)

Important: Students who test into corequisite math must enroll in these courses within their first 15 billable credits at the College.

Additional Math Sequence Information

For detailed course descriptions, see Course Descriptions .

Attendance Requirements and Course Lab

Students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled class meetings. Poor attendance may significantly impact concept mastery and the overall grade in the course. The Mathematics Learning Center is available for students to work independently or with tutor assistance outside of class.

Possible Grades and When Students Need to Repeat a Course

Content mastery is important for student success. Students must earn a grade of C (70%) or higher to advance to the next course

Department Contact Information

For more information on the math sequence, contact the department chair or academic dean.

English for Academic Purposes

The English for Academic Purposes (EAP) sequence (Formerly ESL) includes up to eight courses, which upon completion enable students to participate successfully in college courses. Depending on initial assessment, English language learners are placed in various courses in academic English. The courses in this sequence develop reading, grammar, and writing, necessary for academic success.

There are two types of courses in the ESL sequence: Grammar and writing skills: EAP-0200, EAP-0400, EAP-0600, EAP-0800 and EAP-1000. Reading skills are taught in EAP-0100, EAP-0500, and EAP-1100.

Students placing into EAP-0500 or EAP-1100 may take the math placement test and enroll in math classes concurrently while taking their required ESL classes.  Likewise, students taking EAP-1100 may also enroll in INT-1010 and BIO-1010 simultaneously. They must speak with an advisor to choose courses appropriate for their major.

EAP-1000 and EAP-1100 are credit classes that fulfill the requirements for General Education Humanities electives. Passing both courses permits students to enroll in EGL-1010.
A grade of C or higher constitutes a passing grade in EAP.

The following table provides an overview of the sequence and the order of courses leading up to college-level courses. These courses follow two tracks, the EAP grammar/writing track and the EAP reading track. Note that the starting point for the sequence varies by initial course placement.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Sequence Placement and Courses

New Course Titles and Numbers Starting Fall 2026

¹ Students whose ESL test scores and writing sample do not place them intoEAP-0100 / EAP-0200  will be referred to Adult Basic Education or Transition ESL. For more information, see Continuing Education Courses and Programs .

Additional EAP Sequence Information

For detailed course descriptions, see Course Descriptions .

Language Lab

All EAP students are required to complete 15 clock hours of lab activities. These will be explained in more detail on the course syllabi.

Possible Grades and When Students Need to Repeat a Course

Content mastery is important for student success. Students earning less than 70 percent must repeat the course.

Review or Accelerated Courses Alternatives

There are no accelerated courses or programs for the English for Academic Purposes course sequence.

Department Contact Information

For more information on the EAP sequence, contact the department chair or academic dean.