Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
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- Do I need to take a placement or proficiency test? You may need to take an Academic Skills Assessment test if you:
- Are a first time college student or a non-exempt student who planning to earn a degree and/or certificate, and/or transfer.
- Are a first time college student or a non-exempt student who planning to earn a degree and/or certificate, and/or transfer.
- Are a continuing student who has not taken the test and are taking courses with a prerequisite in English, English-as-a-Second Language, Reading and/or Math are also required to take the placement test before registration in those courses.
- If you are applying for the Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technician Programs.
- If you are applying for A.T.B. (Financial Aid "Ability to Benefit" Program).
- Who is exempt from taking an Academic Skills Assessment? You may not need to take the assessment test if you:
- Have completed an AA/AS degree or higher at a U.S. college or university.
- Plan to enroll in courses without ESL, Reading, English, or Math skills prerequisites.
- Have completed an agreement with the Counseling Office (Room E1-301) for an acceptable Alternative Form of Assessment. (e.g., SAT scores, transcripts from another college, etc.)
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- Do I need to register to take a test? No, but you do need to have a Mission College Student ID Number. If you have not already done so, complete and submit the Application for Admission (see Registration Procedures) and obtain your Mission College Student I.D. number. Tests are done on a drop-in basis. All tests are computerized, and you will get your results as soon as you finish. ESL results take five (5) days to process.
- If I do not have a social security number, may I still take the test? Yes, but you must file an "Application for Admissions" and get your Mission College Student ID Number prior to taking the test.
- What do I do if I have a disability? If you need assistance, contact the Disability Instructional Support Center well in advance. Call 408-855-5085 or TTY 408-727-9243 for assistance.
- When can I take a test? Please check the Test Schedules for testing times.
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- What happens on the day of the test? On the day of the test:
- Bring one form of photo identification (i.e., student ID, driver's license, passport, or employment photo badge), along with your Mission College student identification card.
- No children are allowed in the testing area, and children may not be left unattended on campus.
- To avoid a parking citation, please park only in designated college campus parking lots and properly display a semester or daily permit. Student parking is allowed in Lots A, B, C, and D. Daily permits may be purchased at any of the dispensers located in the parking lots. Cost: $2.00
- Where can I pick up my test results? Test results for English, Reading and Math will be given to you as soon as you finish your test(s). ESL Test results take five (5) days to process. You can pick up the results in the Assessment Center, Room: E1-101.
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- Can I retake the test? You may take an English, ESL, Reading, or Math placement test, two(2) times. After that you are required to take the classes in which you were placed in. Placement Tests are for initial placement only. Once you have started to take your classes you may not use the placement test to skip levels. If your intention is to skip levels, you need to file a "Prerequisite Challenge Form" with the Counseling Department.
- What are the components of each test? For a full description of each of the placement tests click on the links below.
- Will I need to write an essay? If you are taking the English As A Second Language test, you will need to write a 30 minute essay on an assigned topic.
- May I use a dictionary, calculators or any other resources? No, dictionaries, calculators nor any other resources are permitted during the tests.
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