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How long does the COMPASS placement test last, and how can I prepare for it?
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May I retest?
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Do I need to schedule an appointment to take the COMPASS placement test?
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What is ASSET, and who takes it?
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Does TTC have a foreign language challenge test?
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How can I sign up to take a CLEP exam?
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What are DANTES DSST's?
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Are there certain rules I must abide by while taking a test?
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Are all certification tests administered in Testing Services?
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What are Excelsior (formerly Regents) College tests?
1. How long does the COMPASS placement test last, and how can I prepare for it?
COMPASS, TTC's placement test, is self-directed and untimed. Most students take about three hours to complete the entire test (writing, reading, math). You may take as little or as long as you wish to complete the test. Some students are tested only in math, while others are tested in reading and writing. While COMPASS is not really a pass/fail test, some programs, Nursing in particular, require high COMPASS placement scores for program admission. If your skills in any of these areas are "rusty," you might want to review a GED Study Guide, go online for COMPASS sample questions or register for a one-day noncredit Refresher class offered through TTC's Division of Continuing Education. Contact the Developmental Studies office at (843) 574-6378 for additional Refresher class information or (843) 574-6152 to register.
For additional information contact Testing Services, Main Campus, Student Center, Building 410, Room 202, or phone (843) 574-6410.
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2. May I retest?
If your COMPASS scores are in the retesting range and extenuating circumstances exist which warrant reassessment, permission may be granted by an Orientation Leader or by your Advisor. For example, a Writing score of 75 and a Reading score of 86 are required for placement into ENG 101; however, your Writing score is 75 and your Reading score is only 81. With approval, you may choose to retest in Reading since the Reading retest range is 79-85. A completed Retest Approval form signed by an Orientation Leader or your Advisor, along with payment of a $25 retesting fee payable at the Business Office, are required prior to retesting. Contact Testing Services to schedule a retesting appointment. Be sure to take your picture ID and the student copy of the Retest Approval form with the Business Office paid receipt to Testing Services in order to retest.
For additional information contact Testing Services, Main Campus, Student Center, Building 410, Room 202, or phone (843) 574-6410.
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3. Do I need to schedule an appointment to take the COMPASS placement test?
Yes, you need to schedule a testing appointment at the campus on which you want to test. Refer to our General Information site for each campus' hours of operation and additional information regarding TTC Student and College Holidays.
For additional information contact Testing Services, Main Campus, Student Center, Building 410, Room 202, or phone (843) 574-6410.
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4. What is ASSET, and who takes it?
ASSET, developed by ACT, is TTC's paper-and-pencil placement test used primarily for off-campus testing in area high schools. Like COMPASS, TTC's on-campus computerized placement test, ASSET helps identify your present strengths and needs in the areas of writing, reading, and math. If your skills in any of these areas are "rusty," you might want to go online for ASSET sample questions.
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5. Does TTC have a foreign language challenge test?
Yes. This test allows students to challenge either 101, 102, 201, or 202 levels of foreign language for credit. The test, consisting of both a writing and listening section, is multiple-choice and approximately one hour in length. To take the foreign placement test, you must obtain an Advanced Standing/Exemption Credit form from Admissions and Records Office and have it signed by your Instructor or Advisor and Dean or Department Head. The signed form is returned to Admissions and Records for posting into the system. A $45 challenge fee payable to Trident Technical College must then be paid at the Business Office. The Advanced Standing/Exemption Credit form and Business Office receipt are required for scheduling a test in Testing Services. Foreign language challenge testing is administered by appointment only. Your test is scored by foreign language faculty who determine if you qualify for course credit.
For additional information or to schedule an appointment, contact Testing Services, Main Campus, Student Center, Building 410, Room 202, or phone (843) 574-6438.
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6. How can I sign up to take a CLEP exam?
The College-Level Examination Program of the College Board is a national system of credit-by-examination. TTC is an open testing center for CLEP examinations. TTC adminsters CLEP examinations throughout the year at its Main Campus, 7000 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston. CLEP examinations allow examinees to demonstrate knowledge relating to specific college courses having similar titles. CLEP examinations are in multiple-choice format and are 90 minutes in duration.
Effective July 1, 2007, a fee of $65 is charged by the College Board for each examination taken. Examination fees are payable by check or money order to College-Level Examination Program on the day of testing.
Effective July 1, 2006, a $16 service fee, paid separately from the CLEP examination fee(s), is payable when the CLEP Registration-Admission form is submitted to Testing Services at TTC. The service fee is nonrefundable and is not transferable to another test date. A service fee mailed with the CLEP Registration-Admission form must be paid by check or money order to Trident Technical College. CLEP Restration-Admission forms submitted without the service fee will be returned to the applicant. To get a better idea of what CLEP is on the College Board website.
For additional information contact Testing Services, Main Campus, Student Center, Building 410, Room 202, or phone (843) 574-6438.
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7. What are DANTES DSST's?
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST's) is a national system of credit by exam consisting of approximately 50 tests in a wide range of introductory college-level academic, vocation/technical, and business subjects. Tests are computer-based, multiple-choice and each are approximately 90 minutes long. A $16 service fee made payable to Trident Technical College is due at the time of registration. A $70 per test fee (effective October 1, 2006), in the form of a credit card (e.g., VISA, Mastercard, American Express), is payable to DSST on the day of the test. No more than two exams may be taken on a given test date. A waiting period of six months is required for retesting. Get a better idea of what DANTES DSST's are like at this link.
For additional information contact Testing Services, Main Campus, Student Center, Building 410, Room 202, or phone (843) 574-6438.
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8. Are there certain rules I must abide by while taking a test?
Yes. While testing you'll have to follow rules set forth by Testing Services and Trident Technical College. Read our Testing Services Rules.
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9. Are all certification tests administered in Testing Services?
No. Testing Services only administers computerized certification tests (e.g., Microsoft, Novell, A+, Cisco, etc.). The Division of Continuing Education (Complex for Industrial and Economic Development, 2001 Mabeline Road, (843) 574-6152) administers certification tests for Life Insurance. For GED and NTE/PRAXIS Prep Course information, contact Continuing Education at (843) 574-6152 or (843) 574-6491. Neither Testing Services nor Continuing Education administer the GED. Contact (803) 734-8347 or go online for GED registration information. For GED practice information go online. For Certified Nurse's Aide (CNA) registration information contact 1-800-273-3517. For Typing Exam registration information contact 1-843-792-7046. Register for the SAT on-line (administered at area high schools) or contact 1-800-728-7267. Go online for ACT registration information and practice questions. Outside agencies also administer some certification tests on the TTC campus (e.g., EPA Waste Water, Pool Maintenance, etc.) For these tests, you must contact the certifying organization for questions regarding test room location.
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10. What are Excelsior College (formerly Regents College) examinations?
Excelsior College (formerly Regents College and ACT-PEP) examinations are multiple-choice credit-by-examination tests. Testing Services does not administer these tests; however, TTC's Admissions and Records Office does award advanced standing credit for students achieving the necessary minimum required score for some of them. Tests are computerized and are administered in area Prometric Testing Centers (formerly Sylvan Technology Centers). Go online to register for an exam or to request a registration packet, or contact 1-888-RCEXAMS. Exam Study Guides can be ordered anytime online or at 1-800-466-1365.
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