students taking tests in the testing center

Reading and Writing Placement

Reading and writing placement assessments are used to measure your skills to determine your proper course placement.

Years of School Completed - Kindergarten Through 12th Grade

  • Students who are non-native English speakers and have completed zero to four years of schooling in the United States must take the Kaplan International Tools for English test (ELS Placement Test) to meet course prerequisites. 
  • Students who are native English speakers and have completed more than four years of schooling can follow the instructions outlined below. 

Placement Options

Fall 2023 Registration

Effective Fall 2023 Reading and Writing Category One prerequisites are reinstated. Students can meet Reading and Writing Category One requirements using any of the following measures. 

  • College-level credit totaling 12 semester hours with at least a “C” average. Reading Category One only.
  • College certificate, Associate degree, BA/BS degree, Graduate degree. Reading Category One only.
  • Minimum high school cumulative, non-weighted GPA of 2.6 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent, with a minimum of 7 semesters (3.6/5.0).
  • ACT composite score of 20 or higher. Proof of score must be provided. Send to testing@cod.edu.
  • SAT total score of 950 or higher. Proof of score must be provided. Send to testing@cod.edu.
  • SAT Reading/Writing subscore of 480 or higher. Proof of score must be provided. Send to testing@cod.edu.
  • ACCUPLACER Reading test taken at another institution with minimum cut–off score of 246. Send scores to academictesting@cod.edu.
  • ACCUPLACER Writing test taken at another institution with minimum cut–off score of 250. Send scores to academictesting@cod.edu.
  • Students who do not meet one of the prerequisites will need to take the Guided Self Placement Questionnaire (GSP).

The Guided Self Placement (GSP) is a multiple-choice assessment that asks native English speakers to self-assess their reading and writing skills and strategies. The assessment takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Questions cover topics such as a student’s comfort level with college reading and writing processes. Students also read a short college-level passage and self-assess their comprehension abilities through multiple-choice comprehension questions. The GSP does not need to be completed in a COD testing center.

Based on students’ responses, they are provided English course recommendations and are given a Reading & Writing category score. Students who score below Category 1 in either Reading or Writing, are required to take developmental (pre-college) coursework. Students should only take the GSP if they do not meet one of COD’s other measures for English Placement. To complete the GSP, log on to the Student Portal, click myACCESS, and then click Guided Self Placement.

Proof of some prerequisites can be submitted to the Office of Student Records.

If you have additional questions, contact academictesting@cod.edu.

Students can meet Reading and Writing requirements using any of the following:

  • TOEFL Score 550 paper/pencil, 213 computer-based, or 79 internet-based.
  • IELTS Score 6.5 or higher. Proof of score must be provided.
  • ACT composite score of 20 or SAT total score of 950 or higher. Proof of score must be provided.
  • ESL Accuplacer Reading score of 102+ and ESL Language Use score of 102 + (taken at COD before October 21, 2019)
  • College-level credit totaling 12 semester hours with at least a “C” average from a US academic college or university. (Only meets the Reading requirement.)
  • Kaplan International Tools for English Placement Test (Part 1 & Part 2)

The Kaplan International Tools for English test (ELS Placement Test) will assess your English language proficiency in order to help you find the right classes. The test is divided into two parts. Students are placed based on the cumulative score from Part 1 (Multiple Choice) or the average score from Part 2 (Writing and Speaking).

Before you take the Kaplan International Tools for English test (ELS Placement Test), you might want to:

  • Practice for the test
    • Part 1 Practice Test - Using the Google Chrome browser, copy and paste the link below:testflight.kaplanenglishtest.com/register/cod1234
    • Part 2 Practice Test - Using the Google Chrome browser, copy and paste the link below:testflight.kaplanenglishtest.com/register/cod-ws1234

After you take the Kaplan International Tools for English test (ELS Placement Test): 

More information about the Kaplan International Tools for English test, can be found on the English Language Studies (ELS) webpage.

If you have additional questions, contact elstesting@cod.edu.

Contact Information

Academic and Specialized Testing Center, Glen Ellyn - Main Campus
Berg Instructional Center (BIC), Room 2A06/2A08
(630) 942-2401
Email: testing@cod.edu
Testing Hours and Locations