ATTENTION: THE TESTING CENTER ON THE WHARTON CAMPUS OF WCJC HAS RELOCATED TO THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE HODGES LIBRARY BUILDING. PLEASE REPORT TO THAT LOCATION FOR TESTING SERVICES.

Current Testing Schedule

Types of Tests Offered

The college testing center staff administers a variety of tests and assessments to help students achieve their academic, personal and vocational goals. Testing services include:

• COMPASS PLACEMENT TEST*
• ASSET PLACEMENT TEST*
• GED (General Education Development)
• CLEP (College Level Examination Program)
• ACT (local use only—see ACT website for national testing information)
• Nelson-Denny Reading Test
• Pre-TASP Reading Test
• Correspondence Tests

*Indicates a test used to satisfy Texas Success Initiative (TSI) require

Test Information

Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

Students attending Texas public institutions of higher education must be in compliance with the Texas Success Initiative (TSI), as of fall 2003 (Texas Education Code §51.3062) in order to enroll in public institutions of higher education. The law requires all entering college students to be assessed for college readiness in reading, mathematics and writing unless the student qualifies for an exemption. Each student who fails to meet the minimum passing standard of the exam offered by the institution must be placed in a developmental education program designed to help the student achieve college readiness.

Texas Success Initiative Exemptions

A student may be exempt from meeting Texas Success Initiative standards by meeting one of the following standards.

• SAT combined Math and Critical Reading scores of 1070 with at least 500 on each of the two parts. (Test taken no more than 5 years ago)
• ACT composite score of 23 with at least 19 on the Math and 19 on the English scores. (Test taken no more than 5 years ago)
• TAKS exit-level Math score of 2200 and English/Language Arts score of 2200 and Writing essay score of 3. (Test taken no more than 3 years ago)
• Students serving on active duty as a member of the US armed forces, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the US armed forces and have been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment.
• Students who on or after August 1, 1990, were honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces, the Texas National Guard, or serve as a member of a reserve component of the US armed forces.
• An earned degree, associates or higher, from a Texas public college or university.
• A student who transfers to an institution from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and who has satisfactorily completed college-level coursework as determined by the receiving institution

TSI Exam Results

Students who do not pass one or all parts (English, mathematics, reading, and writing) of a TSI exam must enroll in an appropriate developmental education course before the student may enroll in a credit bearing course for the subject in which he/she did not meet state standards.

Minimum Passing Standards for TSI Exams

COMPASS EXAM:

Reading--- 81, Algebra (Not Pre-Algebra), --- 39, Writing (objective section)--- 59, Written Essay---6 (the minimum passing standard for the written essay portion of the COMPASS is a score of 6. However, an essay score of 5 will meet this standard if the objective writing score is a 59 or above.

STUDENTS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO REVIEW PRIOR TO TAKING THE COMPASS EXAM.

ACT offers sample exam questions at http://www.act.org/compass/sample/. Dozens of other websites offer free COMPASS practice exams or study guides.

ASSET EXAM:

Reading--- 41, Algebra (Not Pre-Algebra), ---38, Writing (objective section)---40, Written Essay ---6 (the minimum passing standard for the written essay portion of the ASSET is a score of 6. However, an essay score of 5 will meet this standard if the objective writing score is a 40or above.)

Vocational-Interest Testing

Career interest tests and personality tests are available in the Career Center to students who wish to utilize them in their exploration of their vocational interests, special aptitudes, and career decisions.

GED (General Education Development) Test Center

GED tests are available at the WCJC Testing Center at the Wharton, Sugar Land, Bay City and Fort Bend Technical Center Richmond campuses. To be eligible to test, a person must be a Texas resident and at least 18 years of age (17 with parental consent) plus a withdrawal form from the last high school attended, or 16 with a court order.

Resources

Free ACT/SAT Practice Tests
http://www.testprepreview.com/ged_practice.htm

Contact

Testing locations and schedules vary. For more information, contact the Office of Student Services, Testing Office: http://www.wcjc.edu/admin_offices_n/Student_Services/Testing_Services/testing.asp

 

Advisory

The current 2002 GED Test Series will be retired at the end of the year 2013 and be replaced on January 2, 2014. If you have not already done so, please take notice of this date. Incomplete or insufficient GED scores from the 2002 series will no longer be valid after December 31, 2013. We encourage you to complete your preparation and testing as soon as possible.