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Solano Community College

New Students Start Here!! Assessment Program

Assessment Schedule - December 2009
Assessment Schedule - November 2009


SCC uses the College Board Accuplacer format for Assessment Questions. To view sample questions, please go to: www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/accuplacer

All new, non-exempt students (see exemption criteria listed under Matriculation) enrolling in six or more units of non-exempt courses are expected to participate in the matriculation process prior to registering for classes.  Assessment, Orientation and Counseling are part of this matriculation process.

In addition, all students enrolling for the first time in any English, English as a Second Language, or reading class must complete the appropriate testing to meet department requirements.

An appropriate score on the reading comprehension section of the assessment test will satisfy the graduation requirement for reading (Option A, Area D - Language and Rationality).

ASSESSMENT TESTING FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS

1.  FINDING THE RIGHT READING OR WRITING CLASS
The Computerized Placement Test (CPT), commonly known as the English Assessment Test, is an effective tool to use in choosing the right reading or writing class and is made up of two parts:

  • Sentence Skills Test
  • Reading Comprehension Test.
If you feel at some point after taking the tests that the results do not reflect your actual ability, you may retake the Sentence Skills and Reading Comprehension tests one time without special requirements. For a third or subsequent attempt, you must have evidence that the original test results are invalid (documentation must be provided) or three years has occurred since the last testing.  You should submit any evidence that your situation meets either of these criteria to the Assessment Specialist.

The Sentence Skills assessment test is only intended to help you with your initial placement in Solano College’s composition sequence (Engl 305, Engl 355, Engl 370, and Engl 1). Once you have taken a class in this sequence of English courses, only the results of the Composition Mastery Examination (CME) will indicate readiness to move to the next course level. You cannot retake the Sentence Skills test to make up for an unsatisfactory CME score.


2.  USING THE CPT TEST TO MEET THE READING REQUIREMENT FOR GRADUATION
In addition to helping you choose a reading course, the Reading Comprehension test may also be used as one of the ways to meet the graduation requirement for reading competency (Area D2). The rules cited above for repeating the Sentence Skills and Reading Comprehension tests also apply when repeating the Reading Comprehension Test, but there is a third criterion for reading. You can’t take the Reading Comprehension test more than twice, unless you provide evidence of some instructional intervention (such as an English class) or three years has occurred since the last testing. (A passing score (95) on the reading portion never expires.)


3.  ABILITY TO BENEFIT TESTS (ATB)
Students who have not received a High School Diploma or a GED and who want to receive Financial Aid must take and pass a test called the Ability to Benefit Test. This test is different from the regular assessment tests and is not required for ordinary academic placement. See the Assessment Specialist for further details.

PROCEDURES
To gain the most from this college service, you should plan on completing the following steps:

  1. First, complete and submit an Application for Admission to the SCC Office of Admission and Records.
  2. Next, attend a scheduled test session (above) and take the reading and writing  tests.  (Contact a counselor if you think you might be eligible for a testing waiver.)
  3. Then, meet with a counselor.
  4. Finally, register for classes.

The Assessment Center staff schedules all matriculation test sessions.  The schedule for testing is available each semester in the printed Schedule of Classes and online on this page above.  For more information about assessment dates and times, please contact the Assessment office at 707-864-7000 ext. 4525.  The Assessment Center is located on the main campus in Building 400, Room #442.

Additional information may be obtained from the Assessment Center, Counseling Center, or the Office of Admissions and Records. 

WAIVERS
 Students who have completed testing or coursework in English at another college or who have had equivalent educational experiences in high school may be eligible to receive a waiver for matriculation testing.  Contact a counselor for detailed information.

Office Hours

Last Updated: September 01, 2009
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