About Testing Services

Testing Services supports students with completing the placement process at MiraCosta College. Additionally, Testing Services houses the Academic Proctoring Center (APC), a unique proctoring service for MiraCosta students as well as students from other institutions in need of a certified proctoring center. 

Placement 

MiraCosta College’s placement process uses multiple measures (high school GPA, math and English courses, and grades) along with intended major to provide students with information on the best math and English courses to get them on their way to achieving their educational goals.

Students provide their intended major and multiple measures information (high school GPA, coursework, and grades) during the application process. This information is utilized to generate an automated placement for math and English, which can be found within the SURF Student Center via the Course Placement & Guidance tile. 

 Students who do not provide their multiple measures information on the application can complete the placement process by doing any one of the following:

• Submitting an official or unofficial high school transcript to Testing Services.
• Completing the Multiple Measures Self-Report Update Form.
• Completing a guided self-placement tool for English or ESL course placement.

English & ESL self-placement tools can be requested through Testing Services to be completed online or in-person at our three Testing Center locations. 

Testing Services proctors the prerequisite challenge process for Languages (French, Italian, Spanish, or Japanese) and Chemistry. These challenge processes are offered via appointment at all three campus locations. More information on these challenges can be found on our website.

Academic Proctoring Center

MiraCosta Testing's Academic Proctoring Center (APC) provides on-ground proctoring for students enrolled in online courses at MiraCosta that have an on-ground testing requirement, as noted in the class schedule. The APC works collaboratively with students, faculty, and outside organizations to help arrange exam proctoring for out-of-area MiraCosta students who need exams proctored at eligible sites across the world. Additionally, the APC provides instructor-authorized makeup exam services for students who cannot make a scheduled exam for their on-ground or online class due to extenuating circumstances.

Testing accommodations are available to students referred by Student Accessibility Services. MiraCosta College serves as a test center for the PearsonVue GED test and, by individual arrangement, proctors external examinations for non-students and community members.

Please note: Physical photo identification is required for all testing in the APC.

Testing Center Locations and Contact Information 

• Oceanside Campus, Building 14,  Second Floor, Room 14215. Phone: 760.795.6685
• San Elijo Campus, Room 1114. Phone: 760.944.4449, ext. 7752
• Community Learning Center, Room 312. Phone: 760.757.2121, ext. 8841

California Equitable Placement Legislation

Research shows that students are more likely to complete transfer requirements in math and English when placed and enrolled directly in transfer-level coursework. Passed in 2017, Assembly Bill (AB) 705 requires California community colleges to maximize the probability that a student will enter and complete transfer-level coursework in English and math within a one-year timeframe. AB 1705 goes even further, aiming to close equity gaps by ensuring that students who plan on getting a degree, certificate, or transferring are placed directly into a transfer-level course that meets the requirement for a student’s intended educational goal. AB 1705 mostly affects students whose educational goals require a calculus course.

More information about California placement legislation is available on the AB 705 webpage.