The testing center at Cleveland State Community College now offers multiple testing programs to students and community members and has expanded offerings in Athens.
According to Judy Nye, director of CSCC Testing Services, Cleveland State is now an Authorized Pearson VUE Test Center. “This is a huge asset to our community, as well as our students, stated Ms. Nye. “We have been testing in Cleveland a couple of years now and have recently met requirements to authorize our testing center at our Athens location.
Pearson VUE involves high stakes testing requiring strict security practices and provides the opportunity for examinees to earn certifications and licensures needed for employment and/or employment advancement or to further their education. There’s a long list of exams available through Pearson VUE. The most common exams CSCC administers through the Pearson VUE delivery system include National Registry EMT, Advanced EMT and Paramedic, Microsoft Certifications, CompTIA, Excelsior College and other computer certifications. The new GED as of 2014 is also delivered through the Pearson VUE delivery system.
Nye stated, “We have examinees traveling 2-3 hours to Cleveland State to take these exams.
"Although testing commonly presents a stressful atmosphere, examinees tell us that Cleveland State presents a more comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. We are a smaller campus outside the larger cities such as Atlanta, Chattanooga and Knoxville. We are thrilled to be able to offer this service at Cleveland State, and now at our Athens location, as well,” officials said.
College Level Examination Program testing is another addition to services offered on the main campus and is now available as part of the Prior Learning Assessment package at Cleveland State. With CLEP, a student may take a test to demonstrate college level knowledge in a particular subject. A successful score on a CLEP test will earn the student college credit and help them finish a degree quicker and saves them money. CLEP is not available in Athens.
Compass testing is the placement test for individuals who wish to attend college but have outdated placement test scores or may have never taken pre-college placement testing, such as the ACT or SAT. When test scores place a student in Learning Support classes, an additional diagnostic test may be required to help faculty know where the student should begin in the Learning Support class. This way, the student only works in his/her weakest areas to catch up to the college level competencies so he/she can advance forward and move on to completing a college degree. All pre-college testing is available in Athens.
The Health Education Systems, Inc. HESI A-2 exam is offered each semester for students applying to Cleveland State’s RN Nursing Degree Program. Students receive scores immediately after testing and will submit these scores along with other documentation required for consideration in the program. HESI is not available in Athens.
Academic Testing includes proctoring exams for online and video courses or make-up exams missed in the regular lecture classes. Also, special accommodations for students meeting ADA testing requirements are administered in the testing center. Academic testing is available in Athens.
Correspondence testing is available for community members who may be enrolled in distant education programs at other institutions, but need a proctored environment for testing. Correspondence testing is available in Athens.
High School Equivalency testing is scheduled each month for community members who need to complete a high school credential. The state of Tennessee has approved the new test called HiSET, and CSCC continues to administer the GED. Cleveland State offers the GED on the computer and the HiSET both on the computer and the pencil/paper version.
“Administering the HSE is often one of the most rewarding experiences for our staff,” stated Ms. Nye. “The examinees sitting for the HSE have worked hard to accomplish the high school credential, and we celebrate with them in completing their goal.” HSE is available in Athens.
Most every post-secondary institution administers some type of graduation exit exam for a two or four year degree. Cleveland State Testing Services administers the graduation exam to upcoming graduates each semester to help fulfill the graduation requirements. The Graduation Exit Exam is available in Athens.
For more information on the new test offerings at Cleveland State, contact the Testing Center at 423-472-7141, ext. 372. All exams except HESI and CLEP are offered in Athens.