The Virginia Placement Test (VPT) for English

Getting Ready to Register for English Courses:

  • You must submit your application for admission to NOVA before taking the placement test.
  • You must take an English placement test before enrolling in any English course. NOTE: Many other courses require a qualifying score on the English placement test before enrolling.

Learning About the Virginia Placement Test (VPT) for English:

  • The Virginia Placement Test for English is an adaptive, computerized, untimed test. Please be aware that this test can require two to three hours to complete. We recommend that students not take the VPT for Math and the VPT for English on the same day.
  • English test scores are valid for two years.
  • One retest is allowed within 12 months of the initial attempt on the Virginia Placement Test, if taken before you enroll in any English course.

Completing Your Review Process:

  • The importance of reviewing material that you have previously studied cannot be over emphasized.
  • The placement test is not an admissions test or an aptitude test.
  • The test measures how well you demonstrate skills. *Your score indicates the courses you are prepared to take.
  • Not reviewing before taking the placement test could possibly place you in a course that is at a lower than your actual skill level, costing you time and money.
  • Starting your review process early will give you enough time to practice so that you can feel confident of doing your best on the placement test.

Accessing the Online Free VPT Practice Test:
(This test can be taken on any computer with an Internet connection and browser.)

  1. Go to
  2. At the login, click Student Registration and enter the following:
  3. Institution: Select VCCS Practice Test Institution from the drop down box
  4. Site: VCCS
  5. Password:Virginiapt
  6. Complete the Student Registration Form noting the following:
    • Student ID Field:
  7. Use a random combination of letters and numbers for the Student ID field. Do not use your Empl/SIS ID.

• Email Address:

  • Since the VCCS email address will be used for the “real” test; the VCCS email address should NOT be entered when registering for the practice test.
  • An alternate email should be used so that the student can receive an auto-generated email containing the logon and password info to resume the practice test if it isn’t completed in one sitting. (For example, use your gmail, hotmail, aol, or other personal email account.)
  1. Click on Submit.
  2. You will be taken immediately to the testing dashboard. The test can be taken on any computer with an Internet connection and browser.
  3. VPT-English Practice Exam addresses the content of English Units 1-6 and 8.
  4. Click on VPT-English Practice Exam to begin the exam.
  5. Click on “VPT-English Practice Exam” link after completing the test in order to view the score report. A score report will appear.
  6. Click on each item number to view the item, the correct answer, and the answer that was chosen.
  7. Click on skill for additional information.

You may take the practice test multiple times, if you wish. Each time it may be slightly different.