Testing Services

American College Test (ACT)

The American College Test (ACT) is a curriculum and standards based educational and career planning tool that assesses students’ academic readiness for college.  The ACT is administered on the Andalusia Campus on scheduled national test dates.   

• Registration and national test dates

• Overview and other information

COMPASS Placement Test

Lurleen B. Wallace Community College requires a comprehensive assessment of students upon admission to the College and prior to enrollment in an associate degree or certificate programs.  All first-time students who enroll in associate degree or certificate programs and who enroll for more than four credit hours per semester will be assessed in the areas of English, mathematics, and reading through the administration of the COMPASS (Computer-Adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System) placement test and placed in the appropriate level as indicated by the assessment results. The tests are designed to assist advisors and counselors in placing students into appropriate college credit courses or developmental courses.

COMPASS Assessment Information

Students must present picture identification and have an application for admission on file with the Office of Admissions and Records in order to take the test. Admission to testing will not be granted without proper identification.  COMPASS scores are valid for a period of three years.  After three years, scores become invalid, and students must retest.  

Exemptions

Students are exempt from assessment requirements in a specific subject area if they meet one of the following criteria:

• Score 20 or above on the ACT English, reading, and mathematics, or score 470 or above on the SAT I mathematics, reading, and writing, and enroll within three years of high school graduation.

• Possess an associate degree or higher.

• Transfer degree-creditable, college-level English or mathematics courses with a grade of C or better.

• Be a student who is enrolling in a particular short certificate program having no English, mathematics, or reading requirements.

• Be a student who is enrolling for personal enrichment purposes only.

• Have completed required developmental coursework at another Alabama Community College System institution within the last three years.

• Be an audit or transient student.

• Be able to provide documentation of assessment (COMPASS) within the last three years.

To be eligible for these exemptions, assessment scores and/or college transcripts must be on file in the Admissions Office.

Retesting

Students not satisfied with their placement scores and/or placement in developmental courses may retake the COMPASS only once in a three-year period and testing must be completed in one session.  Students must pay $8 to retest whether they take one, two, or three portions of the test.  Students must retake the placement test before enrolling in a developmental course.  Once students enroll in a developmental course, they must complete the developmental course sequence. Students will not be allowed to retest once remediation in the program has started.    

For assistance in preparing for the COMPASS Placement Tests:

www.act.org/compass
www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html

General Educational Development (GED) Test 

The General Education Development (GED) Test provides individuals who have not earned a high school diploma the opportunity to earn a certificate equivalent to the high school diploma.  The GED certificate is designed to provide both employment and higher education opportunities.

Testing Requirements

• Testing is offered once per month on the Andalusia, Greenville, and MacArthur campuses.

• Individuals are required to make reservations with the desired campus testing location.

• The cost of the test is $50;  $10 per retest

• Individuals are only allowed to test or retest a maximum of three times within a calendar year and must wait six weeks between retests.

• Individuals 18 years of age or older must present a picture identification and social security card at the time of testing.  

• Individuals 17 years of age must present a notarized parental permission letter, notarized documentation from the school of official withdrawal (Exit Interview form), and social security card at time of testing.

• Admission to testing will not be granted without proper identification.

To register or request additional information, contact:

New GED Test changes for 2014

Beginning in January 2014, a new GED test will be administered as a computer-based test.  The current GED test will expire with the December 2013 testing.  Individuals must complete and pass all sections before these changes take place.  Beginning in 2014, those who have not completed the current test will be required to take the new version of the test on the computer (no retest using the old test will be given).