Northwest Technical College (NTC) has a process to figure out if you are ready for classes in reading, writing and math. This helps you choose the right classes and register for them. Keep in mind that different programs may have different requirements.

Here’s how we decide what classes you should take:

New Student with No College Experience

If you are a new student and have not gone to college before:

  • We can look at your ACT or SAT scores from the past 5 years. Many students take the ACT or SAT in 10th or 11th grade. You can send your scores electronically to NTC — just choose Northwest Technical College as the school to receive your scores. Or you can send them by mail to:
    • Northwest Technical College
      905 Grant Ave SE
      Bemidji, MN 56601
  • We can look at your Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) scores in reading and math from the past 5 years.
  • We can look at your high school grade point average (GPA) if you graduated in the past 10 years.

If you don’t have any of these scores or a GPA, you can take the Accuplacer test. The Accuplacer is a basic skills assessment that can be taken at your local high school, at NTC, at another college or online through Zoom. If you want to take the Accuplacer test at NTC or online, contact Admissions at admissions@ntcmn.edu or (218) 333-6600.

If you don’t have a high school GPA from the past 10 years or Accuplacer scores from the last 2 years for math or 5 years for reading or ACT, SAT or MCA scores from the past 5 years, you can use the Guided Self Placement process.

New Student with Some College Experience

If you are a new student and have gone to college before, you are considered a “transfer student.” Welcome to NTC!

If you have already taken college classes at another accredited college or university, you may not need to take the placement test. Just send your official transcripts to NTC. If you still need to take the placement test after we review your transcripts, you have a few options:

  • Sending your ACT, SAT or MCA scores from the past 5 years
    Submitting your high school official transcripts with your GPA, if you graduated in the past 10 years
  • Sending Accuplacer scores from the past 2 years for math or 5 years for reading
    Using the Guided Self Placement process

You can find more information in the section above.

Current or Returning Student

If you are a current or returning student, we use a variety of methods to decide what classes you should take. We will use the highest placement requirement we have on file.

This can include:

  • Your high school GPA from the past 10 years
  • ACT, SAT or MCA scores from the past 5 years
  • Accuplacer math scores from the past 2 years
  • Accuplacer reading scores from the past 5 years
  • Previous college credit

If your existing placement has expired, you can use the Guided Self Placement process.

Visiting Students

If you are a visiting student, you need to meet the class prerequisites and placement requirements. Many visiting students are exempt based on previous college classes. If you can’t register for classes because you don’t have the prerequisites or placement requirements, please contact NTC Records and Registration.

Dual High School and College Enrollment — PSEO or OCHS

If you are in a dual high school and college program (PSEO or OCHS), we use a variety of methods to decide what classes you should take. We will use the highest placement requirement we have on file.

This can include:

  • Your current high school GPA
  • ACT, SAT or MCA scores from the past 5 years

If you submitted your high school grade point average (GPA) and/or sent over your ACT, SAT or MCA scores, we will review your placement and clear you for registration.

Minnesota State College Readiness Pilot Program

College Readiness course placement is required for all students before they are allowed to register for classes.

NTC is currently participating in a pilot program for College Readiness placement authorized by the Minnesota State system that allows placement to be based on the same criteria that was approved per COVID-19 policy. This pilot program will run through September 2023.  Please contact Admissions for readiness placement information.

Beginning in September 2023 NTC will move to the new Multiple Measures College Readiness course placement as required by the Minnesota State system. If it benefits student course placement, NTC may default to Multiple Measures requirements during the pilot program time period. Upon acceptance to NTC the Admissions Office will determine course placement. Based on the evaluation results, students may be required to enroll in college readiness courses in English and/or Mathematics.

If you are seeking an appeal or a new course placement review based on previous scores or information about re-testing or have any other questions or concerns about course placement please contact Admissions.

Accuplacer Assessment

The Accuplacer assessment is one tool that may be used when necessary to determine course placement. The Accuplacer is not a pass/fail test, but rather a tool for incoming students to help determine which college courses are appropriate.

The Accuplacer may not be necessary based on other evaluation options such as high school GPA, ACT/SAT test results or Self-Guided placement options…please contact Admissions with any questions concerning course placement.

If the Accuplacer is required, we strongly recommend preparing for the assessment, because doing well can reduce the number of classes you’ll need to graduate. Scoring higher on the assessment can allow a student to save significant amounts of time and money by testing out of developmental education courses. To help you prepare, check out the following resources:

Email proctor@ntcmn.edu to set up an Accuplacer test.