Assessment/Testing

ASSESSMENT CENTER MISSION

Columbia Basin College Assessment Center is committed to providing a professional and experienced testing environment for students and residents of this region that enables candidates to perform at their maximum ability.  The Assessment Center is devoted to the recruitment and retention of qualified support staff, dedicated to providing exemplary customer service while assisting a diverse population of students and faculty.  In addition to upholding the college's goal of academic excellence and leadership, the Assessment Center maintains membership with and adheres to the National College Testing Association (NCTA) Professional Standards and Guidelines for Post-Secondary Testing Centers.    

ADMISSION POLICY - To support the open access mission at the College and to simplify the onboarding process, beginning May 31, 2016, students applying to CBC will no longer be charged a $50 admission/testing fee prior to enrollment. The cost will, however, be absorbed through an increase to the Comprehensive and Instructional Support Fees.

Candidates testing for other institutions or not joining the College will be required to pay a testing fee of $40.

PLACEMENT TESTS
Placement testing is required for full-time degree or certificate programs, or any English and Math courses and are offered two to three times a week at various times. Students who have passed college-level English or math classes may submit an official transcript to Admissions for evaluation to waive the testing requirements. A CBC admissions application must be submitted prior to taking a placement test.

SCHEDULING

Visit the testing calendar to view available dates/times to schedule your ALEKS (math) and ACCUPLACER (Sentence Skills and Reading) assessments. First time testers can schedule a placement test at columbiabasin.edu/gettingstarted. Students whose scores have expired or are eligible to retake can call the Assessment Center at 509-547-0511 (option 2/then option 5) to schedule an appointment or visit us in Building H, Room H119.

BEGINNING MARCH 1, 2018 - NEW WALK-IN SCHEDULE

WALK-IN WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY - No appointment necessary on Wednesdays and Thursdays to test. Bring your current valid picture ID and SID. Running Start testers with access to their SSN are encouraged to bring it for scheduling. Please contact the Assessment Center for further assistance if you do not have access to this number. Placement sign in: 9:00am - 1pm

Students who live more than 50 miles away from Columbia Basin College and would like to take their placement exam at a location near their home are encouraged to contact the Assessment Center for further information. 

RUNNING START
Candidates testing for the Running Start Program with or without access to their social security number may schedule a testing session and will not need to apply to the College prior to making an appointment. Please contact the Assessment Center for further assistance if you do not have access to your SSN.  No charge required to test. If you have Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) scores, bring them to your appointment for processing. Smarter Balanced Assessment FAQ. Contact the Assessment Center for additional Running Start session information.

BEFORE YOU TEST

ALEKS - Prior to taking your test, complete the pre-assessment at EdReady to determine your existing math readiness.  Columbia Basin College uses the ALEKS assessment in determining placement into Math courses. Testers are encouraged to visit www.aleks.com for more information and to take a free trial exam. After taking your first proctored exam at CBC, access the powerful Prep and Learning Module tool customized to increase readiness before retesting.

ACCUPLACER - Access a FREE Web-based Study App from your computer, tablet or smartphone.  Become familiar with test content by reviewing sample questions.   Click here to learn more about ACCUPLACER.

RETAKE POLICY
Retesting is appropriate when there is reason to believe that a score obtained from previous testing does not  reflect the examinee's true level of knowledge or skill.  Retesting to improve course placement is seldom successful if a person has not studied or has not taken a class prior to testing again.

Candidates may retest once in Sentence Skills and/or Reading and twice in ALEKS within an anniversary year.   To support study, a mandatory 48-hour “cool off period" between ALEKS Test #1 and #2 are required. Prior to taking ALEKS Test #3, you will be required to spend a minimum of five hours in your Prep & Learning Module.  

Once a year has passed, students may schedule an appointment to start testing again in any  of the three areas.

TEST DAY REMINDERS
• Bring your current photo identification and arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time for check-in. No testing without proper identification.
• Visitors, parents, spouses, friends, and/or children are not allowed to wait in the testing center.
• Cell phones, electronic devices, and personal belongings will be collected. Food and drinks are not permitted in the testing room.
• Placement tests are not timed.  Take your time during the assessment and do your best.  These exams are used to determine math and English course readiness.

STUDENT RESOURCES
Access My Placement Scores. View or print scores 24/7. 
Placement Interpretation Guide 
Placement Reciprocity Request Form. If you took a placement test for another Washington state community or technical college, non-expired scores can be used for placement at CBC. Placement recommendation must have been made within the last 12 months. Review the information on the Placement Reciprocity Form and follow the instructions to submit your request. 
Placement Score Release Form 
Testing Calendar

ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENTS 
GED – Nationally recognized program for a high school equivalency. Request GED Records 
HESI A2 Admission Assessment - Dental Hygiene Program. 
ATI TEAS Assessment - Nursing/Radiation Technology programs.  2017-18 Testing Schedule 
Microsoft Office Certification 
Proctored Exams

Columbia Basin College testing rooms and computer screens are monitored by cameras.

The Assessment Center discourages you from bringing valuables such as jewelry, phones, watches, money, and credit cards with you to the test center. If you do bring them, you will be required to store them in a locker and you may claim them when you are finished testing. CBC cannot assume responsibility for the loss or damage of any personal belongings brought into the testing center. We strongly recommend you secure your valuables and bring only those items necessary during your appointment.

 
Assessment Center Hours of Operation
Monday:      7:30 am - 6:00 pm           Tuesday - Wednesday:      7:30 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday:    9:00 am - 4:30 pm           Friday:                                7:30 am - 12:00 pm