College Placement Exams

Placement Testing Information

If you are a first-time-in-college degree-seeking student entering a college credit program, you are required to take some form of basic placement testing in English, reading and mathematics. You may meet this requirement in several ways:

• ACT or SAT scores may be used for placement provided that the scores are less than two years old and they meet state-mandated minimum score levels, Test Score Worksheet .
• If ACT or SAT scores are lower than the state-mandated minimum scores, you may take the College Placement Test (CPT), which is also called the Postsecondary Readiness Test (PERT).
• If you transfer college-level mathematics credit and/or college-level English composition credit to Gulf Coast State College, you have completed the testing requirement in that specific discipline and must test only in the area(s) in which you are deficient. If you are a transfer student, you must have your transcripts evaluated by the Transcript Coordinator to determine if you are required to take any of the tests. College-level English composition credit supersedes the need for placement in reading.

Traditional Placement

If you entered the 9th grade in a Florida public school prior to 2003–2004, graduated from a non-public Florida high school or earned the GED, you qualify for Traditional Placement in English, reading and mathematics. Traditional Placement requires that you submit active scores on a college placement test (CPT/PERT, SAT or ACT) to Gulf Coast State College in order to assist academic advisors in determining your readiness for college-level English, reading and mathematics.

Flexible Placement

If you entered the 9th grade in a Florida public school in 2003–2004 or later and earned a standard Florida high school diploma from a Florida public high school or are serving as active-duty members of the United States Armed Services, you qualify for Flexible Placement. Flexible Placement indicates that you are not required to be tested or to enroll in developmental education. You may opt into developmental education if you deem it appropriate after consulting with your academic advisor.

COLLEGE PLACEMENT TEST(CPT)/POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION READINESS TEST (PERT) FAQ

• WHAT IS THE CPT/PERT AND HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR IT?
  • For detailed information about the CPT/PERT along with a study guide, visit PERT Study Guide
  • Math videos can be found at the Mathematics Division website.
• DO I NEED AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE CPT/PERT ?

  • You do not need an appointment. The CPT/PERT is administered on a walk-in basis.

• WHO MAY TAKE THE CPT/PERT AT THE GULF COAST STATE COLLEGE TESTING CENTER AND IS THE CPT/PERT AVAILABLE AT ANOTHER LOCATION?
  • Current Gulf Coast State College applicants, students and dual enrolling high school students may test at the Gulf Coast State College Testing Center.
  • If you are a Gulf Coast State College applicant who resides in Bay, Franklin or Gulf County, you may take the CPT/PERT at one of Gulf Coast State College's satellite campuses: Gulf/Franklin campus
  • If you are a Gulf Coast State College applicant who resides outside of Bay, Franklin or Gulf County, you may request to take the CPT/PERT at an off-campus location by completing the CPT/PERT proctor request form.
• IS THERE A FEE FOR TAKING THE CPT/PERT AND WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME TO TAKE THE CPT/PERT?

  A $5.00 fee must be paid at the Gulf Coast State College Bookstore or Business Office before you take the CPT/PERT.  If you are a public high school student who is testing for the Dual Enrollment Program, you are exempt from the required $5.00 fee, but you must bring a current Dual Enrollment Voucher from your high school on the day you are testing.  (Note: High school students from the following counties are permitted to test for Dual Enrollment purposes: Bay, Franklin and Gulf).  

  You must bring all of the following when coming to take the CPT/PERT:

  • your paid receipt or dual enrollment voucher
  • a valid photo ID (an unexpired school-issued ID, military ID, driver's license, state-issued ID or passport)
  • your social security number
• HOW MANY TIMES MAY I TAKE THE CPT/PERT AND HOW LONG ARE MY SCORES VALID?
  • You are allowed to take each sub-test two times per semester. Please consult the academic calendar to view semester dates.
  • Your CPT/PERT sub-test scores are valid for two years.
• WHICH MATERIALS ARE ALLOWED/NOT ALLOWED WHILE TAKING THE CPT/PERT AND HOW LONG WILL THE TEST TAKE?
  • Calculators are not allowed. Pencils, erasers and scrap paper will be provided by the Gulf Coast State College Testing Center. The only items permitted in the testing room are your car keys and photo ID.
  • Although the CPT/PERT is untimed, allow yourself at least 2 1/2 to 3 hours to complete the three sub-tests (reading, writing and math). You must complete the test the same day you begin testing, otherwise the test could be voided or scored based on the number of questions that were answered. You will also have to pay the $5.00 testing fee again to retest.
• WHAT IF I HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CPT/PERT AND WHERE IS THE GULF COAST STATE COLLEGE TESTING CENTER LOCATED?
  • If you have further questions about the CPT/PERT, contact Kara Hillard at khillard@gulfcoast.edu or 850-873-3533 (email preferred).
  • The Gulf Coast State College Testing Center is located on the 3rd floor of the Student Union West Building (View Campus Map). Sign in on the computer in the 3rd floor stairwell and then come to the seating area closest to room 311 and wait for your name to be called.
• WHAT ARE THE CPT/PERT TESTING DATES AND TIMES?

   The CPT/PERT is given on the dates listed below on a walk-in basis in the order of your arrival. You may check-in for the CPT/PERT during the check-in times listed. You then will have until the Gulf Coast State College Testing Center's closing time (Monday–Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Fridays, 3:30 p.m.) to complete your exam.

  Testing Schedule

  You must complete PERT test the same day you begin testing, otherwise the test could be voided or scored based on the number of questions that were answered. You will also have to pay the $5 testing fee again to retest.

  Dates and check-in times are subject to change. For updated dates and check-in times, please call 850-769-1551 ext. 2899.

ACT OR SAT SCORES FOR PLACEMENT

If you present scores from either the American College Testing Program's ACT or the College Board's SAT exam that meet or exceed the scores shown below, you may be exempted from taking the Florida College Entry-Level Placement Test.

Gulf Coast State College requires official scores. Individual student scores are valid for two years. All ACT or SAT scores received on an official high school or college transcript will be accepted. Scores may be sent to: