Academic Tests
Questions? Contact Us.
Placement Testing
placement@yvcc.edu
509-574-4949
Academic Tests
Advanced Placement (AP)
High school students who have participated in the Advanced Placement Program during high school or have developed an equivalent background through self-initiative may take tests offered by the College Board each year during the month of May, and scores will be reported to three colleges of the student’s choice. The student must have successfully completed one quarter at YVC before advanced placement credit will be placed on the transcript. Scores in computer science, economics, and music may also be submitted and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
About AP
All Washington state community and technical colleges award credit for students who achieve certain scores on the Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
- Students pay exam fees.
- Located at the high school.
Community and technical colleges have developed the following crosswalks for awarding credit:
Submit scores
Steps to submit your scores for placement into courses at YVC:
- Advanced Placement exam scores must come directly from College Board.
- Advanced Placement Exams
PO Box 6671, Princeton, NJ 08541-6671
Phone: 609.771.7300
Course placement
Credit Acceptance Policy
Washington state community and technical colleges will award unrestricted Elective Only credit for an Advanced Placement (AP) score of 3 or higher. Credit will be awarded on the basis of official AP results, not transcript notation. Credits granted for general education or major requirements will be specified by the receiving institution’s AP credit policies; otherwise, Elective Only credit will be granted.
ACT/SAT Placement
The goal of placement is to assess skills to ensure students are able to successfully engage with course content and have the best chances at passing the course. Many students now take both the ACT and SAT. Once you have your test scores, you need to determine which scores will benefit you more in the college placement process.
About ACT/SAT
The ACT and SAT are entrance exams used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The idea (in theory, at least) is to provide colleges with one common criterion that can be used to compare all applicants. However, it is just one factor in the admissions decision. Schools also consider your high school GPA, and academic transcripts.
Submit scores
Steps to submit your scores for placement into courses at YVC:
- When taking the SAT you can select Yakima Valley College and we will be able to view them. If you did not submit your scores at the time of testing, you may log into your College Board account and request your scores be sent.
- When taking the ACT, you can select Yakima Valley College (code # 4622) and we will be able to view them. If you did not submit your scores at the time of testing, you may log into your ACT account and request your scores be sent or download a copy request form
- Test scores are valid for placement for two years past test date.
Course placement after scores submitted
| ACT/SAT Test score | Placement |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 21+ | English 101 |
| ACT English 20+ | English 101 |
| SAT Critical Reading 500+ | English 101 |
| ACT Math 19 – 21 | Math& 107, 131, 146, or Math 095 |
| ACT Math 22 – 26 | Math& 141 or 111 |
| ACT Math 27 | Math& 142 or 148 |
| ACT Math 28 | Math& 151 |
| SAT Math 450 – 499 | Math& 107, 131, 146, or Math 095 |
| SAT Math 500 – 609 | Math& 141 or 111 |
| SAT Math 610 – 629 | Math& 142 or 148 |
| SAT Math 630+ | Math& 151 |
Cambridge International (CI)
Learners can choose from a range of assessment options, including Cambridge International AS Level qualifications alone, or as part of a progression to Cambridge International A Level. Credit will be award within the distribution area of the subject matter for each Cambridge International (CI) Examination for scores of E(e) or higher on A and AS level.
About CI
Washington community and technical colleges will grant a minimum elective credit for each Cambridge International Examination for A-level exam with a passing grade or above for approved examinations. Credit will be awarded on the basis of official Cambridge International Examination results, not transcript notation. Duplicate credit for the same subject taken on different exams will not be granted. No grades are posted for A-level exams.
Community and technical colleges have developed the following crosswalks for awarding credit:
Submit scores
To submit your scores for placement into courses at YVC, have them sent directly from Cambridge to admission@yvcc.edu or mailed to:
Yakima Valley College
Admissions Office
P.O. Box 22520
Yakima, WA 98907-2520
How Course placement after scores submitted
Credit will be awarded on the basis of official CI results, not transcript notation. Credits granted for general education or major requirements will be specified by the receiving institution’s CI credit policies; otherwise, elective credit will be granted. See Cambridge International (CI) Test Score Equivalencies for more information on Cambridge International Examination placement.
College-Level Examination Program
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations are based on undergraduate courses offered during the first two years of college study. They are developed by college instructors for the purpose of awarding college credit. Like end-of-course examinations, CLEP exams demand comprehensive subject knowledge. Some CLEP examinations may yield credit at YVC when satisfactory performance levels are reached.
About CLEP
Successfully completed CLEP examinations receive 'S' grades. Several YVC degrees and certificates limit the total number of 'S' grades, so it is important to speak with an advisor about taking CLEP examinations. CLEP credits may also be limited to general electives depending on a student's degree plan. Students must successfully complete one quarter at YVC before CLEP credits will be placed on their transcript.
To schedule a CLEP exam, call YVC's Testing Services at 509.574.4738.
Submit scores
Steps to submit your scores for placement into courses at YVC:
- CLEP examination scores must come directly from College Board:
- CLEP- Transcript Services
PO Box 6600, Princeton, NJ 08541-6600
Phone: 800.257.9558
CLEP Testing Cost
YVC now offers CLEP exams in Testing Services. CLEP exams cost $107 each ($87 to College Board and $20 YVC administration fee (payable to the YVC Cashier) and are available by appointment only. Register at the link below to purchase a test.
Register for College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Contact YVC Testing Services at 509.574.4738 to make an appointment.
Dantes Standardized Subject Test (DSST)
DANTES Standardized Subject Test (DSST) examinations are based on undergraduate courses offered during the first two years of college study. They are developed by college instructors for the purpose of awarding college credit. Similar to CLEP examinations, DSST exams demand comprehensive subject knowledge. DSST examinations yield credit at YVC when satisfactory performance levels are reached.
Successfully completed DSST examinations receive ‘S’ grades. Several YVC degrees and certificates limit the total number of ‘S’ grades, so it is important to speak with an advisor about taking DSST examinations. Students must successfully complete one quarter at YVC before DSST credits will be placed on their transcript. If the DSST class does not match a YVC class, credit will be granted as elective credit in the distribution area listed.
About DSST
If experience is the world's greatest teacher, then your experiences may well qualify you for college credit. The nationally recognized DSST Program helps you receive college credits for learning acquired outside the traditional classroom through a suite of more than 30 exams in college subject areas such as Social Sciences, Math, Applied Technology, Business, Physical Sciences and Humanities.
A form of prior learning assessment, DSSTs offer students a cost effective, time saving way to use their knowledge acquired outside of the classroom (perhaps from reading, on-the-job training, or independent study) to accomplish their educational goals.
Submit scores
Steps to submit your scores for placement into courses at YVC:
- DSST exam scores must come directly from DSST by completing the DSST Transcript Order Form or by calling 877.471.9860.
Course placement after scores submitted
The following credit will be granted to students entering YVC who have submitted scores from the College Board Advanced Placement Examinations Program.
| Exam | Score | Credit | YVC Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| A History of the Vietnam War | 49 | 5 | Social Sciences Distribution |
| Art of the Western World | 48 | 5 | Humanities Distribution |
| Astronomy | 48 | 5 | ASTR& 100 |
| Business Law II | 52 | 5 | Elective Credit |
| Business Mathematics | 48 | 5 | MATH 111 |
| Contemporary Western Europe: 1946-1990 | 48 | 5 | Social Sciences Distribution |
| Criminal Justice | 49 | 5 | CJ& 101 |
| Environment & Humanity | 46 | 5 | Natural Science Distribution |
| Ethics in America | 46 | 5 | Humanities Distribution |
| Foundations of Education | 46 | 5 | EDUC 210 |
| Fundamentals of College Algebra | 47 | 5 | MATH& 141 |
| Fundamentals of Counseling | 45 | 5 | Elective Credit |
| General Anthropology | 47 | 5 | Social Sciences Distribution |
| Here’s to Your Health | 48 | 5 | Elective Credit |
| Human/Cultural Geography | 48 | 5 | GEOG& 200 |
| Introduction to Business | 46 | 5 | BUS& 101 |
| Introduction to Computing | 45 | 5 | IT 101 |
| Introduction to Law Enforcement | 45 | 5 | Elective Credit |
| Introduction to the Middle East | 44 | 5 | Social Sciences Distribution |
| Introduction to World Religion | 48 | 5 | Humanities Distribution |
| Lifespan Development Psychology | 46 | 5 | PSYCH 213/214 |
| Management Information Systems | 46 | 5 | Elective Credit |
| Money & Banking | 48 | 5 | Elective Credit |
| Organizational Behavior | 48 | 5 | Social Sciences Distribution |
| Personal Finance | 46 | 5 | Elective Credit |
| Personnel/Human Resource Management | 46 | 5 | BA 161 |
| Physical Geography | 46 | 5 | GEOL& 101 |
| Principles of Finance | 46 | 5 | Elective Credit |
| Principles of Financial Accounting | 49 | 5 | ACCT& 201 |
| Principles of Physical Science I | 47 | 5 | PHSCI 101 |
| Principles of Public Speaking | 47 | 5 | CMST& 220 |
| Principles of Statistics | 48 | 5 | BA 256 |
| Principles of Supervision | 46 | 5 | BA 160 |
| Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union – Present | 45 | 5 | Social Sciences Distribution |
| Technical Writing | 46 | 5 | PTECH 120 |
| Substance Abuse (Drug & Alcohol Abuse) | 49 | 5 | CD 261 |
| The Civil War & Reconstruction | 47 | 5 | Social Sciences Distribution |
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Yakima Valley College (YVC) is proud to recognize students who have completed International Baccalaureate (IB) courses as part of their high school curriculum. IB courses are challenging and demanding, and YVC believes they provide exceptional readiness for the rigors of higher education.
About IB
All Washington state community and technical colleges award credit for students who achieve certain scores on the International Baccalaureate (IB) exams.
- Students pay exam fees.
- Located at the high school.
Community and technical colleges have developed the following crosswalks for awarding credit:
Submit scores
Steps to submit your scores for placement into courses at YVC:
- International Baccalaureate exam scores must come directly from IB Organization.
Course placement
Credit Acceptance Policy
Washington community and technical colleges, including YVC will grant a minimum elective credit for an International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level (HL) exam score of 4+ or higher. Credit will be awarded on the basis of official IB results, not transcript notation.