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PLACEMENT TESTING
Bismarck State College uses placement testing to ensure all students begin their college education by taking the right level of courses. Research shows that when students enter the proper sequence of math and English courses, it is not only helpful within these courses, but it also has a beneficial effect on other classes taken.
The purpose of placement testing at Bismarck State College is to match the academic readiness of the incoming student with the academic requirements of the curriculum. If test results do not meet the standards of college-level courses, students are required to register in courses which help them to improve their learning and increase their opportunity to succeed in college.
Although the tests do not affect admission to the college, students will be required to meet established criteria in certain courses and programs.
Exemptions to the placement testing policy are as follows:
• Students who present ACT score reports dated within the last five years.
• Student who present COMPASS or ACCUPLACER score reports dated within the last three years.
• Students who have completed college-level composition and math courses with passing grades below a "C"
are encouraged to take the placement exam.
• Students showing proof of having earned a baccalaureate or higher.
• Students who enroll only in courses on an audit basis or non-degree seeking students.
• Remedial or equivalent courses with a "C" or satisfactory grade.
ACT Exam
The ACT exam is designed to assess high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. The North Dakota Board of Higher Education requires all first time students ages 24 or younger and/or students with less than 24 semester hours of completed college credit to submit ACT placement scores.
2011-2012 ACT TEST DATES
June 9, 2012
Registration for the ACT exam may be done by registering online at www.actstudent.org
COMPASS PLACEMENT EXAM
Bismarck State College requires all students who are 25 or older to submit COMPASS assessment scores in the areas of English, math, and reading, unless exemptions apply. Students with ACT scores more than five years old must also complete the COMPASS Placement Exam. All students who plan to take an English or math course must submit appropriate and current assessment scores prior to enrollment.
COMPASS is a computerized adaptive placement testing system that measures skills in math, reading, and English. Because the exam is adaptive, there is no fixed set of testing questions. Each test is made up of a unique collection of items pulled from a database pool. With no time limit, typically students will spend around 11/2 - 21/2 hours to complete the full test battery. Even though the placement exam is computerized, computer skills are not necessary. COMPASS is user friendly and is designed for individuals with little or no computer experience.
ACCUPLACER EXAM
ACCUPLACER is a computer adaptive placement exam that Bismarck State College has available to Distance Learners. Its purpose is to provide students with useful information about their academic skills. It is not pass/fail; instead, scores will be used to help place students in the level where they will find the most success. Students will have their scores screened for proper placement in English, math, and reading and for admittance into limited enrollment Technical Programs.
ACCUPLACER is for learners of 25 years or older who had not taken the ACT or COMPASS exam. This exam is ideally for non-North Dakota residents. This test is valid from three years from the test date.
ACCUPLACER must be administered in an educational, business, or public setting. For no reason is it ever allowed to be given in a student's home. ACCUPLACER must be administered and supervised by a proctor. Proctors will complete the Proctor Agreement Form to receive the username and password and testing information.
PLACEMENT SCORE REQUIREMENTS:
Students registering for a math or English course must meet certain placement requirements prior to being allowed to register for a college level course. The placement scores have been developed by the departments to reflect the probability of academic success. Each department has designated placement score requirements for both the ACT and COMPASS exams. When testing indicates the need for developmental work, students must successfully complete the developmental sequence as determined by the exam. See below for math and English placement score requirements.
TECHNICAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
Students applying for admission to limited enrollment Technical programs are required to obtain specific placement scores before being accepted in that program. The placement scores are developed to reflect the probability of academic and employment success. Each program has designated placement score requirements for both the ACT and COMPASS exams. Some programs will have a composite placement score, whereas other will have placement scores in specific areas, such as math or English. See below for technical program placement score requirements.
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ACT Placement Scores (document)
File Size: 109.84 kb
COMPASS Placement Scores (document)
File Size: 114.1 kb
Technical Placement Charts (document)
File Size: 77.53 kb
Schedule a COMPASS exam on the Bismarck State College Campus
Testing Location:
Bismarck State College
Schafer Hall
1500 Edwards Ave.
Room 205
Testing Times:
Monday and Wednesdays - 9 a.m. & 5 p.m.
Cost: $15
**Applicants requiring special testing accommodations due to a disability must contact Brenda Nottestad in the Student Accessibility Office at 701-224-2576 or 1-800-445-5073. Requests for accommodations must be made prior to the day of the scheduled exam.
Distance Education students please visit our Online Campus website for specific information about placement testing options near you.
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