Testing

Testing

ACT Testing (National and Residual)

Registration for the National ACT test must be done online at www.act.org. Students taking the Residual ACT must contact the Admissions Office. All students planning to take either of these tests may contact the Admissions Office for additional information.

ASSET Testing

ASSET testing is administered in group settings when possible and is used mainly as a placement tool for eligible students. Students must have been out of high school for more than five years in order to be eligible to utilize this test for admission purposes; otherwise, the test may only be used for placement purposes. For additional information regarding this testing procedure, contact the Admissions Office.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Concord University awards credit based on scores earned on the College-Level Examination Program. The University considers scores for credit for both the General Examinations and the Subject Examinations.

The General Examinations are objective tests that measure achievement in five basic areas of the liberal arts: English composition, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences-history. The Subject Examinations measure achievement in specific college courses.

Students must receive satisfactory scores on the CLEP Examination in order to be awarded credit. Additional information on CLEP may be obtained by contacting the Registrar.

Credit by Examination

A Concord University student in special circumstances may be permitted to obtain credit by examination for a course listed in the Catalog. The final decision of whether or not such an examination is given remains the prerogative of the appropriate department.

The student shall make a written application to the appropriate departmental chairperson in order to explain the reason(s) for the request. This department will form a committee that consists of at least two persons who will screen the applicant's request and determine its merits. Should the application be granted, this same committee will then administer the examination and evaluate the student's performance. The committee will assign a grade of A, B, C, D, or F, and that grade will be recorded with the Registrar.

Application for such an examination, if approved, must be accompanied by a $50.00 registration fee. A student must be enrolled at Concord to apply. The examination must be scheduled before the end of the semester in which registration takes place.

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) Testing

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) is a credit-by-exam program administered by the U.S. Department of Defense for military personnel on military installations. DSST exams represent 37 subjects in the following broad areas: Applied Technology, Business, Humanities, Mathematics, Physical Science, and Social Sciences. Students must earn passing scores on the DSST exams to be awarded credit by Concord University.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Testing

The GRE subject tests gauge undergraduate achievement in eight specific fields of study: biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, chemistry, computer science, literature in English, mathematics, physics and psychology. The subject-based tests are used by some graduate schools to supplement undergraduate grades and are useful for identifying strengths and weaknesses in specific areas within a discipline. Some schools may require that a subject test be completed along with the general GRE. The tests are administered at Concord University in April, November and December. Concord University also offers services with test takers for disabilities. Fee waivers are available if eligibility requirements are met. For more information on the GRE subject based test, contact the Career Services Office or www.gre.org. For information concerning the GRE general test, which is computer based, contact www.gre.org.

PRAXIS Tests (Teacher Certification)

All teacher candidates for a Bachelor of Science in Education must successfully complete PRAXIS:  Core Academic Skills for Educators prior to admission to the Teacher Education Program. Students who have successfully completed EDUC 210 , EDUC 301  and EDUC 305 , but who have not successfully passed PRAXIS:  Core Academic Skills for Educators, must meet with the Director of Teacher Education in order to receive permission to continue taking education courses. Teacher candidates must also successfully complete Praxis II: Subject Assessments (some specializations require more than one subject assessment) and Principles of Learning and Teaching Test (PLT) prior to admission to student teaching. Candidates should consult their academic adviser in Education for information regarding specific tests and required passing scores.

PRAXIS:  CORE ACADEMIC SKILLS FOR EDUCATORS AND PRAXIS II: SUBJECT ASSESSMENTS (SOME SPECIALIZATIONS REQUIRE MORE THAN ONE SUBJECT ASSESSMENT) AND PRINCIPLES OF LEARNING AND TEACHING TEST (PLT).

Proficiency Tests

In addition to the American College Test (ACT) that all entering students must take for admission, proficiency tests may be given in some areas (for example, mathematics and music). Students are placed in appropriate courses on the basis of these tests. If there are other subjects in which students have had extensive preparation, however, they may discuss with that department the possibility of proficiency testing to determine eligibility to enter more advanced courses, or they may inquire about taking a College-Level Examination (CLEP) or a Credit by Examination.