Diagnostic Testing is required for all new students at Delaware Valley College as a measure of support for students in preparing them for a successful college experience by placing them into courses and programs that match their skill level. The diagnostic tests are described below along with the requirements for each of the subject areas. Skill in English, Mathematics and Reading is necessary in every program of study. Therefore, Delaware Valley College tests incoming students in English and Mathematics in much the same way as every other college or university.

It is strongly recommended that students who are required to take two or more of the developmental courses (English Essentials, Basic Mathematics, College Reading) enroll in one or more of these courses prior to coming to Delaware Valley College. These courses may be taken at Delaware Valley College during the summer or at any other post-secondary institution.

English Diagnostic Testing

Beginning in 2007, all incoming students are required to complete the SAT Essay prior to registering for their first English course. Exceptions are as follows:

• Students who have received transfer credits in English Composition
• Students who have received a score of 3 or better on the AP English exam

College Reading:
 
Entering students who earn a score of less than 400 on the SAT-Verbal section will be required to enroll in a College Reading course to elevate their reading level.

The SAT essay is designed to assess the student's preparedness for college-level courses offered by the English department. Based on the results of the exam, the English department will recommend which course is most appropriate for the student. Because the goal of the diagnostic testing process is to maximize the opportunity for success, the student may not register for a course at a level higher than the English Department's recommendation.

Mathematics Diagnostic Testing

All students who are new to the college are required to take one or more mathematics diagnostic tests prior to registering for their first mathematics course. Some exceptions are as follows:

• Students who have received advanced placement (AP) credit for MP 1204 Calculus I
• Students who have received transfer credit for a mathematics course taken at another institution and approved by the Mathematics and Physics Department as equivalent to MP0010, MP1102, MP 1203, MP 1204 or MP 1205
• Students who have not completed Algebra II in high school (such students must enroll in MP 0009, High School Algebra II)

The diagnostic tests, which are administered during orientation programs at the college, are designed to assess the student's preparedness for college-level mathematics courses offered by the Mathematics and Physics Department. The number of tests required depends on the mathematics course in which the student hopes to begin his/her study. Based on the results of the tests taken, the Mathematics and Physics Department recommends a course for the student.

The student may, for the purpose of review, choose to begin in a course at a subject level lower than that recommended by the Mathematics and Physics Department (for example, a student who is recommended for MP 1204 Calculus I may choose to enroll in MP 1203 Elementary Functions, which is a prerequisite course for MP 1204 Calculus I); however, because the goal of the diagnostic testing process is to maximize the opportunity for success, the student may not register for a course at a subject level higher than the Mathematics and Physics Department's recommendation.

College Reading

Entering students who earn a score of less than 400 on the SAT-Verbal section will be required to enroll in a College Reading course to elevate their reading level. Reading is important in any discipline to comprehend the material that supplements classroom lectures. Statistics show that students who have successfully completed the course have eliminated their deficiencies and the reading level has been elevated by as much as two years. Students who do not pass College Reading must repeat and pass the course or take and pass the Learning Strategies course prior to moving to sophomore status.