Virginia Placement Test (VPT) for Math
Unless exempt, you must take Virginia Placement Test (VPT) before enrolling in any math course. Other courses (science and computer science) or programs (nursing) may require a qualifying score on the math placement test. If you do not receive a qualifying score, you will need to take developmental math before enrolling in college-level courses.
- The Virginia Placement Test for Mathematics is an adaptive, computerized, untimed test.
- Allow at least 2 ½ hours to complete.
- A non-graphing calculator for all topics (except basic skills with whole numbers) will be provided. Personal calculators cannot be used.
- During testing, answers may lead to subsequent questions of corresponding difficulty. When you can no longer consistently answer correctly, the test will stop and your course placement is determined.
- You will get a print-out of your scores when finished.
- Math test scores are valid for two years.
Retests
One retest is allowed within 12 months of the initial attempt on the VPT, if taken before you enroll in a math course.
Prepare for Testing
We strongly recommend that you review high school level Algebra I and II, algebraic applications and equations, decimals, and fractions.
- Online Math Review
- Sample Questions – PDF requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the Student ID the test is asking me to enter?
A: The Student ID is your seven-digit EMPLID or SIS ID number (numbers only, no letters). It is NOT the same as the user ID that is in your VCCS email address – you will need that on the second information page, but make sure that the ID you enter here is the seven-digit EMPLID/SIS ID number. This is very important in making sure your scores are processed correctly, so if you have any questions about which ID to use, please ask an assistant.
Q: Which email address should I use?
A: Use your VCCS email address, not your home/personal email address. This is where your username comes in, since the VCCS email format is your username + @email.vccs.edu. (For example, if your username is abc123, you would enter abc123@email.vccs.edu.)
Q: How long does the test take/how many sections are there?
A: The test is untimed, and we encourage you not to rush through it. The number of sections varies depending on your performance in each part. When you are finished with the last section, a screen will appear asking for a proctor password. You will need to get an assistant to enter the password and print your results.
Q: What if I don’t know how to solve any of the problems?
A: Don’t give up if the questions are unfamiliar to you. The placement test is not something you can “pass” or “fail,” so just do the best you can, and don’t worry if you can’t answer every question. This test is designed to provide a basic idea of your math ability, and help the advisors place you in the courses best suited to your ability level.
Q: Can I quit taking the test and come back later to finish it?
A: Yes, it is possible to save your test and finish it later, although you won’t receive any results until you complete the test. If you must leave before you can finish, notify an assistant so they can enter the password to save your test for later.
Q: How do I know what my results mean?
A: The LAC staff cannot interpret your results, but BRCC’s academic advisors can help you figure out what your results mean.
Contact
Learning Assistance Center
Houff Student Center
Second Floor
M-Th: 8:30 am-9:00 pm.
F: 8:30 am-4:30 pm.
453-2254
213-7002, ext. 2254
943-7002, ext. 2254
CEEB Code #5083
