Student Services, Resources and Activities

Assessment

Assessment and Certification Centers

Each campus has a comprehensive assessment and certification center offering a full range of services during the day and evening. Limited testing services are available at other locations as well. The College’s centers are authorized testing sites for ACT, SAT, VUE, Certiport and Prometric. For complete and current assessment information visit the assessment and certification Web page.

Earn College Credits by Examination

Students may earn up to 45 semester hours credit toward an associate’s degree through credit-by-examination. This may be a combination of International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES subject standardized tests (DSST), Excelsior and/or transfer credit. Credit not counted within this 45-hour limit may be obtained by participation in the Proficiency Examination Program (PEP). For more information regarding the following tests, contact the campus assessment and certification center.

Advanced Placement Test (AP) is a nationally developed program for acquiring college credit while enrolled in high school. The test is administered through the high schools and credit is granted by the college for scores of three, four or five on approximately 30 approved tests. Score reports may be submitted for evaluation to any campus assessment and certification center.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is a Geneva-based program of study offered through high schools throughout the world. The program consists of a comprehensive system of courses and examinations that focus on the development of a high quality liberal arts education. Florida Community College may award up to a maximum of 30 semester hours of credit.

Excelsior College Examination Program (formerly known as Regents College Exams or the Proficiency Examination Program), is a nationally developed program approved by the American Council on Education. The tests are administered locally by Sylvan/Prometric testing centers and credit is granted for grades of “B” or “C” on eight approved tests. Score reports may be submitted for evaluation to any campus assessment and certification center.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a nationally developed program for credit-by-examination. Credit is granted for scores equating to a “B” or “C” passing level on approximately 25 tests approved by the State Board of Education. Fees are set by the College Entrance Examination Board. This computerized test is administered by appointment at any campus assessment and certification center. Score reports may be submitted for evaluation to any campus assessment and certification center.

DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) is a program developed by the Department of Defense for awarding credit by examination under the auspices of Defense Activity for Non-traditional Educational Support (DANTES). Military personnel may obtain information, applications and a list of approved tests from the Navy Campus for Achievement (NCFA) offices on local Navy bases or education offices in other branches of the military service. Fees are set by DANTES. Non-military students may contact the campus assessment and certification centers for information concerning registration, tests and fees. Students may submit credit earned through DANTES for Florida Community College credit evaluation through any campus assessment and certification center. Credit is awarded for scores equating to a “B” or “C” as approved by the State Board of Education.

College Credit Entry Placement Testing

If you are entering Florida Community College for the first time as a college-credit degree seeking student, you will take the Accuplacer College Placement Test (CPT), unless you have taken the ACT or SAT in the last two years or have prior college coursework in reading, English and mathematics. The following ACT scores are accepted: 18 or higher on the reading, 17 or higher on the English and 19 or higher on the mathematics. The following SAT scores are accepted: 440 on the verbal or critical reading and 440 on the mathematics.

The CPT was developed by the College Board, with the help of committees of college professors, to provide information about college student’s level of skill accomplishment in reading, English, and mathematics that is required for success in college. By assessing ability levels in these areas, the CPT helps to determine the English, mathematics, and reading courses most appropriate for success in college.

There are three areas of the assessment: Reading Comprehension, Sentence Skills and Elementary Algebra. Each area is untimed, multiple choice and administered on computer; some individuals will take an additional timed reading assessment on paper and/or an untimed college level mathematics test on computer.

After completing a Florida Community College membership application for admission, you may take the CPT any time at the campus assessment and certification center nearest you. No appointment is necessary as long as you show up at least three hours before closing time. The CPT is administered in the assessment and certification center at Downtown Campus, Kent Campus, North Campus, South Campus, Deerwood Center, the military bases in Jacksonville, and Nassau Center. Individuals may sit for the CPT once without charge. After the first sitting, students may elect to retake the CPT one more time. The retake must be done prior to the first term of enrollmenet in general education courses. The second sitting fee for all students is $17.

In certain Florida Community College programs (allied health, law enforcement and corrections, for example), an academic skills test may be required. The Health Occupations Test (HOT), Nursing Aptitude Test (NAT) and Florida's Criminal Justice Basic Ability Test for Law Enforcement (CJBAT) are examples of such tests. The program advisor for each program has information on these test requirements.

College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) is a statewide test of college level communication and computation skills developed by the state of Florida. The CLAST, a CLAST exemption or a CLAST waiver are required for graduation with an Associate in Arts degree. Refer to the “Associate in Arts Degree” section for a more detailed description.

Registration and additional information on CLAST is available at any campus assessment and certification center.

The Information Literacy Assessment (ILAS) is designed to assess a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and to have the ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively use the needed information. The assessment is a graduation requirement for those students who enter Florida Community College under the 2004 Catalog or after, and are seeking an A.A., A.S. and/or A.A.S. degree.

The Information Literacy Assessment has six modules:

• Module 1: Identify the need for information
• Module 2: Select the most appropriate information retrieval system
• Module 3: Acquire pertinent information
• Module 4: Evaluate the information obtained
• Module 5: Manipulate it in a usable form
• Module 6: Communicate the information

The following guidelines apply to those students who are required to take the Information Literacy Assessment:

• Students must achieve satisfactory scores on all six modules of the Information Literacy Assessment prior to the awarding of an A.A., A.S. and/or A.A.S. degree.
• Students may retake the examination until they have received a satisfactory score on all six modules. Credit is given for receiving a satisfactory score on any given module during any attempt; i.e., once a module has been passed it will not have to be retaken.
• Several methods of test preparation are available. These include the availability of an online course in Information Literacy which may be taken for one credit or for non-credit, campus-based workshops, and printed materials. In addition, Information Literacy concepts are included in some Florida Community College college credit courses.
• The Information Literacy Assessment is available online at each of the campus assessment and certification centers. It is administered on a walk-in-basis or by appointment. Students may contact any campus assessment center to register.
• Additional information on the Information Literacy Assessment is available in each of the campus assessment and certification centers, including the required passing score on each of the six modules. Students can register for the Information Literacy Assessment any semester.
• Students with a disability may request assistance to complete the Information Literacy Assessment. Assistance is obtained through the disabled student specialist on any campus. All requests must be accompanied with appropriate documentation.

College Placement Testing for Non-Credit Programs

Florida Community College’s assessment and certification centers administer placement testing for those individuals entering adult studies programs: Polytechnic Academy, Adult Basic Education (ABE), High School Eqivalency, and Adult High School (AHS). Campus assessment and certification centers also administer the entry-level test of basic skills required of all students entering postsecondary adult vocational programs of 180 hours and above.

Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE)

Assessment and certification centers administer the state required TABE to those enrolled in Workforce Credit Certificate programs of 450 or more contact hours. Usually students take the test within the first six weeks of enrollment, however, some programs require TABE testing prior to program entry. The TABE is also a state requirement for those entering selected adult studies programs.

Florida High School Competency Test (HSCT)

The Florida High School Competency Test is required of high school completion students. Refer to the high school completion section of this catalog for further details.

GED® Test

The GED® Test is a battery of five tests administered at each college campus on a regularly scheduled basis to individuals who are at least 18 years of age, out of school, citizens of the United States or resident aliens and Florida residents. The exam is administered for a minimal fee and upon request at any campus assessment and certification center.

Specialized Tests

Career Assessments

Career testing is available at each campus. Aptitude, interest and personality tests are available and can provide information useful to career decision making. Contact the campus career development counselor or assessment and certification center for further details.

Proctored and Institutional Testing Services

Testing is provided to those individuals and companies who need secure testing conditions, such as testing for a correspondence course. Arrangements for testing services and fees may be made through the assessment and certification centers in advance of the testing date.

Specialized Tests for Professional Licensures and Certifications

American Council on Exercise (ACE) tests are administered annually for aerobics instructors, personal trainers and orthopedic technologists.

Accredited Record Technician (ART) and Medical Record Coding Specialist (CCS and CCS-P) Certifications are administered to individuals seeking professional licensure. The tests are given annually. For more information, contact Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. at 913.541.0400.

Automotive Service of Excellence Certification (ASE) tests are administered twice annually to automotive technicians meeting the requirements for certification or recertification.

Certified Professional Food Manager Certification is a professional stamp of approval for individuals working in the food service industry. The test is administered upon request of the culinary arts department.

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a standard of professional and academic excellence among investment practitioners administered annually.

The Optional Child Care Pre-test is an optional state-developed exemption test designed for those employed in child care settings who are required to complete the Florida Department of Children and Families 20-hour child care worker training course. The exemption test can be taken only once and covers the following four modules:

1. state and local rules and regulations which govern child care
2. health, safety and nutrition
3. child abuse and neglect — identifying and reporting
4. child growth and development — birth through 12 years old

Child care personnel can be exempt from any of the four training modules by successfully completing the module pre-test with an 80 percent or better score.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is a vocational assessment administered monthly to commercial radio operators for licensing.

Florida Food Manager Certification Examination is administered by the assessment and certification centers to managers in establishments serving the public so they may be certified to help protect everyone’s health, safety, and welfare. This exam requires a fee. For information call 813.974.1525.

Florida Teacher Certification Exam is administered four times a year. Application packets can be picked up at any assessment and certification center.

Information Technology (IT) Testing is provided at campus assessment and certification centers. Current offerings include, but are not limited to:

American College Avaya, Inc. Brocade Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) Cisco Systems Comp TIA (A+) Florida Department of Insurance Ericsson IBM/Lotus/Tivoli Informix Software

J.D. Edwards Linux Professional Institute Lucent Technologies Macromedia MetaSolv Solutions, Inc. Microsoft Novell PeopleSoft Inc. Sair Linux Siebel Systems

Keyboarding skill assessments of speed and precision are administered on an ongoing basis.

The Nursing Assistant Certification Examination is given to individuals seeking state certification in the nursing assistant profession. Registration for the test is through Assessment Services Inc. (ASI). For information and registration call 1.888.204.8250. There is both a written and skills based assessment, which is administered on a regular basis at North Campus.

Nursing Certification Examinations are administered on a regular basis for enterostomal therapy nurses, wound care nurses, ostomy care nurses, continence care nurses and hospice nurses.

Sanitation and Safety Management Examination is administered by the assessment and certification center to students entering entry-level employment in the food service industry.

The State Emissions Recertification Test is administered to emission inspectors requesting recertification.

GED® and GED Testing Service® are registered trademarks of the American Council on Education (ACE). They may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of ACE or GED Testing Service. The GED® and GED Testing Service® brands are administered by GED Testing Service LLC under license from the American Council on Education.