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 (including Charter schools) 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