The Testing Center is a partner in the enrollment process and before registering for your first college course, you must take the placement exam. The placement exam is used to determine whether the student meets the requirements for the Texas Success Initiative (TSI). If you are a transfer student or a returning student, please check with your advisors to determine course placement. All students who plan to enroll at St. Philip’s College must complete an ApplyTexas application to test. This is how a student’s identification number (your Banner ID) is generated and this number is necessary for you to test.
Who is Exempt from Testing?
The following students are exempt from testing if:
- Transfer Student - has met college readiness standards at another institution in English, Math, and Reading, including private or out-of-state institution.
- SAT - scores must be 500+ Critical Reading and 500+ Math with a total of 1070 or higher and can be no more than 5 years old at the time of enrollment
- ACT - scores must be 23 in COMPOSITE, with a minimum of 19 in English and Math , 19 in Math, and 24 Reading no more than 5 years old at the time of enrollment
- TAKS – exit level scores must be 2200 on ELA, with a minimum of 3 on Essay and 2300 on Math no more than 3 years old at the time of enrollment
- Have earned an associate degree or higher (with placement evaluation)
- Active Duty Military Personnel - if they have proper placement from previous coursework posted on a transcript or other assessments
Students who meet these exemptions should bring your test scores or transcript to the Testing Center, WEC 207B. Please note that all three scores must be clearly posted on the score report or the transcript.
Who Must Take Assessment Test?
The following students must take basic assessment tests in reading, writing and mathematics prior to registering for classes regardless of the program you are pursuing:
- First-Year-Experience-in-College - any student enrolling in college for the first time
- Transfer - if you do not have placement for one or more areas
- Active Duty Military Personnel - for placement purposes only
What to bring to the test…
- You must have a valid photo ID
- You must have an application on file at one of the Alamo Colleges
- You will need to know your Banner ID
- You will need the fee for the exam on the day you test (Please see fee schedule)
- First Time in College Students (FTIC) will need to complete all 4 modules on MyMap prior to testing
How are test scores used?
Your test scores are used to determine:
- What courses you are eligible to enroll in
- How much time it will take to complete your degree
- How much your college education will cost
Students who fall below the minimum placement scores in reading, writing, and mathematics will be placed in developmental education courses for each subject area in which college readiness is not demonstrated. This results in you spending more semesters in college.
Test Fees
ACCUPLACER FEE:
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THEA-IBT FEE:
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GED FEE:
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CORRESPONDENCE FEE:
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Initial testing: $29
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Re-testing: $29
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Initial testing: $110
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Per test: $20
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Re-testing: $10
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Re-test: $20
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Study Links
www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/accuplacer/
www.testprepreview.com
www.studyguidezone.com/accuplacertest.htm
Assessment Retest Policy
Students are allowed to retest after 2 weeks. This includes retesting all parts, one or multiple parts.
For all second or subsequent retests, the student may retest after 2 weeks if they have attended a formal college test prep intervention program (e.g. PASS); otherwise, any subsequent retest requires a wait time of 6 weeks.
Special Testing Needs
Special Testing Needs: Students with documented disabilities may qualify for testing accommodations on the Accuplacer. Documentation must be presented to the Disability Support Services (DSS) Office in advance. For more information regarding documentation requirements, students may call DSS at 486-2170.