Student Assessment And Placement Policies & Procedures

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1 Chesapeake College Testing Center (L133) (410) Ext. 344 Fax (410) website: Student Assessment And Placement Policies & Procedures Chesapeake College is an equal opportunity institution, providing access to education, service, and employment regardless of race, color, age, religion, national origin, belief, sex, or reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids and services and other changes required by persons with disabilities to allow access to programs and services will be provided if the College receives sufficient notice and it is not an undue burden to do so. The College urges these requests to be made at least 14 days in advance.

2 Table of Contents Student Assessment & Placement...3 Policies and Procedures...3 Requirements to Take CPT...3 Exemption Policy...3 Visiting Students...4 Scheduling Your CPT...4 Wye Mills Campus:...4 Chesapeake College Cambridge Center:...4 Testing Regulations...5 Test Administration...5 Types of Tests...5 Score Reporting...5 Total Right Score...5 About the Tests...6 Computer-Delivered Testing...6 Answering the Questions...6 Adaptive Testing...6 Description of Tests...6 Arithmetic Skills...6 Elementary Algebra...6 College-Level Mathematics...7 Reading Comprehension...7 Sentence Skills...7 Taking the Test...8 Choosing an Answer...9 Using the keyboard:...9 Using the Mouse:...9 Guessing...10 After the Test Your Next Step...10 Course Placement Policy...10 ESL Testing & Placement...12 Retesting Policy...12 Sample Questions...13 Sample Questions for Arithmetic Skills...13 Sample Questions for College-Level Math Skills...14 Sample Questions for Elementary Algebra Skills...15 Sample Questions for Reading Comprehension...16 Sample Questions for Sentence Skills...17 Answers to Sample Questions...18 Arithmetic...18 Reading Comprehension...18 College-Level Mathematics...18 Sentence Skills...18 Elementary Algebra...18 Page 2

3 Student Assessment & Placement Policies and Procedures Chesapeake College is committed to your success. To help you begin reaching your goals, the College offers an assessment service, Computerized Placement Testing (CPT). This instrument is used to measure your entry-level skills in mathematics, language, and reading; the results of which allow academic advisors to assist you with your selection of courses. No student will be denied admission as a result of test scores. However, you are required to complete the CPT as a condition of enrollment, and if your test scores indicate a need for skill development, you will be required to complete the appropriate developmental courses. The purpose of this publication is to provide you with answers to questions you may have concerning Chesapeake College s assessment and placement policies and procedures. If you need additional information, please contact the Office of Student Services by calling: , and , ext. 250 or the Testing Center at , ext Online Accuplacer Student Guide Requirements to Take CPT All entering students are encouraged to take the CPT in order to assure accurate course placement. If you meet any of the following conditions and do not meet the criteria for exemption (See Exemption Policy), completion of the CPT is required. The CPT is required for: 1. Students intending to enroll for 7 or more hours of course work in a given semester 2. Students intending to enroll in any General Education course. 3. Students who do not maintain a 2.0 QPA 4. Students who are not currently enrolled in high school who have not attained a high school diploma or GED Exemption Policy Again, all entering students are encouraged to take the CPT in order to assure accurate course placement. Under certain conditions, students required to take the CPT may have the requirement waived under the following CPT exemption policy: CPT exceptions for students wishing to take English or math courses: 1. Students who received mathematics and verbal SAT score of 550 each or an ACT score of 21 within the last two years. 2. Students who, with documentation, have taken developmental English or mathematics courses may have the appropriate sections of the college placement test waived. Page 3

4 3. Students who have completed appropriate college-level mathematics and English courses may have the applicable section or sections of the CPT waived. In order to do so, students should provide evidence of prior college work. (NOTE: Unofficial transcripts may be used for this purpose; however, for prior college-level course work to be accepted for transfer credit at Chesapeake College, official transcripts must be submitted to the Office of Registration.) Visiting Students Students who are currently enrolled at another college or university, who do not intend to pursue a degree or certificate at Chesapeake College, may be exempt from the placement testing requirement. In order to establish visiting student status, students must submit a letter of good standing from the home institution. The letter should specify the courses you will be permitted to take at Chesapeake that will apply toward your degree at the home institution. Scheduling Your CPT Wye Mills Campus: CPTs are administered by the Testing Center located in the Learning Resource Center, room L The testing center is open during the following hours and testing is available on a walk-in basis. Tests can take up to two hours to complete. Please allow sufficient time. Chesapeake College Cambridge Center: Testing will be administered in the Multi-Service Center. Tests can take up to two hours to complete. Please allow sufficient time. The current schedule for the Testing Center and testing at the Cambridge Center are on the website. ( Hours for all Academic Support Services can be found at NOTE: To allow adequate time, you MUST begin your test at least ONE HOUR prior to closing. For placement tests, you MUST begin TWO HOURS prior to closing. Page 4

5 Testing Regulations Textbooks, notebooks, dictionaries, or other papers of any kind (except scratch paper provided by the Test Administrator for use with the mathematics tests) are not allowed in the testing room. Further, anyone who gives or receives help during the test, or uses notes or books of any kind, will not be allowed to continue the test. Following the test period, no test materials or notes may be removed from the room. Your college may cancel any test score if there is reason to question its validity. Before canceling a score, the college may offer you the opportunity to take the test again. Test Administration The CPTs are administered on a computer. You will actually read the instructions and questions on the computer screen and will mark your answer using the computer keyboard or mouse. Types of Tests Five tests are available in the CPTs program. The tests include reading comprehension, sentence skills, arithmetic, elementary algebra and college-level mathematics. Score Reporting When you have completed all the tests, you will receive a printed report of your scores. Your Individual Score Report will include your Total Right Score and Percentile Rank. Total Right Score The Total Right Score shows how many of the questions you could expect to answer correctly if you took a test made up of 120 questions. Any test score is an estimate, not an exact measure of your skills. Page 5

6 About the Tests Computer-Delivered Testing You will take the tests using a computer. You will communicate with the computer by using the keyboard or the mouse to enter your answers to the questions and to supply other information. The test instructions are easy to understand. Entering information is also very easy. A Test Administrator will always be available if you have any questions or problems. The Test Administrator can resolve any difficulties that may occur. Answering the Questions Because you take the CPTs on a computer, you don t have to answer as many questions as on traditional paper and pencil tests. The numbers of questions on the five tests range from The questions will appear one at a time on the computer screen. Most questions are multiple choice, and all you will need to do is use the space bar or mouse to select the desired answer. When you have completed the question and confirmed your answer, a new screen will appear with your next question. Adaptive Testing Each test is designed using adaptive techniques. This means that the computer automatically determines which questions are presented to you based on your responses to prior questions. This technique zeroes-in on just the right questions to ask you without being too easy or difficult. The greater your demonstrated skill level, the more challenging the questions that will be presented to you. Description of Tests Arithmetic Skills The Arithmetic test measures your skills in three primary categories. The first is operations with whole numbers and fractions. This includes addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and recognizing equivalent fractions and mixed numbers. The second category involves operations with decimals and percents. It includes addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as percent problems, decimal recognition, fraction and percent equivalencies, and estimation problems. The last category involves applications and problem solving. Questions include rate, percent, and measurement problems; geometry problems; and distribution of a quantity into its fractional parts. Sixteen questions are asked. Note: It is important that the background questions be answered accurately since the answers are used to determine which of the tests are delivered. Elementary Algebra There are also three categories in the Elementary Algebra Test. First, operations with integers and rational numbers include computation with integers and negative rationales, the use of absolute values, and ordering. The second category is operations with algebraic expressions. This tests your ability with the evaluation of simple formulas, expressions, and adding and Page 6

7 subtracting monomials and polynomials, the evaluation of positive rational roots and exponents, and simplifying algebraic fractions, and factoring. The third category tests abilities in equation solving, inequalities, and word problems. These questions include solving verbal problems presented in algebraic context, geometric reasoning, translation of written phrases into algebraic expressions, and graphing. Twelve questions are presented, and a calculator is provided for your use. College-Level Mathematics The College-Level Mathematics test assesses proficiency from intermediate algebra through precalculus. Six categories are covered. Algebraic operations include simplifying rational algebraic expressions, factoring and expanding polynomials, and manipulating roots and exponents. The category of solutions of equations and inequalities includes the solution of linear and quadratic equations by factoring; expanding polynomials, and manipulating roots and exponents. Coordinate geometry asks questions about plane geometry, the coordinate plane, straight lines, conics, sets of points in a plane, and graphs of algebraic functions. Applications and other algebra topics asks about complex numbers, series and sequences, determinants, permutations and combinations, fractions, and word problems. The last categories, functions and trigonometry, present questions about polynomial, algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. Twenty questions are asked, and a calculator is provided for your use. Reading Comprehension This test is designed to measure how well you understand what you read. It contains 20 questions. Some ask you to decide how two sentences are related. Others ask you questions about reading passages of various lengths. You will be asked to interpret and draw conclusions from what you have read. Sentence Skills Two kinds of questions are given in this test. You will be asked to correct a sentence by choosing a word or phrase to substitute for an underlined portion of a sentence. In the other type of question, you will be asked to rewrite a sentence in a specific way without changing the meaning. You will be presented a total of 20 questions. Page 7

8 Taking the Test The first computer screen you will see is shown: Please type your last name, first name, and middle initial in the spaces below. Press ENTER after each part of your name. Press ENTER after middle initial to continue to the next screen. Press TAB after middle initial to go back to the last name for correction. The TAB key is located on the upper left portion of the keyboard. Last Name First Name Middle Initial (Press ENTER to continue or press TAB to go back to last name.) You will enter your name on this screen. Use the ENTER key to move from Last Name to First Name and then to Middle Initial. Pressing the ENTER Key again will take you to the next computer screen. The next computer screen asks for your Student ID and your Date of Birth. Please enter your ID. It may be up to 11 characters and should include only numbers and dashes. ID Please enter your date of birth. It should be entered month first, followed by day, and then year. Example: Type 10/23/97 for October 23, 1997 Type 01/01/97 for January 1, 1997 Date of Birth 12/04/97 (Press ENTER to continue or TAB to go back to ID.) Page 8

9 College Board Computerized Placement Tests Computerized Adaptive Testing for College Placement The purpose of this test is to help determine the reading, English, and mathematics courses most appropriate for you at this time. A report of your results will be given to you and to your college. The information you provide will be kept at ETS for use in research related to the test. It will not be reported to anyone by ETS in a way that would allow you to be individually identified. Enter your Student Identification Number, which is your social security number. Press ENTER to move to the Date of Birth and type your birth date using a dash (-) or slash (/) to separate the month, day, and year. It is especially important that this information be entered correctly. If you make an error while typing, you may utilize the BACKSPACE Key to erase the error. Choosing an Answer You will choose either the Keyboard or the mouse to enter your answers. Using the keyboard: If you are using the keyboard to enter your answers, you will use the space bar to move to your choice of answer. You will press the ENTER Key to select the desired answer. You will then press ENTER again to confirm your choice and move to the next question on the next screen. A message will display when the tests are about to start. Every test will be preceded by several sample questions that will familiarize you with the types of questions in that particular test. These sample questions are not scored. When you have completed these, you will begin with the actual test questions. Using the Mouse: If you are using the mouse to enter your answers, you will click on your choice and then click on the NEXT button on the bottom of your screen. To confirm your answer, click on the CONFIRM button; this will also move you to the next screen. You have just learned how to use each of the testing tools shown below. ANSWER? NEXT CONFIRM HELP Next Confirm Help First of 2 steps to move to a new question Last 2 steps to move to a new question Recalls directions or provides help on how to take a test Page 9

10 Guessing Because this is an adaptive test, questions are chosen for you based on your answers to previous questions. Because the test works this way, you must answer every question when it is first given. You cannot skip any question or come back later to change an answer. After you answer each question, the computer calculates a score based on all of the answers you have given and uses this score to select the next question to display. Because the test works this way, you must answer every question when it is first given. You cannot omit any questions or come back later to change an answer. If you do not know the answer to a question, try to eliminate one or more of the choices. Then pick one of the remaining choices. You may change your answer on a particular question, but you must do so before confirming it and continuing to the next question. Once you go to the next question, the answer is accepted and you cannot return to the question. If you do not know the answer to a question, try to eliminate one or more of the choices. Then pick one of the remaining choices. After the Test Your Next Step After the test, you must schedule an appointment with an academic advisor who will go over your CPT results and help you select your courses for the upcoming semester. Appointments can be made by calling Course Placement Policy Your CPT scores will help you and your advisor place you in the appropriate courses. Placement in developmental courses may be optional or required depending upon your CPT scores, academic goals, and student status. 1. Developmental courses serve as prerequisites to credit-level mathematics and English courses. Students intending to enroll in credit-level mathematics or English courses, who have not been otherwise exempted from the requirement to take the CPT, must complete all indicated developmental prerequisites prior to enrolling in credit-level mathematics or English courses. 2. Students enrolling for 7 or more semester hours must begin immediately taking required developmental courses as indicated by their CPT scores and the requirements of their program. Progress toward developmental course completion should continue, uninterrupted, until all developmental requirements have been fulfilled. 3. Students enrolling for 6 or fewer semester hours must begin immediately taking required developmental courses as indicated by their CPT scores and the requirements of their program whenever their quality point average falls below 2.0. Page 10

11 The following shows the CPT score ranges for each placement test and the corresponding developmental requirements and recommendations. Refer to the current catalog for course descriptions. Total Right Score Elementary Algebra 0-31 MAT MAT 031 required Placement MAT 032, 200 or 204 Note: MAT 032 is prerequisite for MAT 110, 113, 115, 120 or 210 College-Level Math 0-31 Elementary Algebra Score Used Mathematics appeal MAT 110, 113, 115, 200, 204, or MAT 140 Reading Comprehension* 0-40 ENG ENG ENG No Developmental Reading Required Sentence Skills 0-50 ENG ENG ENG Essay Appeal ENG 101 *Students with a Reading Comprehension Score below 59 are not eligible to take ENG 101 until ENG 080 has been completed. Page 11

12 ESL Testing & Placement Students with English as their second language are administered the LOEP (ESL) portion of the CPT based upon the English background question. The following CPT scores apply: LOEP: Reading Skills 0-40 Continuing Education * ESL 060 Basic Reading Skills ESL 062 Intermediate Reading Skills 80 and above Use CPT Score LOEP: Sentence Meaning & LOEP: Language Use 0-50 Continuing Education* ESL 064 Basic Writing Skills ESL 066 Intermediate Writing Skills 90 and above Use CPT Score *Students placing in Continuing Education are not eligible to register for credit courses. Retesting Policy While retesting does not typically yield results substantially different from the initial scores, ONE retest is permitted on any portion of the CPT (to be administered no sooner than 24 hours after the initial placement test). A payment of $10 per test portion (or $25 for the entire test) should be paid to the Business Office prior to retesting. (Students enrolled in a developmental course should bring written permission from the instructor in order to retest after a semester has begun. Students should also be advised that CPT scores are valid for two years. If developmental requirements have not begun by then, a CPT retest is required.) Page 12

13 Sample Questions Sample questions are shown below for each of the eight CPTs previously explained. Those presented include only a few areas covered by each test. The correct answers can be found on the last page of the booklet. Sample Questions for Arithmetic Skills Question 1: Solve the following problems and choose your answer from the alternatives given. You may use the paper you have been given for scratch work. All of the following are ways to write 20 percent of N, EXCEPT: (A) 0.20N (B) 20N/100 (C) 1N/5 (D) 20N Question 2: Which of the following is closest to 10.5? (A) 3 (B) 4 (C) 5 (D) 8 Question 3: Three people who work full time are to work together on a project, but their total time on the project is to be equivalent to that of only one person working full time. If one of the people budgeted for 1/2 his time to the project and a second person for 1/3 of her time, what part of the third worker s time should be budgeted to this project? (A) 1/3 (B) 1/4 (C) 1/6 (D) 1/8 Page 13

14 Sample Questions for College-Level Math Skills (Used for higher-level credit math courses) Question 1: If f(x) = x 4 - x + 2, then f (-x) = (A) x 4 - x (B) x 4 + x (C) x 4 - x + 2 (D) x 4 + x + 2 Question 2: The equation x 2 + 2ix - 4 = 0 has its roots (A) 5-1, (B) 5 - i, 5 + i (C) 3 - i, i (D) 3 - i, 3 + i (E) 3 - i, i Question 3: For triangle ABC, a = 12, b = 16, and sin B = 2/3. What is the measure of angle A in degrees? Enter your answer here. Page 14

15 Sample Questions for Elementary Algebra Skills Question 1: If a number is divided by 4 and then 3 is subtracted, the result is 0. What is that number? (A) 12 (B) 4 (C) 3 (D) 2 Question 2: 16x - 8 = (A) 8x (B) 8(2x - x) (C) 8(2x - 1)(D) 8(2x - 8) Question 3: If x 2 - x - 6 = 0, then x is (A) -2 or 3 (B) -1 or 6 (C) 1 or -6 (D) 1 or -3 Page 15

16 Sample Questions for Reading Comprehension Question 1: (Narrative Question) Read the statement or passage and then choose the best answer to the question. Answer the question on the basis of what is stated or implied in the statement or passage. There are two types of pottery that I do. There is production pottery -- mugs, tableware, the kinds of things that sell easily. These pay for my time to do the other work, which is more creative and satisfies my needs as an artist. The author of this passage implies that: (A) artists have a tendency to waste valuable time (B) creativity and mass-production are incompatible (C) most people do not appreciate good art (D) pottery is not produced by creative artists Question 2: (Sentence Relationships Questions) Two underlined sentences are followed by a question or statement about them. Read each pair of sentences and then choose the best answer to the questions or the best completion of the statement. The Midwest is experiencing its worst drought in fifteen years. Corn and soybean prices are expected to be very high this year. What does the second sentence do? (A) It restates the idea found in the first. (B) It states an effect. (C) It gives an example. (D) It analyzes the statement made in the first. Page 16

17 Sample Questions for Sentence Skills Question 1: (Sentence Correction Question) Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. The first choice is the same as the original sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer. Ms. Rose planning to teach a course in biology next summer. (A) planning (B) are planning (C) with a plan (D) plans Question 2: (Construction Shift Question) Rewrite the sentences in your head, following the directions given below. Keep in mind that your new sentence should be well written and should have essentially the same meaning as the sentence given you. Being a female jockey, she was often interviewed. Rewrite, beginning with She was often interviewed... The next words will be: (A) on account of she was (B) by her being (C) because she was (D) being as she was Page 17

18 Answers to Sample Questions Arithmetic 1. D 2. A 3. C College-Level Mathematics 1. D 2. E Reading Comprehension 1. B 2. B Sentence Skills 1. D 2. C Elementary Algebra 1. A 2. C 3. A Page 18

GUIDE TO THE CUNY ASSESSMENT TESTS

GUIDE TO THE CUNY ASSESSMENT TESTS IN MATHEMATICS Rev. 117.016110 Contents Welcome... 1 Contact Information...1 Programs Administered by the Office of Testing and Evaluation... 1 CUNY Skills Assessment:...1