Directed Self-Placement (DSP) Questionnaire
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.
Steps to Complete the DSP Questionnaires:
Step 1 - Request the DSP Questionnaires.
To complete the request form for the DSP Questionnaires, your application must be processed by the Admissions Office and you must have your nine-digit (ex. 000123456) Student ID number. 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 MyWCCHelpdesk@sunywcc.edu.
After submitting the request form, you will be sent the DSP Questionnaires within one to two business days, depending on the volume of requests. The DSP Questionnaires will be sent to the email you provided on the request form. You will receive two separate emails containing the DSP Questionnaires for Mathematics and English & Reading. Please complete BOTH DSP Questionnaires when you receive them.
The email subject lines will be Westchester Community College | Math Directed Self-Placement Questionnaire and Westchester Community College | English & Reading Directed Self-Placement Questionnaire.
If you do not receive the DSP Questionnaires within three business days, 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 not have received it, please contact the Testing and Assessment Office at testingcenter@sunywcc.edu
Please note that college business days are Monday through Friday. If you request the Questionnaires between Friday and Sunday, you will receive the Questionniares the following week.
Step 2 - Please complete BOTH the Mathematics Questionnaire AND English & Reading Questionnaire.
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.
Step 3 - Congratulations, your next step is to speak with an Academic Counselor!
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 MyWCCHelpdesk@sunywcc.edu.
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 Registrar@sunywcc.edu.
If you have any questions about the placement process, please contact testingcenter@sunywcc.edu.
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 disability.services@sunywcc.edu.
Directed Self-Placement (DSP) FAQ
Who is eligible to take the Directed Self- Placement (DSP) Questionnaire?
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.
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).
What do you need to take the Directed Self-Placement (DSP) Questionnaire?
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 MyWCCHelpdesk@sunywcc.edu.
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.
How many times can I take the DSP Questionnaires?
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
Do I need to take both DSP Questionnaires even though I am waived from one portion?
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.
Can I complete the DSP Questionnaires more than once?
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
What are the Technology Requirements to complete the DSP Questionnaire?
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.
Do I need my high school transcript or the results of any standardized exams to complete the DSP Questionnaires?
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.
May I complete the DSP Questionnaires virtually?
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 Testingcenter@sunywcc.edu.
Contact Information
Email: testingcenter@sunywcc.edu
Location: Library/Learning Resource Center, Ground Floor