Placement Testing/Assessment

All steps must be completed to be accepted into Blackhawk. 

Placement Testing

Students may complete a placement test and scores may be used to determine appropriate course placement -- students cannot fail the placement test. Blackhawk offers the Next-Generation Accuplacer assessment for FREE. Students will need to bring a photo ID with them when they test. If a re-test is necessary, a fee must be paid and a receipt must be presented prior to taking a test. Note: Blackhawk also accepts ACT/SAT scores to be used for course placement.

Next-Generation Accuplacer is an untimed assessment taken on a computer that measures skills in reading, language usage, and numerical skills. Testing accommodations are available in the Student Success Center by calling (608) 743-4422, deaf/hh call Relay 711.

Students may be placed into coursework based on their high school GPA, which can be retrieved from the official high school transcript.

Next-Generation ACCUPLACER Retest Policy

Retesting is an option if students believe their scores do not accurately reflect their abilities and skill levels.

Admission Retest: 

  • After reviewing the admission test scores, students may retest in each area once using Next-Generation ACCUPLACER.
  • Students who have completed Next-Generation ACCUPLACER as part of the admission process MUST wait 48 hours after their first Next-Generation ACCUPLACER exam before retesting.
  • There is a fee to re-test. For information contact the Testing Center at (608) 757-7666.

Health Science Assessments

The programs listed below have additional assessment requirements to meet academic readiness. Please see an Academic Advisor for academic readiness requirements.

  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • Medical Assistant
  • Nursing Assistant
  • Nursing
  • Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Radiography
  • Surgical Technology

Make-Up Testing

Make-up testing is a service provided for students who have been absent and are being allowed to complete an exam per the course instructor. A valid photo ID is required for all testing (i.e. state ID, driver's license, passport, student ID, other IDs approved by testing staff).