Assessment Center

Directed Self-Placement is a simple self-assessment that can be completed anytime, anywhere, to help you determine in which math, reading and English courses you should enroll.

Assessment times vary. However, to be sure you have enough time to complete both assessments, we recommend you begin Directed Self-Placement when you have at least two hours to focus. There’s no time limit, so take all the time you need! You will need a score in all three assessment areas in order to progress through the Getting Started process.

The purpose of Directed Self-Placement is to measure your current skill level and determine the best math and English—and, potentially, reading—courses to help you be successful at CBC. While you do not need to prepare, you may want to review your skills using EdReady.

If you’re new to CBC, please login to your Getting Started steps using your CBC-issued SID number and PIN to complete Directed Self-Placement.

Getting Started

Click either button below to begin!

Click either button below to begin!

Directed Self-Placement results take three to four business days to process.

If you are a traditional student, your results will be entered in your student account. You can review your placement by logging into MyCBC and clicking on “Placement Results.”

If you are a prospective Running Start student, your placement results will be sent via email. Students who qualify will also be emailed a Running Start application!

If you're a new, transfer, or returning student, be sure to have math, English, and reading placement to complete your Getting Started steps. Just log into the Getting Started portal to continue. Once you've successfully completed these steps, you'll be ready to register for your first quarter of classes at CBC!

If you're a current student, we recommend making an appointment with a Completion Coach to interpret your results. For more information, please visit the Counseling/Advising link.

Since the math and English portions are self-assessments, there is no need to retake these portions. You may retake the reading portion once. There is no cooling off period, so please email%20us if you want to give it a second try!

Yes. English & reading scores expire two years from the date you took the assessment. Math scores expire after one year. We will always use your highest score to determine your placement at CBC.

You may not have to take the DSP! Check out Other Placement Options below to see if you qualify for alternative placement.

Services for qualified students with disabilities are available! Students who have documented learning and/or physical disabilities and need to request testing accommodations may contact CBC Disability Support Services at 509-452-4412, by email%20or by visiting Room T403 of the T Building before taking a placement test.

Learn more!

Use qualifying Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) scores and applicable high school transcripts for English and math placement up to one year following high school graduation. Fax, email or bring your scores (which your high school counselor can help you get!) to the Assessment Center.

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Your SAT or ACT math scores can be used to bypass the math portion of your placement test. An SAT math score of 520 or higher or an ACT math score of 22 or higher qualifies you to be placed directly into college-level math courses. These scores are valid for up to two years after graduation.

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We award college credit when you complete the College Board’s Advanced Placement examinations with a score of three or higher. AP courses are developed by the College Board and then taught by your high school teachers.

We also award credit for completing International Baccalaureate examinations with a score of four or higher. The IB program rigorously prepares you for a college-level liberal arts education while you are still in high school.

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Submit your official or unofficial transcript, along with your CBC SID and phone number, for evaluation and placement into pre-college or college level math courses via:

• Email
• In Person: CBC Assessment Center, H Building
• Mail: Columbia Basin College, 2600 N 20th Ave, MS-H7, Pasco WA 99301
• Fax: 509-544-2037

Placement results will be available online one week after submission. Students can access their results by visiting MyCBC and selecting “Placement Results” in the toolbar. Running Start candidates who do not have a CBC student ID number will receive a letter with their placement results.

Scores expire two years after high school graduation.

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If you’ve previously attended an accredited college or university, you should submit an official sealed or electronic transcript from each institution. Your previously earned credits will be evaluated through a course-by-course equivalency and can allow you to bypass testing requirements or certain course prerequisites.

Learn More

The best way to determine your placement options is to talk with an expert in our Assessment Center!

Email%20an%20Expert

This Next Generation Reading exam is delivered in a multiple-choice format with no time limit. Using the latest computer-adaptive technology, 20 questions are presented based on your individual skill level. Your response to each question determines the difficulty level of the next question—so it’s important to answer each question as carefully and correctly as possible.

During the WritePlacer portion, you will create a 300 to 600 word essay in two hours. This essay is scored in conjunction with your ACCUPLACER reading exam to determine which English course is right for you.

The ACCUPLACER exams take between two and a half to three hours to complete. Make sure you leave yourself enough time to complete both tests when scheduling your appointment.

Testing Calendar

There are four free and easy ways to study for the ACCUPLACER tests!

1. Find FREE ACCUPLACER test prep (including study materials and practice tests) on the Longsdale Publishing website by selecting the “Register NEW account” option, and using school number: 60438 and school key: hawks.

Sign up!
 

2. Access the ACCUPLACER Student Portal for practice resources and score reports.

Visit the portal!

3. Get six months of free access to practice tests through the web-based study app, accuplacerpractice.

Start now!

4. EdReady offers online preparation and a customized study plan to help you reach your goal.

I want to be EdReady!

You will receive ACCUPLACER results at the end of your testing session. Scores will be posted in the student system within 48 hours and may be used for registration.

Yes. You may retake your ACCUPLACER Reading and WritePlacer exams once within a year from the first time you take this test.

Yes. ACCUPLACER scores are valid for two years from the date of your test. We will always use your highest score to determine your placement in reading and English at CBC.

Services for qualified students with disabilities are available! Students who have documented learning and/or physical disabilities and need to request testing accommodations by contacting CBC Disability Support Services at 509-452-4412, by%20email or by visiting Room T403 of the T Building before scheduling a placement test. 

Learn more!

ALEKS is a powerful, artificial-intelligence-based, adaptive math assessment. Through delivery of up to 30 questions, this test reveals and reports on the strengths and weaknesses of your mathematical knowledge and provides you with learning tools for improving that knowledge.   

The ALEKS placement test generally takes between 60 and 90 minutes to complete, but there is no time limit.

Testing Calendar

No. During the exam, when permitted, an online scientific calculator will become available for your use.

There are two free and easy methods to study for the ALEKS:

1. Visit the ALEKS website and select “Independent Users” to access the best information and a free trial, including test prep materials.

Visit ALEKS!

2. EdReady offers online preparation and a customized study plan to help you reach your goal.

I want to be EdReady!

You will receive your results immediately following your test. Your success in math is important! We highly recommend discussing your career goals and math placement with an advisor in the Counseling and Advising department.  

Yes. You may retake the ALEKS test twice within a year of when you first take the test. After the first exam, you will have access to a customized Prep and Learning module for one year from the date the module is opened.

There is a mandatory 48 hour “cooling off” period between your first and second attempts at ALEKS, designed to encourage you to use the Prep and Learning module to prepare more effectively.

If you plan on retaking your ALEKS exam a second time, you’ll be required to spend at least five hours in your learning module after your first retake attempt, before you can schedule your final test.   

Yes. ALEKS scores expire one year from the first time you take your test. We will always use your highest score to determine your placement in math at CBC.

Services for qualified students with disabilities are available! Students who have documented learning and/or physical disabilities and need to request testing accommodations by contacting CBC Disability Support Services at 509-452-4412, by%20email or by visiting Room T403 of the T Building before scheduling a placement test. 

Learn more!

There is a non-refundable fee of $80 due every time you take the ETS ParaPro exam. Visit the Assessment Center first to receive a payment ticket to present at Hawk Central (conveniently located adjacent to the Assessment Center) for payment. We accept cash, personal and cashier's checks, money orders, Visa and MasterCard.

ParaPro exams are delivered by appointment only at 8:30 am on most first and third Fridays of each month. Visit the Assessment Center to schedule once you’ve reviewed our calendar to determine available dates. Payment is due at this time. Registration is available up to seven days in advance and confirmation requires payment in full.

Testing Calendar

You will need a valid, government-issued photo ID and, once you pay, your receipt of exam purchase. The Assessment Center is unable to test students without valid identification.

Two and a half hours is allotted for the test. Please arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow time for check-in. Late arrivals will not be seated for the test.

Testing Calendar

Visit the ETS ParaPro website to access a study companion, tutorial and interactive practice test.

Get study materials!

No. Calculators are prohibited while taking this test.

Unofficial scores are available onscreen and to print at the end of your test. The Washington State qualifying score is 461. Official score reports, including additional materials to help you understand your results, are automatically sent to you and Washington State’s teaching credentialing office.

Additional score reports are available for 10 years for a non-refundable fee of $50.

Additional score reports

Yes. The ParaPro Assessment can be taken once every 35 days. There are no current limits on how many times you can take the exam, but the non-refundable fee of $80 is due each time you test.

Your scores are digitally retained with ETS for 10 years.

Yes. Accommodations must be submitted directly to ETS ParaPro as early as possible, as they may take several weeks to review and complete. Visit the ETS ParaPro website for more information.

Learn more!

Exams are $30 for each of four tests, a total of $120, to be paid online via credit, debit or pre-paid card. Retake fees vary and will be indicated when you schedule your appointment.

Pay now!

Scheduling is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week once you create your account on the GED^® website. Use this account to also:

• Make your payment
• Cancel testing appointment
• Locate practice resources
• Check your scores

Set up my account!

Testing Calendar

All candidates are required to produce a valid, unexpired, original photo identification at check-in. The Assessment Center is not permitted to test candidates without acceptable identification. For a full list of approved forms of ID, visit the GED^® website.

Acceptable forms of ID

The total time allotted for all four sections is seven hours and five minutes, but you do not have to sit for the entire test at once. The language arts and writing section is broken down into two sections; the first is 75 minutes, the second is 45 minutes. The math section is divided into two 45-minute sections. The social studies section has 70 minutes allotted and 80 minutes are allowed to complete the science portion.

Testing Calendar

Visit the GED^® website for practice resources.

Access practice resources

Attend GED^® preparation classes at CBC!

Learn more!

Yes. You can bring your own handheld TI-30XS to the GED^®. If you do not have a calculator, you will be given access to an on-screen TI-30XS during the test.

Test results are available within one day of completing your test. You will receive an email when your results are available. The GED^® test has a scaled passing score of 150 for each test. To earn your high school equivalency, you need to receive a scaled score of 150 or higher on each of the four tests. Students scoring 170 or higher pass with honors.

Yes. You may re-take any section of the GED^® up to three times. Once you pass one section, you do not need to re-take that test again.

If you tested prior to January 1, 2014 and were not issued a GED^® certificate, your scores have expired, and you will have to begin the process again.

Accommodations for documented disabilities need to be arranged through Pearson Vue.

• Call: 1-877-392-6433
• Email: accommodations@GEDtestingservice.com
• Visit: GED® Testing Service Accommodations

To quickly and efficiently request a copy of your GED transcript, just visit the GED® website. CBC does not retain copies of your GED® scores, even if you took the test at the Assessment Center.

You are eligible to take the GED^® as long as you are a resident of the State of Washington, not a high school graduate and not enrolled in an accredited high school.

You are eligible but will need to submit a “Request for Approval to Test” form in person to the Assessment Center. Contact your local high school or school district office to obtain this form.

If you have completed a home-based instruction program, you are eligible and will be required to submit a Notarized Statement for Home School Students in person to the Assessment Center.

Download your form

There is a $25 non-refundable proctoring fee per certification that is due after you schedule your appointment, but before you test. Visit the Assessment Center first to receive a payment ticket to present at Hawk Central (conveniently located adjacent to the Assessment Center) for payment. We accept cash, personal and cashier’s checks, money orders, Visa and MasterCard.

You will need to create an account with Pearson Vue Certiport prior to scheduling your testing appointments.

Create my account

Email the following information to testingcenterFREECOLUMBIA_BASIN to schedule an appointment at least 10 business days before your desired test date:

• Full name
• Primary phone number and email address
• Your Certiport username and password
• The date and time you wish to test

Testing Calendar

• The name of the exact Microsoft Office Specialist Certification exam for which you wish to test. Keep in mind: we only offer the 2013 Microsoft Office versions.
• Proof of registration in the Microsoft Office Academy programs, which is free to all Washington state residents.

Washington State Library

Within two business days of receiving your email, the Assessment Center will contact you via the primary email address you provided to assist you in completing the scheduling of your appointment.

You will need a valid, government-issued photo ID that matches your Certiport profile, as well as your Certiport username and password. The Assessment Center is unable to test students without valid identification.

Each exam is allotted 50 minutes testing time. Please allow two hours for your full appointment.

Testing Calendar

You are required to register for the Microsoft Imagine Academy in order to test for certification in any of the nine programs. The Microsoft Imagine Academy offers free test materials as well as hands-on labs that will fully prepare you for certification.

Sign up now!

Your Certiport account offers you access to additional practice tests for each exam.

Visit my account

You will receive your results and information about the passing standards for each certification as soon as you are done testing. The score report will also be made available to you through your Certiport account.

Visit my account

Yes, but you must wait a minimum of 24 hours before attempting it again. After your first re-take attempt, a minimum waiting period of 48 hours is imposed for each subsequent attempt. The $25 proctoring fee is due for each attempt.

If you need to cancel or reschedule your certification appointment, please notify the Assessment Center 48 hours in advance.

Microsoft Office Specialist certifications do not expire.

The NES includes over 30 separate exams with individual costs for each. Please visit the National Evaluation Series™ website for specific information on exam prices. Test registration fees must be paid online using a VISA or MasterCard credit card. Your registration will be valid for one year from the date of issue, and payment is non refundable.

Test Cost Info

Scheduling is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week once you choose the exam you want to take on the NES website.

NES Tests

Testing Calendar

All candidates are required to produce a valid, unexpired, original photo identification at check-in. The Assessment Center is not permitted to test candidates without acceptable identification. Visit the NES website to view the complete identification policy.

ID policy

Each exam within the National Evaluation Series™ varies in length. Visit the NES website for complete testing time details.

Test Time Info

The NES website includes test prep materials for each of the 30+ exams offered.

Test Prep Info

Your test scores will be reported to you and any institution that you indicate as a score recipient when you register. If applicable, scores are also reported directly to the relevant state agency responsible for educator licensure and are automatically added to yoru licensure application file. Visit the NES website for more detailed information.

Test Result Info

Yes. You may re-take any NES exam by waiting 30 days and then completing the registration process again. Visit the NES website to view Testing Policies that apply to all NES exams.

Testing Policies

Alternative testing arrangements for documented disabilities are available and need to be arranged through NES.

Testing Arrangements

The TEAS exam is a required entrance exam for the Nursing, Radiologic Technology and Dental Hygiene programs at CBC. It is a four-hour, computer based assessment that will test your Reading, Science, English/Language, and Mathematics skills.

There is a non-refundable fee of $106.43 payable online and due via the ATI testing website every time you take this test.

Pay now!

The TEAS testing window for Nursing and Radiologic Technology applicants is Sept. 2020 to March 2021.

The TEAS testing window for Dental Hygiene applicants is Nov. 2020 to Feb. 2021.

For all programs, CBC applicants may test only twice during this window.

Schedule your TEAS test by registering directly with ATI Testing. Be sure to select Columbia Basin College at the time of your TEAS registration purchase to ensure your scores are sent to us, otherwise you'll need to purchase a transcript after you complete the exam.

Register now!

Testing Calendar

If you're planning to test in person, you need your valid, government-issued picture ID, your CBC student ID (if available), and your ATI username and password.

You will need a computer with a microphone, a webcam, a strong internet connection, your valid, government-issued photo ID, your CBC student ID (if available), and your ATI username and password. For more information and full system requirements, visit the ATI Teas Online Remote Proctored Exam website.

The TEAS test takes four hours.

Testing Calendar

The ATI website gives you access to a nursing blog, FAQs, videos, events, webinars and more!

ATI website

You can also purchase test prep books from the CBC bookstore!

CBC Bookstore

Personal calculators are not permitted, but access to a four-function, online calculator is included during your test.

You will receive your scores at the end of the test session. TEAS test proctors are not permitted to interpret or advise students regarding these results. Please contact your program coordinator for more information.

Yes. You have one retake during a testing window for the TEAS test.

Yes. Scores are only valid for two academic years.

You will need to request an official transcript from within your ATI Testing account.

ATI Login

It is your responsibility to contact the Assessment Center after sending your TEAS transcript to CBC. You may call, email or come in and see us with the following information:

• Your name
• Your student ID number (if available)
• Your date of birth
• The date you tested
• The name of the testing center
• Your current phone number

Services for qualified students with disabilities are available! Students who have documented learning and/or physical disabilities and need to request testing accommodations by contacting CBC Disability Support Services at 509-452-4412, by%20email or by visiting Room T403 of the T Building before scheduling a placement test. 

Learn more!

WEST exams vary in cost. Please visit the WEST NES website for complete cost information.

Test Cost Info

Scheduling is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week once you choose the WEST exam you want to take.

Registration Information

Testing Calendar

All candidates are required to produce a valid, unexpired, original photo identification at check-in. The Assessment Center is not permitted to test candidates without acceptable identification. For a full list of approved forms of ID, visit the NES website.

ID Policy

WEST exam times vary. Please vist the WEST NES website for all details on the varying lengths of test times.

Test Time Info

Visit the WEST NES website for practice resources on individual exams.

Test Prep Materials

Your test scores will be reported to you and any institution that you indicate as a score recipient when you register. If applicable, scores are also reported directly to the relevant state agency responsible for educator licensure and are automatically added to yoru licensure application file. Visit the WEST NES website for more detailed information.

Score Report Info

Yes. You may re-take any WEST exam by waiting 30 days and completing the registration process over again.

Retake Policy

Alternative testing arrangements are available for documented disabilities and need to be arranged through the WEST NES website.

Testing Arrangements