(See also: Compass Placement Testing)
Most new students will participate in the College Assessment Testing Program to ensure that all students are as successful as possible in their academic course work. These tests are not admissions tests, but are a battery of tests designed to help the student begin their college experience at the appropriate instructional level and help plan her/his best course of study for college success.
All new students must test unless they meet an exception listed below.
- Students not seeking a degree or certificate may accumulate up to nine credits in courses that do not require an English, reading, or math prerequisite without placement testing. (If a student selects this exemption, then he/she is not eligible to receive Financial Aid because federal guidelines require students be enrolled in an approved course of study).
- Students who enter career studies certificate programs that do not require assessment testing scores may be exempt. (Please see the TNCC catalog to determine these programs.)
- Students not seeking a degree or certificate may accumulate up to nine credits in courses that require an English, reading, or math prerequisite without assessment testing if they furnish proof of successful completion of the prerequisite with a C or higher through an official or unofficial college transcript. (If a student selects this exemption, then he/she is not eligible to receive Financial Aid because federal guidelines require students be enrolled in an approved course of study.)
- Students who have achieved a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited institution must furnish an official or unofficial college transcript. Students seeking this exemption and wanting to enroll in a math class above college-level algebra must furnish proof of successful completion of appropriate pre-requisite math class(es) with a grade of C or higher.
- Students who have achieved an associate’s degree from an accredited institution may be exempt if they furnish an official or unofficial college transcript. Students seeking this exemption and wanting to enroll in a math class above college-level algebra or higher level English class must furnish proof of successful completion of appropriate pre-requisite class(es) with a grade of C or higher .Any deficiencies in these pre-requisites will require that the student take the appropriate placement test.
- Students who have submitted TNCC’s Evaluation of Previous Educational Experience Form demonstrating they have completed college-level English or math with a C or higher may be exempt.
- Students who have successfully completed either the ACT or SAT instrument within three years prior to the time they enroll in either an English or mathematics course at TNCC, must provide a copy of the official scores from ACT or SAT to a TNCC counselor or advisor who will interpret the scores to determine if the student is exempt from the college’s assessment.
The scores that exempt a student from the assessment test at TNCC are:
- ACT Scores in Verbal (Writing and Reading) and Mathematics: 21**
- SAT Scores in Critical Reading (as of 2005 testing) or Verbal (prior to 2005) and Mathematics: 500**
TNCC will allow a student to enroll in college-level English or select mathematics courses as indicated by the scores.
**:With the indicated mathematics scores, students qualify for MTH 105, MTH 106, MTH 115, MTH 116, MTH 120, 126, 151, MTH 152, or 158. If your curriculum requires MTH 163 or higher, you must take the COMPASS/ASSET test in mathematics with an initial domain of College Algebra.
Footnote:
Students with disabilities seeking accommodations should meet with the Disabled Student Services Coordinator to determine appropriate placement testing. |
