Assessment Testing

Due to construction, Placement Testing will continue to be held in Room 2371 until further notice.

For additional information, call (708) 596-2000 ext. 2495.

Thank you for your patience.

We are unable to give test results to parents or over the phone. Family Privacy Act requires results be given directly to the student or a designated representative of the student.

Now, what is the Assessment Center? We are here to help organize the needs of the students that are based upon measured results. All kinds of testing goes on here - placement, personality, career interests, to name a few. The Assessment Center also proctors exams for other colleges, gives departmental tests, and in general, helps students find out how they've done and what that means.

PLACEMENT TESTING and...

The most used service is the evaluation of previous accomplishment to guide the initial placement of a new student in the subject areas of English, mathematics, and reading. In other words, Placement Testing. SSC uses two instruments to help with this task, the ASSET test and the COMPASS test, both of which are designed by ACT. A student has a choice between ASSET (which is a paper/pencil, timed test) and COMPASS (which is a computerized, untimed test). For more information on ASSET, as well as a downloadable Student Guide to help you prepare for the test, click ASSET. For more information on COMPASS, including sample questions, click on COMPASS. Each site gives some general information about the respective assessment as well as review questions that students will find helpful in preparing for the test.

STUDENT GUIDE TO PLACEMENT TESTING
(PDF/359 KB/Acrobat Reader Required)

Test Review Questions
ASSET Acrobat Reader required	COMPASS	ACT	SAT

SSC requires students who intend to pursue a degree or certificate to take a placement test in reading, English, and mathematics. This is not an entrance exam. It is a placement exam to ensure that all new students are placed into courses which are appropriate to their skill level. If the results indicate, an applicant is required to take the College Preparatory classes during their first semester and continue in subsequent semesters until all required work is completed. A placement into RDG080 and RDG081 restricts student registration to certain courses.

When the review questions have been completed, and you are ready for the test, please follow these procedures. In the long run, the entry procedure will be easier by following these steps:

To take Placement Testing:

Some additional information related to placement

After you complete your placement tests, your results will tell you which courses you are ready to take. You are required to take these placement courses in order to get the skills you will need for college work. You need to sign up for a two-hour orientation after testing during which you will be introduced to the college in more detail, learn about SSC's programs and services, have your assessment results interpreted for you and have any other questions you might have answered.

Your orientation counselor will be able to answer your placement questions. You may also petition a faculty member in the subject of placement that you think is not appropriate. Please ask the assessment personnel, or your orientation counselor, for the procedures and phone extensions that you will need.

ACT

Although many colleges require a student to take the ACT test in order to be admitted, SSC does not either require it or administer it. The ACT assessment test is usually given to seniors in high school prior to their application to college. It is not the same test as ASSET or COMPASS. If you need the ACT, and did not take it in high school, or if you took it in high school and want to take it over to try to improve your scores, click on ACT1 or ACT2. (Many students use this site to help them prepare for the ASSET and COMPASS, however, as the questions in the subject areas are similar and the question format is the same.)

SAT

The SAT is another achievement test, similar to the ACT in function, which some schools require in order to be admitted. SSC does not require this test, and, as with the ACT, does not administer it. If you need information on this test, click on SAT. (This is a very good site with a lot of college-bound informational links as well as many sample test questions that students can use to help them prepare for their placement tests. On the left side of the screen, use the questions under "Real questions. Real answers." On the upper right side, use the section labeled "TEST". Both will help you review and prepare for the placement test here.)

CLEP

SSC administers and accepts CLEP credit. College-Level Examination Program can be a good way to earn credit from training completed elsewhere but relevant to your educational objectives. For CLEP, you must contact the Assessment Center, Rm. 2266, Ext. 2495, but you can fill out the application and get general information regarding the program by clicking on CLEP.

DANTES

SSC accepts credit earned by successful completion of the DANTES tests, also. DANTES is similar to the CLEP in format and function, although some different subject areas are covered. So, if you are considering which test you might take in order to earn credit from previous training or experience, please check out both sites for subject areas. DANTES also has practice tests available for a modest fee. For more information on DANTES, click on DANTES. SSC gives the DANTES tests, also.

Questions on other tests...

Career Testing

There are several widely accepted and very helpful interest inventories and personality measures that are used by counselors to help with making career-related decisions. In order to take one of these, it is necessary to make an appointment with a counselor (Call Counseling, Ext. 2306) and obtain a permit. A permit simply indicates to the Assessment Center personnel which inventory or personality measure your counselor has decided will help you the most.

A Valuable Resource

Since you are at this site, you are obviously looking for something related to assessment or testing. This is a huge domain. One of the most valuable sites we've found is Educational Testing Service. For an exhaustive list of ETS testing links as well as listing references and materials click ETS. If you're looking for a test that we don't list above, try this site first.

Just for the heck of it...(you may need an e-mail address to get the results of the following surveys)

You think you're smart? Click HERE.
Interested in your personality information? Click THIS.
Not enough? Try THIS.