Directed Self-Placement (DSP) Questionnaire
Location: Library/Learning Resource Center, Ground Floor
Westchester Community College (WCC) has developed two Directed Self-Placement (DSP) Questionnaires, one in Mathematics and another in English and Reading. We ask that you complete BOTH questionnaires, which will be used in conjunction with other information about your academic history to place you into the appropriate courses.
The DSP is a tool that will help WCC evaluate your past academic performance, study habits, and experiences in mathematics, reading, and writing. Each questionnaire may take up to 30 minutes to complete. You must complete BOTH questionnaires, even if you have been waived from one portion of the placement requirements. The highest placement result, including any waivers you may have received, will be used to determine your final course placement.
Attention students with disabilities
If you have a documented disability, submitted documentation to the Disability Services Office (DSO) and require assistance with the questionnaire, please contact the DSO at [email protected].
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Location: Library/Learning Resource Center, Ground Floor
Steps to Complete the DSP Questionnaires
To receive and start the DSP Questionnaires, you must complete the entirety of the Let’s Get Started module for New Students. If you do not finish the module, you will not be eligible to receive your placement.
For information on how to complete the Let’s Get Started module, visit https://www.sunywcc.edu/getting-started
For any questions about the Let’s Get Started module, please contact the MyWCC Student Helpdesk. Email [email protected], or call 914.606.5600.
You will receive the DSP Questionnaires by email to your SUNY WCC email account within two business days after your completion of the entire Getting Started Module for New Students. The DSP Questionnaires will not be sent to personal email accounts. You will receive two emails and the subject lines will be:
- Westchester Community College | Math Directed Self-Placement Questionnaire
- Westchester Community College | English & Reading Directed Self-Placement Questionnaire
If you do not receive the DSP Questionnaires within two business days of your completion of the entire Getting Started Module for New Students, please check your Spam or Junk E-Mail folder just in case the DSP Questionnaires were delivered there instead of your inbox. If you still cannot find the emails, please email us at [email protected] immediately.
Please note that college business days are Monday through Friday. If you request the Questionnaire between Friday and Sunday, you will receive the Questionnaires the following week.
Each Questionnaire may take up to 30 minutes to complete. You may only complete each questionnaire one time. Answer as honestly and accurately as possible.
Once BOTH questionnaires are completed you must wait until the next business day by noon before your next steps.
If you have not already, your next step is to speak with an Academic Counselor.
Academic Counselors are available in person and via virtual walk-in. To sign-in to meet with an Academic Counselor virtually go to www.sunywcc.edu/getadvised during regular business hours. For more information about our business hours please go to www.sunywcc.edu/counseling
You should activate your MyWCC account before meeting with an Academic Counselor, click here to learn how to activate your MyWCC account. For questions about MyWCC, please contact [email protected].
Transfer Students must have their official transcript sent to WCC directly from their former school. The transcript must be evaluated prior to making an appointment with an Academic Counselor and before registering for classes. For any questions regarding the transfer process, please contact the Registrar office at [email protected].
If you have any questions about the placement process, please contact [email protected].
Directed Self-Placement (DSP) FAQ
To be eligible to take the DSP Questionnaire, you must have already earned or be about to earn a high school diploma (US or foreign) or equivalent (GED) by the time of your enrollment.
In addition, you must complete the entirety of the Let’s Get Started module before you will be sent the Directed Self-Placement Questionnaires. For information on how to complete the Let’s Get Started module, please https://www.sunywcc.edu/admissions/new-student-onboarding-enrollment/
If you will NOT have earned a high school diploma (US or foreign) or equivalent (GED) by the time of enrollment, please click here for your steps on how complete the placement process by taking the Ability to Benefit Exam (ATB).
Required:
Your nine digit student ID number (ex. 000123456)
Prior to taking the DSP Questionnaire, your application must be processed by the Admissions Office. This ID number can be found in the Admissions email titled “Congratulations from Westchester Community College!”
If you do not have this number please contact the HelpDesk at [email protected].
Recommended:
If you have graduated from a US High School in the past 10 years, the questionnaire will ask about your academic history. To answer these questions, please have your high school transcript and the results of any standardized exams, such as the SAT, ACT, and Regents.
If you do not have this information or are unable to retrieve it, you can still complete the questionnaire by answering questions about your academic experiences, comfort level with course material, and study habits. Your responses to the DSP questionnaire will place you into appropriate courses.
You are only allowed to take each DSP Questionnaire once.
Please read every question and respond carefully and honestly, as you will be unable to change your previous answers at certain points in the questionnaire.
However, if you are unhappy with your placement results from the DSP Questionnaires, please speak with an academic counselor. Challenge Exams are available.
For more information on Challenge Exams: Additional Placement Services
Yes, you need to complete both questionnaires. Waivers based on other information (grades, test scores, transfer credits) will still be used for students who have them.
If you have been waived from all portions of placement, you do not need to complete the DSP Questionnaires and may contact the Academic Counseling Department to schedule an appointment.
You are NOT allowed to take the DSP Questionnaires more than once.
However, if you are unhappy with your placement results from the DSP Questionnaires, please speak with an academic counselor. You may be given permission to challenge your placement by taking a remote placement exam using ACCUPLACER.
Steps on how to request a challenge: Additional Placement Services
The DSP Questionnaires are supported on the following browsers:
- Apple Safari
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Edge
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Mozilla Firefox
We recommend that users always use the most up-to-date version of their browser, older versions may not be compatible.
The DSP Questionnaire is mobile device friendly.
For any technical issues or problems completing the questionnaire, please contact the Testing and Assessment Office for help.
If you are a recent US High School graduate we highly recommended that you have your high school transcript and the results of any standardized exam scores, such as the New York State Regents, SAT, and ACTs available when completing the questionnaires.
However, if you do not have this information or are unable to retrieve it, you will still be able to complete the questionnaire by answering questions about your academic background, comfort with course content, and study habits.
Yes, the DSP Questionnaires were created to be completed online.
However, if you would like to complete the DSP Questionnaires in-person we would be happy to assist you at the Testing and Assessment Center located at the Valhalla campus. Assistance is available during the week from Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm. To make an appointment for assistance, email us at [email protected].