Policies & Procedures

Administrative Procedure: 8107.1

TESTING SERVICES – CUMBERLAND CAMPUS

The Testing Center

The Testing Center exists to provide a quiet, secure, and welcoming test site for College students as well as test takers from the surrounding region. The Cumberland Campus Testing Center is located on the first floor of the Catherine J. Arpino Education and Humanities Center adjacent to the Administration building on College Drive. Parking is available in Lots A-E and Lot G on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Center’s website, rcsj.edu/testing/cumberland, can be consulted for specific testing dates and times, as well as additional information on each exam. The Center’s staff can be reached at (856) 200-4648 for additional assistance.

Tests are administered for numerous reasons including:

• placement in the appropriate course after notification of College acceptance;
• admission to the College’s selective admissions programs;
• advanced college credit;
• faculty make-up examinations; and/or
• distance learning courses for individuals other than RCSJ students.

Testing fees apply to all exams except the initial basic skills placement test (Accuplacer) and Academic Testing (faculty make-up examinations) for the Cumberland campus. Photo identification is required for all tests. No cell phones or any other electronic devices are permitted. All tests are proctored.

For special accommodations for test takers with documented disabilities, please contact the Department of Special Services at (856) 200-4648.

Tests Administered at the Center

Placement (Accuplacer)

This test was developed by the College Board to assess student preparedness for college. RCSJ uses a three-section format including English, reading, and math. The test is online at the Center, has a multiple choice format, and is not timed.

There is no fee for the initial three-section test, however, should an individual wish to challenge/retake the test, an administrative fee per test section will be charged. The Nelson Denny exam may be used for a reading challenge.

Nursing and Health Professions Testing

The Center provides testing services for selective admissions into the Nursing and Health Professions programs of the College as well as administering nursing entrance examinations for other colleges. The tests are detailed as follows:

• Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT-AD)
• This test is designed and used to assess a student’s readiness for the nursing curriculum and as the criterion for the RCSJ’s Nursing Programs. The exam is administered online in the Testing Center.

• Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI A2)
• This test is designed and used to assess a student’s readiness for curriculum within health sciences and as the entrance criterion for the College’s Physical Therapy Assistant and Radiography programs. The exam is computer-based and administered online.

• Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
• As a designated testing location, this test is provided as a service to the community and other colleges and is administered to screen a prospective student’s ability to be successful in a nursing program. The test has four sections: reading, math, science, and English, is computer-based and administered online. This test is not required for RCSJ’s Nursing and Health Professions programs.

Academic Testing (Faculty make-up examinations)

The Center provides a free service for the College’s faculty and students by proctoring make-up examinations. Faculty notify students and Center staff in advance to make the appropriate arrangements regarding: test format, usage approval for calculator or other electronic devices, etc. Make-up exams are administered on a Drop-in basis at specific times each week, no appointment needed.

Testing for Credit

• College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

CLEP is a group of standardized tests created by the College Board. These tests assess college-level knowledge in thirty-six subject areas and provide a mechanism for earning college credits without taking college courses.

RCSJ students are strongly advised to consult the Center’s website, the CLEP website, and an academic advisor to ensure the CLEP tests aligns with the associated RCSJ course and the course(s) apply to the desired Program of Study (major).

CLEP tests are available by appointment at the Center. The test times range from 1.5-2 hours. Tests are administered online in the Center with immediate feedback

(excluding the College Composition exam).

Distance Learning/Outside Testing

As a designated testing location, the Center provides third-party testing services for students from our University Center Partners. Both paper and pencil and online formats are provided depending on third party preferences.

References:

Rowan College of South Jersey Board of Trustees Policy Manual, 8107 Testing Services