Testing and Assessment
The Testing and Assessment Center administers a wide range of campus, state, and national examinations used in student counseling, course placement, research, certification, licensing, and awarding of college credits. The Testing and Assessment Center is located in the Student Services Building, Building 6, on the Pensacola campus. Testing services are also available in the Student Services offices on the Milton campus, Warrington campus, Century Center, and South Santa Rosa Center.
ACT and SAT
Information about registration, test dates, fees, etc. may be obtained on the following websites:
ACT: www.actstudent.org; and
SAT: www.collegeboard.com.
Information may be obtained from the Testing and Assessment Center, Building 6, Pensacola campus or from Student Services offices on district campus sites or centers. A prospective student may obtain application packets from area school guidance offices.
A prospective student is encouraged to take the ACT or SAT examination and have the scores forwarded to Pensacola State College. ACT and SAT scores, if appropriate, will be recognized for placement purposes.
Placement Testing and Developmental Education
Pensacola State College offers the Post-Secondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) to determine placement into college-level courses.
Due to a recent legislative change, a student may be exempt from the required placement testing and developmental education. Per the rule a Florida public high school student who entered Grade 9 in the Florida public school system in the 2003-2004 academic year (or later) and earned the Florida Standard High School Diploma shall not be required to take the common placement test and shall not be required to enroll in developmental education instruction in a Florida College System institution. Additionally, any active duty military service member shall not be required to take the common placement test and shall not be required to enroll in developmental education. After the successful completion and submission of the College’s admission application, a student or active duty service member is encouraged to meet with an advisor to determine eligibility for testing exemption and discuss the process for opting out of testing and developmental education.
A student who is not exempt from placement testing and who wishes to enroll in college credit English or mathematics courses (Gateway courses) must satisfy placement requirements through testing. The following tests meet the State of Florida’s Placement requirements and any of these scores (active scores less than 2-years old) are accepted for placement at Pensacola State College: ACT, SAT, CPT or Post-Secondary Education Readiness Test (PERT).
Transfer students may satisfy placement testing requirements through prior coursework and/or successful completion of an acceptable placement exam (ACT, SAT, CPT or PERT).
Special Students and Non-Degree Seeking Students are subject to placement testing requirements if enrolling in writing emphasis or mathematics courses.
A student whose placement scores indicate a need for skill review should enroll in developmental education courses in the first semester of enrollment. A student with test results indicating the need for 2 or more developmental education courses should also enroll in SLS1101 (College Success) even if this course does not satisfy a requirement for the intended degree. A student who tests into developmental education courses should enroll in these courses by the time they have attempted 12 credit hours. A student must maintain continuous enrollment in at least one developmental course each semester until the requirements are completed. A student may take other credit courses along with the developmental education course as long as the developmental education course is not a prerequisite for the credit course. For additional information, please contact an advisor.
Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE)
Pensacola State College offers the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) to determine skills assessment for participation in some Vocational Certificate programs.
A recent legislative change (see Placement Testing and Developmental Education) may apply to a student and his or her placement requirements for a certificate program. After the successful completion and submission of the college’s admission application, a student or active duty service member is encouraged to meet with an advisor to determine eligibility for testing exemption and discuss the process for opting out of testing and developmental studies.
A student who meets the Developmental Education Exemption requirements (see Placement Testing and Developmental Education) are exempt from TABE requirements for the certificate programs. Also, a student who has earned an Associate Degree or higher is exempt from TABE requirements.
The TABE assessment is conducted before enrollment (or within the first 6-weeks of enrollment) at district campus sites. A student must meet the required skill levels in mathematics and/or communications before completion of the vocational program in which his or her are enrolled. A student should contact the program director or department head for additional information about the requirements.
General Educational Development (GED) Test
The new 2014 GED test is administered on computer throughout the year at the Testing and Assessment Center on the Pensacola campus. Information about registration, test dates, fees, etc. may be obtained on the following website: GED: www.ged.com. Additional information may be obtained from the Testing and Assessment Center, Building 6, on the Pensacola campus.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a nationally developed program for credit-by-examination. Credit may be granted for scores meeting the established criterion score on approved tests. Examination fees are established by the College Board. CLEP application information is available in the College Testing and Assessment Center on the Pensacola campus. A student should consult with a counselor regarding his or her education plan prior to taking a CLEP examination. Credit awarded for the CLEP test is determined by the State Board of Education.
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT)
The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is being phased out and replaced with the state-mandated End-Of-Course (EOC) assessments and the new English, Language Arts and Mathematics assessments Florida Standards Assessment (FSA). A high school student is expected to meet with an advisor to determine the appropriate methods of assessment for his or her particular graduation requirements.
Industry Certification Testing
Some Pensacola State College programs recommend that a student pursue industry certification testing. Information about available tests for industry certification may be obtained at the Testing and Assessment Center on the Pensacola campus, Building 6.
More detailed information about additional tests offered may be found on the Pensacola State College website at www.pensacolastate.edu (Testing and Assessment link on the Students page).