College of the Great Smoky Mountains - Southwestern Community College, serving Jackson, Macon, and Swain Counties and Cherokee/ Qually Boundary







Jan Smith
Jan Smith
Testing Coordinator
Enrollment Counselor
B.S., M.A.Ed., Western Carolina University
828.586.4091,  ext. 332
800.447.4091,  ext. 332
1st floor, Balsam Ctr

jans@southwesterncc.edu

 

 

 

Contact SCC Testing Office
for details and test scheduling

 

 

 

 

 

» Accuplacer study guide
and sample test

 

 

 
 
» Admissions Home   » Student Services   » Adobe Certified Associate Testing 

Testing

 

TESTING
Applicants to all degree, diploma and selected certificate programs of study are required to demonstrate competence in the following five areas:
   •  Reading Comprehension
   •  Sentence Skills/Grammar
   •  Arithmetic
   •  Elementary Algebra
   •  Basic Computer Skills

Applicants can satisfy or meet each of the five competencies for initial college level placement as follows:
SATISFIED BY
Accuplacer
Placement Test
SAT
ACT
College Credit
COMPETENCE
AREAS
Minimum Score
Required
Minimum Score
Required
Minimum Score Required
100-level course
> “C” grade
Reading Comprehension CPT Score > 80 Critical Reading > 500 Comp > 21 English course
Sentence Skills/Grammar CPT Score > 86 Critical Reading > 500 Comp > 21 English course
Arithmetic CPT Score > 55 Math > 500 Comp > 21 math course
Elementary Algebra CPT Score > 55
(see 1 below)		 Math > 500 Comp > 21 Algebra course
Basic Computer Skills CPT Score > 15 CPT Score > 15 CPT Score > 15 computer course
Exempt from the Basic Computer Skills Test:
· Students with “College Prep” or “Tech Prep” high school diplomas awarded within six years from the date of intended enrollment are considered to have met this requirement.
· Students with college transfer credit of 100-level course with a grade of > C are considered to have met this requirement.
Not Exempt from the Basic Computer Skills Test:
· High School graduates with diplomas awarded more than six years prior to the date of intended enrollment.
· GED students and high school graduates with “General Prep” or “Occupational Prep” diplomas.

1. ACCUPLACER Placement Test
a) Taking the Test
• Free to all SCC applicants.
• Average test completion time is 1.5 to 2 hours.
• Schedule to take the test by contacting the Testing office.
• A valid photo I.D. is required at the time of testing.
• Test Regulations - Calculators, notebooks, earphones, dictionaries and textbooks are not allowed in the testing room. The testing center will provide scratch paper and a pencil for test takers. All cell phones need to be turned off during testing. Talking to other students is not permitted.
• Distance Learning students (those who do not live in the Jackson, Macon and Swain County area) may contact the SCC Testing Office for assistance in securing a test site near them.
• Test Study Guide - SCC testing study guide and a sample test.
Other Study Guides:
Study Guide (free): www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/accuplacer
Sample Test (free): www.purplemath.com
www.google.com - search for “Accuplacer Practice Test” at no cost
b) Test Results
• Score Report: Upon completion of the test, the student will receive a printed score report. The test administrator and your advisor will help you interpret the scores.
• Time Limit on Use of Scores: Test scores are considered valid for initial placement for a period of three years from the date the assessment was completed.
• Score Interpretation:
1) Reading & Sentence Skills -
• A Reading score of > 80 and Sentence Skills score of > 86, is required for a student take ENG 111.
• A Reading score of > 80 is required to take most College Transfer courses.
• Reading scores of < 80 requires a student to take RED 090.
• Sentence Skills scores of < 86 requires a student to take ENG 090 and ENG 090A.
2) Arithmetic and Elementary Algebra -
• An Arithmetic score of > 55 and Elementary Algebra scores between 55-74, a student may take MAT 080, 110, 115, 121, or 140.
• An Arithmetic score of > 55 and Elementary Algebra scores of > 75, a student may take MAT 141, 151, 161, or 171.
• Math courses above 171 require either higher scores or successful completion of the required prerequisite course or courses. The college may require additional math testing prior to being permitted to take upper level math courses.
• An Arithmetic score of < 55 requires a student to take MAT 060.
• An Elementary Algebra score of < 55 requires a student to take MAT 070.
3) Basic Computer Skills -
• A Basic Computer Skills score of > 15 is required to meet this competency.
• A Basic Computer Skills score of < 15 requires a student to take CIS 070.
• Contact the Testing Office for details.
c) Retest Policy:
• If a student places into a Developmental Education course and feels that the placement test did not adequately reflect skill level, the student may request a retest.
• A student may retest no more than one time for a term.
• If after the retest, the student continues to feel that the test did not adequately reflect skill level and places in the borderline range of 47-50 percentile in Sentence Skills or Reading Comprehension, the student may be permitted to demonstrate proficiency by taking an alternative assessment under the direction of the Dean of Arts & Sciences.
d) Other Placement Tests
• The college accepts ASSET and COMPASS scores. Scores must be sent from the institution administering the test.
• Contact the SCC Testing Office for details.
2. SAT
a) Scores: SAT scores of at least > 500 Verbal (Critical Reading) and > 500 Math are required for tests taken after April 1, 1995.
b) For test scores that fall below the established minimums, the College requires
Developmental Education courses to improve basic skills.
c) The college may require additional math testing prior to being permitted to take upper level math courses. A SAT Math score of > 600 is required to be considered eligible to register for MAT courses at or above 175.
d)

Basic Computer Skills must be met by taking the Basic College Skills Test module of the CPT.

Exempt from Test:
• Students with “College Prep” or “Tech Prep” high school diplomas awarded within six years from the date of intended enrollment are considered to have met this requirement.
• Students with college transfer credit of > 100-level course with a grade of > C are considered to have met this requirement.
Not Exempt from Test:
• High School graduates with diplomas awarded more than six years prior to the date of intended enrollment.
• GED students and high school graduates with “General Prep” or “Occupational Prep” diplomas.
3. ACT
a) Scores: ACT Composite score of > 21 is required for tests taken after April 1, 1995.
b) For test scores that fall below the established minimums, the college requires
Developmental Education courses to improve basic skills.
c) Basic Computer Skills must be met by taking the Basic College Skills Test module of the CPT.
Exempt from Test:
• Students with “College Prep” or “Tech Prep” high school diplomas awarded within six years from the date of intended enrollment are considered to have met this requirement.
• Students with college transfer credit of > 100-level course with a grade of > C are considered to have met this requirement.
Not Exempt from Test:
• High School graduates with diplomas awarded more than six years prior to the date of intended enrollment.
• GED students and high school graduates with “General Prep” or “Occupational Prep” diplomas.
4. College Transfer Credit
a) Submit official transcripts demonstrating successful completion of college-level
algebra, English and computer courses at a regionally accredited college or university.
b) Courses must be at the 100 level or higher, must have a grade of “C” or higher, and must have been completed within the past 10 years. There is no time limit for courses taken by a student at an institution where a degree was received.
c) Courses classified as developmental or remedial will not transfer to SCC but may be used to meet the Placement Test requirements.
d) Official transcripts must be received from the issuing institutions before transfer credit is awarded.
5. HOAE - Health Occupations Aptitude Examination
a) Applicants seeking admission into the following Selective Admission Health Science programs must take the Health Occupations Aptitude Examination: Medical Assisting, Medical Sonography, Nursing Associate Degree, Practical Nursing, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiography and Respiratory Therapy.
b) The HOAE measures abilities, skills, knowledge, and attitudes important for
successful performance in Health Science programs. The resulting scores are one component in the highly competitive health science selection process. A specialized internal scoring system is utilized to accumulate points applied to the selection process. The examination consists of five parts: academic aptitude, spelling, reading comprehension, natural science and vocational adjustment.
c) A $15 nonrefundable fee is charged for test administration and scoring. Applicants must have signed permission from their advisor prior to scheduling and paying for the test.
Test Information:
•
 Test Description
•
 Sample Questions
•
 Sample Solutions
•
 Scoring Information
•

2009-2010 Test Dates . .

Jan 30 test RESCHEDULED for Feb 6 at 12:00 noon instead of 9 a.m.    

» more info
d) Applicants may test once during an academic year. Requests for retest must be approved by the program advisor.
   
Release of Placement Test Scores or HOAE Test Scores
  Placement Test Scores may not be released to any individual other than the student unless otherwise authorized in writing by the student. Request for transfer of test scores may be mailed or faxed to the college. Students are required to show a photo ID before placement scores can be released directly to the student. No fee is charged for scores.
   
Confidentiality:
  Your test scores and the information you provide when taking the test will only be available to the College Board, to Southwestern Community College and to North Carolina Community College System to meet their requirements. The information may be used to document whether or not you met testing requirements. The above agencies may also use it for research and statistical purposes. The test information will not be disclosed for any other purpose without your personal consent and signature. Any questions concerning confidentiality, please see your Test Administrator.
   
Special Accommodations:
  If you have a disability (permanent or temporary) that will affect testing conditions, you should request such accommodations before taking the test. Request for accommodations along with appropriate documentation of disability must be presented to the Director of Student Support Services.


How To Contact The Testing Office
Location: Jackson Campus, Balsam Center
Hours: By Appointment
Telephone: (800) 447.4091 • (828) 586.4091, ext. 332 or 352
Address: 447 College Drive, Sylva, North Carolina 28779

» More about Admissions / Enrollment
 
 Last updated 2/4/10


   
   
 
 
 
Southwestern Community College • 447 College Drive • Sylva, NC 28779
828·586·4091 or 800·447·4091
fax 828·586·3129