Testing and Assessment
The Testing and Assessment Center administers a wide range of campus, state, and national examinations used in student counseling, course placement, research, certification, licensing, and awarding of college credits. The Testing and Assessment Center is located in the Student Services Building, Building 6, on the Pensacola Campus. Testing services are also available in the Student Services offices on the Milton campus, Warrington campus, Century Center, and South Santa Rosa Center.
Information about registration, test dates, fees, etc. for these tests may be obtained on the following websites:
ACT: www.actstudent.org; and
SAT: www.collegeboard.com.
Information may be obtained from the Testing and Assessment Center, Building 6, Pensacola Campus or from Student Services offices on district campus sites or centers. Prospective students may obtain application packets from area school guidance offices.
Prospective students are encouraged to take the ACT or SAT examination and have the scores forwarded to Pensacola State College. ACT and SAT scores, if appropriate, will be recognized for placement purposes.
Placement Testing and Developmental Studies
A recent legislative change may apply to you and your requirements for placement testing and developmental education enrollment. Once you have completed and submitted an admissions application, you will need to determine if you are exempt from placement testing. The rule allows a Florida public high school student who entered Grade 9 in the Florida public school system in the 2003-2004 academic year (or later) and earned the Florida Standard High School Diploma shall not be required to take the common placement test and shall not be required to enroll in developmental education instruction in a Florida College System institution. Additionally, any active duty military service member shall not be required to take the common placement test and shall not be required to enroll in developmental education. Students and active duty service members are encouraged to meet with an advisor to discuss the process for opting out of testing and developmental studies. Students who are not exempt from placement testing and who wish to enroll in college credit English or mathematics courses (Gateway courses) must satisfy placement requirements.
Transfer students may satisfy placement testing requirements through prior coursework. Special students and non-degree seeking students are subject to placement testing requirements if enrolling in writing emphasis courses or mathematics courses.
The Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) is given throughout the year on each campus. An examination schedule may be obtained in Student Services or Testing and Assessment offices. Placement test scores are required before non-exempt students are permitted to attend educational advising sessions, obtain course schedule approval, or register for courses. Questions regarding testing procedures may be directed to the Testing and Assessment Center, Advising Center, or Student Services offices. A valid picture identification is required to obtain test score information and to take any examination.
Students whose placement scores indicate a need for skill review should enroll in developmental studies courses in the first term of enrollment. Students required to take courses in two or more developmental studies disciplines must enroll in SLS1101 College Success, even if the course does not satisfy a requirement for the intended degree. As a required course, SLS1101 College Success is included in the enrollment level calculation (full-time, three-quarter-time, half-time, less than half-time) for the awarding of Title IV (Pell, SEOG, CWS, and Direct Loans).
Students who test into developmental studies instruction must enroll in developmental studies courses by the time they have attempted 12 credit hours. The student must maintain continuous enrollment in at least one developmental studies course each semester until the requirements are completed. Other credit courses may be taken along with the developmental studies course as long as the developmental studies course is not a prerequisite for the credit course. For additional information about this state requirement, please contact an advisor.
Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE)
A recent legislative change may apply to you and your requirements for testing for a certificate program. Once you have completed and submitted an admissions application, please meet with an academic advisor on a campus or center that is convenient for you to discuss whether you might be exempt from testing requirements due to this legislative change. Students enrolling in certificate programs may be required to undergo a skills assessment process using the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE). The TABE assessment is conducted before enrollment or in the first six weeks of enrollment at district campus sites. Students must meet required skill levels in mathematics and/or communications before completion of the vocational program in which they are enrolled.
Students who meet the Developmental Education Exemption requirements (see full description under Testing and Assessment/Placement and Developmental Studies) are exempt from TABE requirements for the certificate programs.
Students who have earned an associate or higher level degree are exempt from TABE requirements for the certificate programs. Students should contact the program director or department head for additional information about the requirements.
General Educational Development (GED) Test
The new 2014 GED test is administered on computer throughout the year at the Testing and Assessment Center on the Pensacola Campus. Information about registration, test dates, fees, etc. may be obtained on the following website: GED: www.ged.com. Additional information may be obtained from the Testing and Assessment Center, Building 6, on the Pensacola Campus.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a nationally developed program for credit-by-examination. Credit may be granted for scores meeting the established criterion score on approved tests. Examination fees are established by the College Board. CLEP application information is available in the college Testing and Assessment Center on the Pensacola campus. Students should consult with a counselor regarding their education plan prior to taking a CLEP examination. Credit awarded for the CLEP test is determined by the state Board of Education.
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT)
The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is a required examination for students to earn a high school diploma from the state of Florida. The FCAT is administered two times a year on dates established by the state. Students anticipating graduation from the Collegiate high School with the standard high school diploma must demonstrate achievement of high school academic skills. Depending upon the academic year in which the student entered high school studies, the method of assessment will differ. The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is being phased out and replaced with state-mandated End-of-Course (EOC) assessments and the new English, Language Arts and Mathematics assessments. High school students are expected to meet with an advisor to determine the appropriate methods of assessment for their particular graduation requirements.
Industry Certification Testing
Some Pensacola State College programs recommend that students pursue industry certification testing. Information about available tests for industry certification may be obtained at the Testing and Assessment Center on the Pensacola Campus, Building 6.