Standardized Tests

• The COMPASS is a comprehensive, computerized assessment and diagnostic system that places students into appropriate college math and writing courses. This measure is required of all entering students who have not submitted ACT results (within the past 5 years) for admissions purposes at no charge. Students wishing to challenge their course placement based on ACT scores can also take the COMPASS ($17.05 charge per test). The COMPASS is administered in the Office of Academic Support.

• The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) enables you to demonstrate college-level achievement in 34 different subject areas. By obtaining scores that are satisfactory to your college, you may receive up to two years of college credit. CLEP testing is administered by computer at the BHSU Office of Academic Support. http://www.collegeboard.org/clep/index.html

• The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) is a standardized test of verbal analogies used to assist graduate departments and schools in their admissions process.You should check with the graduate department and school in which you are interested to determine if they use the GRE and/or MAT, and what (if any) cutoff scores they use. The MAT is administered in paper-pencil or computer format at the BHSU Office of Academic Support. http://harcourtassessment.com/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=0&page_id=455&query=MAT&hiword=MAT

• The DSST (Dantes Subject Standardized Test) provides a paper-based test option for students who have extensive knowledge of an accredited course and want to receive college credit without taking the class. DSSTs provide schools with a reliable means to measure incoming student knowledge of commonly taught college courses. As of now, 37 DSST exams are offered in the areas of Social Science, Business, Math, Applied Technology, Humanities, and Physical Science. DSST testing is administered by computer at the Office of Academic Support. For more information on the DSST, go to http://www.getcollegecredit.com/.

• The American College Testing (ACT) Assessment is one of the main examinations used to determine a student's admission into college. The ACT measures skills in English, mathematics, reading, and science--major areas of instruction in most high school and college programs. The assessment is in multiple-choice format and administered via paper and pencil on set national test dates. See the schedule below. http://www.actstudent.org

• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is one of the leading assessments used by colleges and universities for admitting students into graduate studies. The GRE is offered in two different areas: the General Test measures developed verbal and quantitative reasoning skills, and analytical writing abilities; and the Subject Tests measure achievement in 8 different fields of study. Subject tests are available at BHSU in a paper and pencil format.
  
  The GRE General Test is offered in a computer format at the Prometric Testing Center located at:
  THOMSON PROMETRIC TEST CENTER
  1719 WEST MAIN SUITE 410
  RAPID CITY, SD 57702
  Phone: 605-348-4027 Site Code: 5155
  
  THOMSON PROMETRIC TEST CENTER
  4700 SOUTH TECHNOPOLIS DR SUITE 4
  SIOUX FALLS, SD 57106
  Phone: (605)362-4875 Site Code: 4400
  To register go to: www.prometric.com

• The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a half-day standardized test required for admission to all 198 law schools that are members of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Offered at BHSU in paper-pencil format, the LSAT provides a standard measure of acquired reading and verbal reasoning skills that law schools can use as one of the several factors is assessing applicants.

• The Praxis Series assessments are used by colleges and universities to qualify individuals for entry into teacher education programs. Praxis I: Academic Skills Assessments, designed to be taken early in one's college career to measure reading, writing, and mathematical skills, are offered at BHSU as the Pre-Professionsal Skills Test (PPST). Praxis II: Subject Assessments measure one's knowledge of the subjects to be taught. This is offered at BHSU in two (paper-pencil) formats: Subject Assessments and Specialty Area Tests, which assess your general and subject-specific pedagogical skills and knowledge; or Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Test, which uses a case study approach to measure your general pedagogical knowledge at the K-6, 5-9, or 7-12 grade levels. http://www.ets.org/praxis/

National Testing Calendar
Standardized Test Schedule 2009-2010

ACT: American College Testing                   LSAT: Law School Admission Test
GRE: Graduate Record Examination          PRAXIS School Leadership Series
MAT: Miller Analogies Test

Report Location: Jonas Hall 3rd floor
Student Report Times:

• ACT - 8:00 am                 PRAXIS – session 1 – 7:30 am
• GRE - 8:15 am                 PRAXIS - session 2 - 10:45 am
• LSAT - 8:00 am

* ACT residual is given at the beginning of the Fall & Spring semester, with dates/times to be announced.
Please contact the Office of Academic Support for questions and registration packets: (605) 642-6259.

Personality Testing

• The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a personality inventory that examines individual preferences related to energy sources, information intake, decision-making, and lifestyle organization. Results can be applied to learning styles, career planning, time and stress management, and personal relationships.

• The Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) is designed to gather information about learning and study practices and attitudes. This measure looks specifically at ten different categories related to learning and study strategies and offers both diagnostic and prescriptive information for students to enhance their academic behaviors and attitudes.
  
  To complete any of these tests and receive follow-up interpretations and study recommendations, please schedule an appointment with the Office of Academic Support, Student Union,  642-6259.

Test Proctoring Services

Students missing an exam for extreme, unforeseen events may be allowed a make-up test at the faculty's discretion. Allowing make-up exams for planned absences are at the discretion of the faculty member, and arrangements should be between the faculty and student. Make-up testing services at the Office of Academic Support are not meant to replace faculty – student interactions. We provide a service to supplement testing needs when faculty cannot make accommodations with students directly due to extenuating circumstances. The Office of Academic Support may proctor pre-arranged make-up exams only in the event that faculty is incapable of meeting the student's needs. Our goal is to provide a quiet space for testing that meets the needs of the student and the test security faculty need for the integrity of their exams. Please contact Danielle Brady, Director, Office of Academic Support 642-6259, with questions.

Make-Up/Online Testing Procedures -

• Students MUST make an appointment directly with the Office of Academic Support for their make-up exam as soon as possible. Space and staff are limited, and appointments will always be honored before walk-ins. The student should then inform their instructor of the time of their appointment to ensure that the exam reaches us in time.
• Faculty need to bring/mail the exam to the Office of Academic Support. Fill out and attach an instructor form.
• The instructor form must include instructions; i.e. time allowed, closed book/note, calculator allowed, etc.
• Faculty must note on the instructor form how they want the exam returned. Faculty can leave their campus mail number to have the exam sent back through university mail, or they can pick up the exam in person. NOTE: Students are not allowed to return the exams themselves, nor are student workers allowed to pick up the exams. Due to the enormous growth our services have seen in the last academic year, we are unable to leave the testing center unsupervised, and Office of Academic Support staff cannot deliver exams.
• For online exams, faculty can email a student’s name and the exam password to the Office of Academic Support along with specific instructions as noted above.

Disabilities Services Testing Procedures -

• Students need to contact Mike McNeil in Disabilities Services (642-6099) to make arrangements for accommodations with testing.
• Students MUST provide each instructor with an accommodation notice signed by Mike McNeil every semester.
• Students MUST make an appointment directly with the Office of Academic Support for their exams as soon as possible. Space and staff are limited, and appointments will always be honored before walk-ins. The student should then inform their instructor of the time of their appointment to ensure that the exam reaches us in time.
• Faculty need to bring/mail the exam to the Office of Academic Support. Fill out and attach a Disabilities Testing form.
• The Disabilities Testing form must include instructions; i.e. time allowed, closed book/note, calculator allowed, etc.
• Faculty must note on the Disabilities Testing form how they want the exam returned. Faculty can leave their campus mail number to have the exam sent back through university mail, or they can pick up the exam in person. NOTE: Students are not allowed to return the exams themselves, nor are student workers allowed to pick up the exams. Due to the enormous growth our services have seen in the last academic year, we are unable to leave the testing center unsupervised, and Office of Academic Support staff cannot deliver exams.
  
  *NOTE: Every semester our testing facility is overwhelmed for midterms and finals. Students, please make appointments as far in advance as possible to ensure a slot during these busy times.
  
  Call 642-6259 for an appointment; Office of Academic Support, Student Union.