Communications Proficiency may be achieved in the following ways:

 

By High School Grade/GPA

  • A 2.7 cumulative high school GPA for students who have graduated from high school within the past ten years (for Seniors applying to the college, a junior year GPA may be used).
  • Massachusetts Public High School English grade (2020 to present): 
    B or better in English 9 or B- or better in English 10, 11, or 12
    Students with B- to D+ in English 9 or C+ to D+ in English 10, 11 or 12 place into the Accelerated Learning Plan (ALP) or may take placement tests for higher placement.
  • Salem, Beverly, Essex North Shore Tech and Danvers high school students with a B or better in English 9 and/or a B- or better in English 10, 11 or 12.  (2017 to present)
  • Salem, Beverly, Essex North Shore Tech and Danvers high school students with a B- to D+ in English 9 or a C+ to D+ in English 10, 11 or 12 may place directly into the Accelerated Learning Plan (CMP101 plus FFL015) or take placement tests for higher placement. (2017 to present)
  • Peabody high school students with a B or better in honors English 9, 10, 11 or 12,   a B+ better in college prep English 9, 10, 11 or 12,  a B- in AP Language, or a B or better in AP Literature. (2017 to present)
  • Peabody high students with B- to D+ in English 9 or a C+ to D+ in English 10, 11 or 12  may place directly into the Accelerated Learning Plan (CMP101 plus FFL015) or take placement tests for higher placement. (2017 to present)
  • Lynn high schools students may place into CMP101 or the Accelerated Learning plan according to the LPS/NSCC Agreement. (2017 to present)

 

By Testing

  • A score of 245-257 on the Accuplacer Next Generation Reading test plus a score of 5 or higher on the WritePlacer section of the Computerized Placement Test.
  • A score of 258 on the Accuplacer Next Generation Reading test plus a score of 4 or higher on the WritePlacer section of the Computerized Placement Test.
  • A score of 68 or higher on the Reading section of the Accuplacer Classic Reading test plus a score of 4 or higher on the WritePlacer section of the Computerized Placement Test.
  • SATs taken prior to the redesign in 2016, a score of 500 or higher on the Reading portion of the SAT plus a score of 500 or higher on the Writing portion of the SAT. If students achieve a 500 or better in Reading but not Writing, they need to pass the WritePlacer Section of the Computerized Placement Test with a score of 7 or higher on the 12 point WritePlacer or a score of 4 or higher on the 8-point WritePlacer section of the Computerized Placement Test. If they achieve a 500 or better in the Writing but not the Reading, they need to achieve a score of 68 or higher on the Reading section of the Computerized Placement Test.
  • For the Redesigned SAT (taken 2016 or later) a score of 550 on the Evidence Based Reading and Writing section.
  • ACT English and Language Arts score of 22 or better
  • A PSAT score of 550 on the Evidence Based Reading and Writing section.
  • A score of 80 percent correct or higher on the entry level Massachusetts Firefighters' Exam.
  • A score at or above 85 percent correct on the Reading Comprehension portion of TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) version 3.0/4.0 plus a score of 7 or higher on the 12-point WritePlacer or a score of 4 or higher on the 8-point WritePlacer section of the Computerized Placement Test.
  • A score at or above 69 percent correct on the Reading Comprehension portion of TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) version V plus a score of 7 or higher on the 12-point WritePlacer or a score of 4 or higher on the 8-point WritePlacer section of the Computerized Placement Test.
  • A score at or above 54 percent correct on the Reading/Reasoning section of the CNET (Center for Nursing Education and Testing) Exam.
  • A score of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement English Test.
  • Acceptance into the VERIZON Next Step Program.
  • HiSET Language Arts Reading score of 15+ and HiSET Language Arts Writing score 15+
  • GED Reading/Language Arts score of 165+ (taken 2014 or sooner) 

 

By Course

  • Completing NSCC's FFL010 with a grade of B+ or better.
  • Completing NSCC's FFL011, and FFL013 with grades of B+ or better.
  • Completing NSCC's FFL012 and FFL014 with C or better.
  • Completion and passing of Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) CMP101 and FFL015
  • Completing NSCC's LNG 104 with an A- or better
  • Completing NSCC's ESL 122 and ESL 128 with A's.
  • Completing NSCC's ESL132 with an A.
  • Completing a college-level, writing intensive, Liberal Arts course with a C minus or better.
  • Transferring courses and grades equivalent to the above or higher.

 

By Degree

  • An Associate Degree from a U. S. college or university will be accepted as demonstrated communications proficiency.
  • A Bachelor's Degree from a U. S. college or university will be accepted as demonstrated communications proficiency.
  • A Master's Degree from a U. S. college or university will be accepted as demonstrated communications proficiency.

For more information

Please contact testing@northshore.edu

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