Course Placement
Directed Self Placement
Welcome to SVC’s English Directed Self Placement (DSP)
We’re happy you’re here and ready to find the English class that’s the best fit for you. The DSP will help you figure out the right level of English composition based on how comfortable you feel reading and understanding English texts.
What is the English DSP?
The English DSP is a self-placement tool that helps you:
- Check your current reading and writing skills.
- Decide which English composition class will challenge you but not overwhelm you.
- Start your English courses with confidence.
How does the DSP work?
- Read sample passages: You’ll see short readings that match different levels of English classes at SVC.
- Rate your confidence: After each passage, you’ll let us know how comfortable and confident you feel reading it.
- Answer a few questions: The tool may ask additional questions about your familiarity with technology and other aspects of learning.
- Get your placement results: Based on your answers, you’ll find out which course level is recommended for your first quarter of English. You’ll see these results in the DSP tool and receive an email with more details.
- Next steps: By submitting this form, your outcome will be entered into your student account for placement. If you feel the result doesn’t reflect your current English and/or Math readiness do not hit submit. Simply exit the form and start a new one. Your placement doesn’t automatically enroll you in the course. You will be invited to attend a New Student Registration where you will meet with an advisor to discuss your placement.
Are there other ways to place into English at SVC?
Yes! Aside from the DSP, you can also:
- Provide official transcripts for evaluation
- Take the Accuplacer test
- Explore other placement options listed here: SVC Course Placement
Additional Information
While you can take the DSP on any mobile phone (Android or iOS), we suggest using a laptop, desktop computer, or a tablet’s web browser for easier navigation. If you have trouble seeing any part of the screen, adjusting your zoom or scrolling should help.
Using a Phone:
- To make the screen bigger, pinch and spread your fingers.
- If you don’t see a button, scroll down or zoom out.
- Instead of “Previous” and “Next” buttons, you’ll see left and right arrows.
Using a Computer (Laptop or Desktop): You’ll see “Previous” and “Next” buttons on each page.
- A quiet space to focus
- Your ctcLink number
- I forgot it / I don't have it on me: Reach out to IT.helpdesk@skagit.edu.
- Never activated mine: You will have to follow some instructions (these may take 5-10 minutes to complete). Visit the ctcLink Student Activation instructions.
- New student without a ctcLink number: You will need to apply to SVC through the ctcLink system in order to receive a ctcLink number. Apply here: https://apply.ctc.edu/user
- An email address that you check often because you cannot complete DSP without one. Many students use their @mysvc.skagit.edu email addresses if they know it and check their accounts regularly.
After Taking DSP
- You will be emailed a confirmation message with your placement level.
- Keep your confirmation email! It shows the course level into which you tested.
- Visit the New Student Registration page to register to attend a session and enroll in your classes!
Welcome to SVC’s Math Directed Self Placement
We’re glad you’re here and ready to find the math class that fits you best. This DSP will help you figure out the right math course level based on your current skills and confidence.
What is Math DSP?
This is a self-placement tool that helps you:
- Assess your comfort and skill level in math.
- Place into a math class that challenges you but isn’t too overwhelming.
- Start your math studies with more awareness of your current skills.
How does the DSP Work?
- Review sample problems: You’ll see math problems similar to those you’d encounter in different classes.
- Rate your confidence: Tell us how able you feel to solve each type of problem.
- Get your placement: Based on your answers, the DSP will recommend the best starting math course for you. You’ll see these results in the tool, and a confirmation email will be sent to you.
- Next steps: By submitting this form, your outcome will be entered into your student account for placement. If you feel the result doesn’t reflect your current English and/or Math readiness do not hit submit. Simply exit the form and start a new one. Your placement doesn’t automatically enroll you in the course. You will be invited to attend a New Student Registration where you will meet with an advisor to discuss your placement.
Are there other ways to place into math at SVC?
Yes! Other placement options include:
- Transcript evaluations
- Accuplacer testing
- More details: SVC Course Placement
Additional Information
Plan for about 30 minutes to complete the DSP, but don’t worry—you won’t be timed. You can save your progress and come back whenever you want.
While you can take the DSP on any mobile phone (Android or iOS), we suggest using a laptop, desktop computer, or a tablet’s web browser for easier navigation. If you have trouble seeing any part of the screen, adjusting your zoom or scrolling should help.
Using a Phone:
- To make the screen bigger, pinch and spread your fingers.
- If you don’t see a button, scroll down or zoom out.
- Instead of “Previous” and “Next” buttons, you’ll see left and right arrows.
Using a Computer (Laptop or Desktop):
- You’ll see “Previous” and “Next” buttons on each page.
- A calculator, scratch paper, pencil, a quiet space to focus
- Your ctcLink number
- I forgot it / I don't have it on me: helpdesk@skagit.edu.
- Never activated mine: You will have to follow some instructions (these may take 5-10 minutes to complete). Visit the ctcLink Student Activation instructions.
- New student without a ctcLink number: you will need to apply to SVC through the ctcLink system in order to receive a ctcLink number. Apply here: https://apply.ctc.edu/user
- An email address that you check often because you cannot complete DSP without one. Many students use their @mysvc.skagit.edu email addresses if they know it and check their accounts regularly.
After Taking DSP
- You will be emailed a confirmation message with your placement level.
- Keep your confirmation email! It shows the course level into which you tested.
- Visit the New Student Registration page to register to attend a session and enroll in your classes!