Catalog 2013-2014

Selective Admission Examinations

Applicants to certain selective admission programs in health-related fields of study must take the National League for Nursing (NLN) pre-admission examination, the SAT, or the Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test (HOBET-V) to be considered for admission to their desired program of study. Tests must have been administered within five years of the application deadline for the specific program of study to which applicants are seeking admission. Applicants who commit acts of academic dishonesty while taking the selective admissions examination will be charged with violating the college's Academic Honesty Policy (see Academic Honesty Policy).

Applicants to the Nursing program must take the NLN Pre-admission RN Examination to receive consideration for admission to that program. Applicants to the Medical Assisting and Practical Nursing programs must take the NLN Pre-admission PN Examination to receive consideration for admission to those programs. The NLN pre-admission examination assesses what applicants have learned to date. The test has three sections, all consisting of multiple-choice questions:

  • Verbal skills/reading comprehension – assesses word knowledge through sentence completion and reading comprehension and assesses the ability to draw conclusions, make inferences, and apply information to new situations
  • Mathematics – assesses arithmetic (integers, fractions, decimals, and percentages) and basic algebraic and geometric skills
  • Science – assesses knowledge of biology, human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and health

Applicants to Medical Assisting, Nursing, and Practical Nursing are encouraged to take the NLN pre-admission examination after they successfully complete coursework in anatomy and physiology (ALHS 1011 at the diploma level or BIOL 2113/BIOL 2113L and BIOL 2114/BIOL 2114L at the associate degree level), English (ENGL 1010 at the diploma level or ENGL 1101 at the associate degree level), mathematics (MATH 1012 at the diploma level or MATH 1100, MATH 1101, MATH 1111, or MATH 1127 at the associate degree level), and other general core/education course requirements. Completing these courses prior to taking the NLN preadmission examination better prepares students for the content covered on the examination and may aid them in improving their test scores. Students may not register for the NLN exam until any necessary learning support classes are complete.

National League for Nursing policy recommends that test administrators not allow applicants to retake the NLN pre-admission examination any sooner than six months from the previous test date. Websites and other resources to prepare for the NLN pre-admission examination are on the college website.

To register for the NLN exam, students must complete the following steps:

  • Obtain a NLN registration form from the Testing Services Office on the Athens Campus or on the college website.
  • Select the desired testing date and confirm the required registration deadline.
  • Complete the required registration form.
  • Submit the non-refundable $95 payment to the cashier at the Athens Campus or via phone at 706-355-5121.
  • Submit Copies of the completed registration form and proof of payment to the Testing Services Office located in H-749 on or before the published deadline

Applicants must show a photo identification to gain entrance to the testing session. Additional information about the NLN pre-admission examination is available by phone at (706) 583-2728 or by email at testing@athenstech.edu. Exam preparation information is available at the Testing Services Office located on the Athens Campus in Room H-749 or on the college website.

Applicants to the Radiography and Veterinary Technology program must submit current SAT scores to be considered for admission to those programs. The SAT is primarily a multiple-choice test that measures developed critical reading/verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities related to successful performance in college. The SAT provides a standardized measure designed to supplement the secondary school record and other information about students in assessing their readiness for college-level work.

Educational Testing Services recommends that testing administrators allow applicants to competitive health programs to retake the institutionally administered SAT no sooner than six months from the previous test date. (Applicants cannot use scores earned on the institutionally administered version of the SAT to seek admission to other colleges). Restrictions on the frequency with which applicants can take the nationally administered SAT do not exist. Applicants interested in taking the nationally administered SAT exam can obtain additional information and suggested resources to prepare for the examination from the SAT website at www.collegeboard.org. Applicants must register in advance with the Testing Services Office on the Athens Campus in order to take the SAT. To register for the Institutional SAT exam, students must complete the following steps:

  • Obtain a SAT registration form from the Testing Services Office on the Athens Campus or on the college website.
  • Select the desired testing date and confirm the required registration deadline.
  • Complete the required registration form.
  • Submit the non-refundable $60 payment to the cashier at the Athens Campus or via phone at 706-355-5121.
  • Submit copies of the completed registration form and proof of payment to the Testing Services Office located in Room H-749 on or before the published deadline.

Applicants must show or other photo identification to gain entrance to the testing session. Additional information about the SAT examination is available by phone at (706) 583-2728 or by email at testing@athenstech.edu.

Applicants to the Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Technician, Health Information Technology, Phlebotomy Technician, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Surgical Technology programs must take the HOBET-V examination. This examination is a 209-minute, 170-item assessment consisting of questions in reading, mathematics, science, and English and language usage.

To register for the Institutional HOBET exam, students must complete the following steps:

  • Obtain a HOBET registration form from the Testing Services Office on the Athens Campus or on the college website.
  • Select the desired testing date and confirm the required registration deadline.
  • Complete the required registration form.
  • Submit the non-refundable $95 payment to the cashier at the Athens Campus or via phone at 706-355-5121.
  • Submit copies of the completed registration form and proof of payment to the Testing Services Office located in Room H-749 on or before the published deadline.

Applicants must show photo identification to gain entrance to the testing session. Additional information about the HOBET V examination is available by phone at (706) 583-2728 or by email at testing@athenstech.edu.