Tests Offered

ACT scores are used for admission to colleges and universities.  The ACT contains multiple-choice tests in four areas:  English, reading, science and mathematics, plus a writing sample.  ACT approved calculators may be used for the mathematics test, but not for the other ACT tests.  The testing time for the ACT is 3.5 – 4.5 hours, which includes the optional writing sample.  For information about registering and test dates, consult the ACT Web site.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The CLEP series of tests include standardized tests that are computer-based and timed at 90 minutes per test.  Candidates who score high enough may receive college credit based upon the academic policy at the college or university that they attend.  Unofficial CLEP score reports are available to the candidate when the test is finished.  The official CLEP scores are released by the College Board approximately two or three weeks after the candidates’ test session is completed.  Testing appointments may be scheduled by calling 678.407.5322.  An application for CLEP testing and the testing fees are required before testing sessions.  The CLEP application and the official study guides may be ordered from the CLEP website.

CLEP Fees:

$72.00 test fee (each test) made payable to CLEP by check or money order

$25.00 Georgia Gwinnett College registration fee (each test) made payable to Georgia Gwinnett College by check or money order

AP-CLEP Equivalency Chart (PDF)

Computerized Assessment and Support System (COMPASS)

The COMPASS/ESL placement test is an internet version of the first computer-adaptive placement test developed by ACT.  In the COMPASS placement version, there are three untimed testing modules which measure knowledge in reading, mathematics, and writing.

If the COMPASS English/writing score is between 60 and 79, then the student must write a 60 minute essay on a choice of predetermined topics.  For the COMPASS/ESL placement version for non-native English language students, there are four untimed modules for listening to spoken English, reading, writing, and mathematics.

A 60 minute essay on a choice of predetermined topics is required for all students who take the COMPASS/ESL placement version.  Sample questions are available on the ACT website.

Students whose SAT critical reading score is 480 or greater, or the national ACT English score is 21 or greater, are exempt from taking the COMPASS placement test in reading and writing.  Students whose national SAT math score is 460 or greater, or their national ACT math score is 19 or greater, are exempt from taking the COMPASS placement test in mathematics.

Students may register for the COMPASS placement test and the COMPASS/ESL placement test by contacting testing services at 678.407.5322 and scheduling an appointment.  A picture ID is required, and the COMPASS placement testing fee of $20.00 is payable to student accounts at the time of testing.

Based on Board of Regents policy, students are allowed a retest for any part of the COMPASS placement test in which their score was below the cut-off score resulting in a requirement to enroll in a learning support course in reading, writing or mathematics.  The testing fee for the COMPASS placement retest is $10.00, which applies to one, two or all three sections of the COMPASS test.  All COMPASS retest sections must be taken on the same day.  Retesting must be completed prior to your GGC SMART session.  Once you complete the GGC SMART session and register for classes, you will be ineligible to retest.  If you do retest, then the College will use the higher of the two scores for your placement. Please call 678.407.5322 to schedule the COMPASS placement retest.

Distance Learning/Independent Study Exam Proctoring

The Office of Testing Services facilitates distance learning by participating in The Consortium of College Testing Centers (CCTC).  The purpose of the consortium is to provide testing services for students away from their campuses.  Both traditional paper-pencil formats as well as computer-based online formats are proctored.  The test proctoring fee is $50.00 per exam proctored and a valid picture ID is required.  Contact testing services at 678.407.5322 or fax the request to 678.407.5278.

Georgia History and Georgia Constitution Tests

Both the Georgia History and the Georgia Constitution tests are offered through WebCT in the testing center. Students who need to take either the Georgia History or the Georgia Constitution test or both must register with the testing center at least one week in advance of the testing day. Students will need to provide proof from the registrar’s office that they are eligible to take the Georgia History or Georgia Constitution tests or both.

Students are limited to one attempt at passing the Georgia History or the Georgia Constitution tests.  After that students must enroll in HIST 2111/2112 and/or POLS 1101.  Students should contact testing services at 678.407.5322 to schedule an appointment for legislative exams.

ITEC 1001: Placement Test

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

The LSAT is a timed paper and pencil standardized test used for admission to law school.  The test consists of five 35-minute sections of multiple-choice questions and one 30-minute writing sample.  The test administration takes approximately five hours.  For information about registering for a future test date, consult the LSAT website.

Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency (MTELP)

The Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency is a 100-item multiple choice test, which assesses the English language proficiency of non-native speakers of English who plan to enroll in a college or university where English is the medium of instruction. The test is paper-based and consists of grammar items, vocabulary items and reading comprehension questions. There is a 75-minute time limit for the test. For more information, visit the MTELP website.

Miller Analogies Test (MAT)

The MAT is a computer-based test that requires solutions of problems stated as word analogies.  The testing time is 60 minutes, and the unofficial score report is available upon completion of the test.  Appointments for MAT testing may be made by calling testing services at 678.407.5322.  Additional information may be found at the MAT website.  The testing fee is $75.00 and a valid picture ID is required for testing.

Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT)

The PCAT is a specialized test that measures general academic ability and scientific knowledge necessary for applicantion to pharmaceutical colleges.  The testing time is four hours and includes six content areas:  verbal ability, biology, reading comprehension, quantitative ability, chemistry and writing.  Online practice tests for the PCAT are available through the PCAT website.  For information about testing fees and registering for a test date, consult the PCAT website.

SAT Reasoning Test

The SAT Reasoning Test is used for admission to colleges and universities and measures critical thinking skills and how well you analyze problems which are needed for academic success in college. There are three sections of the SAT which includes critical reading, mathematics, and writing an essay.  The SAT takes 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete. For information about registering for the SAT, the test dates, and practice tests, consult the SAT website.

U.S./Georgia History Exam

The test is designed to allow students to meet the legislative requirement of demonstrating knowledge of US and Georgia history, only if they failed to fulfill it in the normal course of completing their general education requirements. Students will be required either to take the test or to take an additional specific history course if they fall into one of the following categories:

• Students who received History AP credit which exempted them taking the General Education Area E required history courses.
• Students who completed the Area E history requirement at a non-USG system school.
• Students who completed the Area E history requirement without taking a US history course.

This computer based test contains multiple choice questions that replicate a rigorous final exam in a course that meets the legislative requirements. Since the legislative requirment assumes that Georgia history is included in the teaching of US history, this test includes questions of Georgia history asked within the framework of US history. Thus the test format includes 35 US history multiple choice questions and 15 Georgia history multiple choice questions, each worth 2 points for a total of 100 points. The fifty questions are generated from a test bank of over 900 questions which covers 50 unique categories.

Students may also take history courses at Georgia Gwinnett College that meet the legislative requirement. These courses currently include the US History surveys (Hist 2111 and Hist 2112). Courses under design that will meet the legislative requirement include: US Honors History, The Old South, The New South, U.S. Southern History and the History of Georgia.

Students may only take the test twice in their academic career, and not more than once per semester. If they fail it twice, they MUST take an additional course that meets the legislative requirement.

See the study guides for help in identifying key concepts.

• U.S. History Identifications
• Georgia History Identifications

World Language Placement Tests

GGC offers language placement tests in French and Spanish in order to determine how to best place students into world language courses. Other factors to be considered are whether the student is a native or heritage speaker of the language or has lived in an area where the language is spoken. The world language placement tests are paper-based.