Virginia Placement Test (VPT) Information

You will need to bring a picture ID & student ID number.

  • You must have a current admissions application on file to take the assessment.
  • The VPT is given in the Testing Center at the Whittington W. Clement Learning Resources Center (LRC) on DCC’s main campus and at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center in South Boston.
  • Appointments are required. To make an appointment call 434.797.8467 or email admissions@danville.edu.
  • If you are a student who will be requesting accommodations to take the Placement assessment, please contact the ADA Coordinator at 434.797.8572.
  • A calculator will be supplied. No outside calculators will be allowed.

Testing Schedule

Appointments required. Email admissions@danville.edu or call 434.797.8467.

Monday - Thursday  |  9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Please arrive on time as our session times are limited. If you are unable to complete the entire test in one sitting, you will need to schedule a time to come back and finish it.

English: The VPT English assessment consists of an essay question and 40 multiple choice questions. The essay must be a multi-paragraph essay. There will be two topics to choose from and you must choose one to write about. Once you start the essay, you cannot go back and change the topic. Please see below for tips on successful essay writing. Upon completion of the essay, you will be given 40 multiple choice questions. It is advised that you read the questions before reading the passages.

  • The essay should follow the proper structure of an essay. There should be an introduction paragraph, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph.
  • Do not write the title of the essay, your name, the date, or any other piece of information that is not part of the body of the essay. Only the body of the essay should be typed into the text box.
  • Make sure to distinguish between paragraphs by pressing enter one time.
  • Make sure to read over your essay, looking for spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors before submitting the essay. Once you submit the essay, you cannot go back and edit it.
  • You may not use any additional help, for example, a dictionary, asking neighbors for assistance, any type of online help, notes brought in to the testing lab, or any other type of help.
  • You may use scratch paper and pencil or pen. Any notes, pre-written essays, or written brainstorming ideas MUST be 1) Done in the lab, not brought into the lab and 2) be discarded before leaving the testing lab. It is against VCCS policy to take any notes or written essays out of the testing lab.

Math: The VPT Math assessment consists of an initial 30 questions assessing your Algebra I skills. You may NOT use your own calculator, there will be one supplied on the test. You may NOT bring math notes, practice questions, formula sheets, or any other type of assistance. You may use scratch paper. Upon completion of the initial 30 questions, one of the following will occur:

  • If you score out of Algebra I, you will be given another 30 questions assessing your Algebra II skills.
  • If you do not score out of Algebra I, you will be given either Algebra I diagnostics (diagnostic 1 through 5) or you will be given a basic math test.
  • If you score out of Algebra II, you will be taken into a Calculus assessment or be finished, depending on how well you did on the Algebra II part.
  • If you do not score out of Algebra II, you will be given a series of five diagnostic test to determine which areas of Algebra II you need help in.

English Practice

Math Practice

VPT Practice