- What is assessment?
- What is the purpose of assessment?
- Who should take the placement test?
- Why do students have to take the placement test when they have already completed English and Math courses in high school?
- Why do I have to attend the orientation?
- Who may be exempted from taking the placement tests?
- How can students clear prerequisites if they have taken courses at other institutions?
- How can students use placement test scores from another institution to clear prerequisites?
- Can students request to re-take the placement test?
- What kinds of questions are on the Math tests?
- What is the passing score for the Math tests?
- How long does it take to get the test results back?
- Does your office proctor test for other schools?
- Are the tests timed?
- What do I need to bring to the tests?
1. What is assessment?
Assessment is an important part of the matriculation process by which students are guided through the college curriculum in selecting courses best suited to their abilities and educational goals.
Assessment is a process that includes tests and other measures and is designed to assist students in meeting course prerequisites.
2. What is the purpose of assessment?
Assessment/Testing is used to measure your mathematics, reading, and written English skills.
Assessment scores are used to determine student's placement in college, in addition to assisting students with course selection. Students also use assessment to meet course prerequisites.
3. Who should take the placement test?
- Students who designate their educational goals to include transfer, obtain an associate degree, or earn a certificate of achievement
- Students who register for any English course or for a mathematics course at or above the level of elementary algebra, or for any course which has English or math as a prerequisite
- Students who have taken the San Diego Community College District English and Mathematics Placement Tests more than three years ago and have not used those scores for placement purposes
4. Why do students have to take the placement test when they have already completed English and Math courses in high school?
Assessment assists students in course selection at Mesa College. The scores received are also used as an advisement tool for determining appropriate placement in college courses. We must first accurately assess students' skills before they can enroll in classes.
5. Why do I have to attend the orientation?
New college students will benefit from the information received during the orientation session. Students will receive an orientation packet with valuable information about the college. A counselor will be available to provide students with the following information:
- Information About Mesa College
- Class Schedule and Catalog Rights
- Student Services
- Educational Objectives
- Registration Process
- Interpretation of Assessment Scores
- First Semester Planning
6. Who may be exempted from taking the placement tests?
- Students who have taken the San Diego Community College District English and Mathematics Placement Tests within the past three years
- Students who are taking only apprenticeship courses
- Students taking only activity courses or courses with no math or English prerequisites.
- Transfer of returning students who have earned a grade of "C" or higher in English 101 or its equivalent at an accredited institution are not required to take the English Placement Test.
- Transfer or returning students who have earned a "C" or higher in elementary algebra (Math 95 or equivalent) at an accredited institution, and who do not need a higher level mathematics course are not required to take the Math Placement Test.
- Students who have earned an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution are not required to take the English Placement Test.
- Students who have earned a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the English Composition Examination of the College Board Advanced Placement Program (AP) are not required to take the English Placement Test.
7. How can students clear prerequisites if they have taken courses at other institutions?
Students who have completed prerequisite courses from other institutions can fax their transcripts to the San Diego Community College District Office at (619) 388-6946.
8. How can students use placement test scores from another institution to clear prerequisites?
Students who have taken the placement tests from other institutions can visit the Counseling Office or fax their scores at (619) 388-2525. Please note that students who bring their transcripts in person will get their prerequisites cleared sooner.
Those who choose to fax their placement scores need to provide a cover sheet indicating the following information:
- Name
- Social Security Number
- Test Scores with Interpretive Data (indicating specific courses that student is eligible to take)
- Classes needed at Mesa
- Phone number with area code
We are unable to clear prerequisites without the aforementioned information.
9. Can students request to re-take the placement test?
Students can request to re-take the placement tests if it has been three years or more since the last assessment test was completed. Students who have compelling reasons and do not meet these criteria can speak with a counselor about their specific situation. If approved, documentation will be needed that shows counselor approval. Please contact the testing office for specific information.
10. What kinds of questions are on the Math tests?
The Algebra Readiness Test (Test #1) is a test of content from arithmetic including fractions, decimals, and percents, simple algebra and word problems.
The Intermediate Algebra Test (Test#2) is a test of intermediate algebra content such as linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, graphing, exponents and radicals, functions and logarithms.
11. What is the passing score for the Math tests?
A score of 35+ (the number of correct answers) on Math Test #1 will allow students to enroll in Math 95.
A score of 22+ (the number of correct answers) on Math Test #2 will allow students to enroll in Math 96.
A score of 25+ (the number of correct answers) on Math Test #2 will allow students to enroll in college transferable Math courses (116, 107, 104, 118, 119,210a).
12. How long does it take to get the test results back?
It depends on the number of students taking the test, if the class size is 25 persons or less, then there are usually less complications encountered when the testing clerks grade the tests using the scantron machine. The maximum amount of time it could take for students to get their results back could be up to an hour.
This rarely happens but when it does it usually involves a combination of different factors: large amount of students testing in one particular session; students not filling out their scantron forms correctly; students not filling out their scantron forms completely; or complications with social security numbers and student identification numbers. Overall it general takes about 25-30 minutes for students to receive a copy of their test scores.
(***Some of the complications that the testing clerks run into while grading the tests is students do not fill out their scantron form questions in its entirety and the scantron machine is programmed to look for specific questions when these questions are blank the scantron machine is unable to continue the grading process***)
At the end of the day the testing office submits all testing scores to the district office. It takes one full day for the scores to be added into the student’s school record.
13. Does your office proctor test for other schools?
Unfortunately Mesa College does not currently offer this service to studeents; however, Miramar College is able to proctor tests from certain schools. Please contact the office of the Vice President of Student Services at Miramar College (619-388-7810).
14. Are the tests timed?
Yes, both math tests are 45 minutes each (of actual testing time) and the English test is 1 hour and 20 minutes (45 minutes for the reading section and 35 minutes for the writing section). Allow for another 15 minutes to fill out the scantron form and go over testing instructions.
15. What do I need to bring to the tests?
It is important that students show up at least 15 minutes prior to the testing time and be prepared to present a picture identification (school ID or driver's license) and have a couple of #2 pencils.