Assessment/Testing

The Columbia Basin College Assessment Center is committed to providing a professional and experienced testing environment for residents of this region. The Assessment Center is devoted to the recruitment and retention of qualified staff dedicated to provide exemplary customer service while assisting a diverse population of students and faculty. In addition to upholding the college’s culture of excellence and focus on student success, the Assessment Center maintains membership with and adheres to the National College Testing Association (NCTA) Professional Standards and Guidelines for Post-Secondary Testing Centers.

Located in the Student Services area of the HUB, the Assessment Center assists students and the community in meet their educational, employment, and personal goals using a variety of assessment tools.

Inclement Weather/Campus Closure Information

HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday, 7:30 am - 5 pm
Tuesday, 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday, 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Friday, 7:30 am - Noon

ADMISSION POLICY
To support the open access mission at the College and to simplify the onboarding process, students applying to CBC will no longer be charged an 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. 

IMPORTANT NEWS!!

MATH PATHWAY CHANGES
Later this year, the Math Department will be offering several new courses to allow students to move through their math pathways more efficiently. These changes to the math pathways took effect beginning Summer 2019 quarter.
Please refer to the updated Placement Interpretation Guide-2019 to see how your scores on the ALEKS assessment will be used for placement in the updated math pathways.

If you have questions about the new courses and the updated math course pathways, please contact the Math Department at 509-542-4783.

ALTERNATE PLACEMENT MEASURES
Bypass placement testing! Check before you test: Submit qualifying Bridge to College English and math grades; qualifying SBA ELA and math, AP, ACT math, or SAT math scores; a Washington state college’s placement scores using Reciprocity; or an official or unofficial high school transcript (for math placement only) first to see if you can skip taking the placement test!

Multiple measures is a gateway that allows students to utilize a combination of scores and grades obtained in high school or other Washington colleges and bypass placement testing. These alternate measures offer a promising way to demonstrate that students are ready to succeed in college-level courses. All measures are subject to expiration policies.

WALK-IN WEDNESDAYS & THURSDAYS 
Enjoy the flexibility of Walk-in Wednesdays & Thursdays. No appointment necessary. Arrive between 9 am – 1 pm with a valid picture ID and student identification number, test and receive your scores. Exams are untimed with an average completion time of 3.5 hours for all three subject areas. If you prefer to schdule an appointment, visit the testing calendar for additional sessions. First time testers can schedule online. Retake sessions may be scheduled by contacting the Assessment Center at 509-547-0511 (option 2, option 5). 

RUNNING START 
Candidates applying to the Running Start program with access to their SSN are encouraged to have it available when calling for an appointment or bring it when joining any Wednesday or Thursday walk-in session from 9 am - 1 pm (no appointment necessary). Please contact the Assessment Center for further assistance if you do not have access to your SSN. Candidates testing for CBC will not be charged a testing fee.  If you have Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) scores, bring them to your appointment for processing. Smarter Balanced Assessment FAQ. Candidates are also welcome to submit SAT, ACT, and AP scores to the Assessment Center for processing. AP Test Scores Equivalencies Chart. Candidates who have taken and passed a qualifying Bridge to College English or math class with a "B" grade or higher in their final term, may submit transcripts to the Assessment Center for placement. Contact the Assessment Center to schedule an after school Running Start special session appointment. Limited space, first-come, first-served basis.

TRANSFER STUDENTS
Students transferring from another institution can have their previous credits transferred to Columbia Basin College using the Transfer of Credit Process. In addition, students can transfer another Washington state institutions test scores by sending official copies and a completed Reciprocity form to testingcenter@columbiabasin.edu. Transfer students are welcome to schedule a placement test of visit any Wednesday or Thursday walk-in session from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (no appointment necessary) with a valid photo ID. Please contact the Assessment Center for further assistance.

REMOTE TESTING  
Students who live more than 50 miles away from Columbia Basin College and would like to take their placement exam closer to their residence, are encouraged to contact the Assessment Center at 509-547-0511 (option 2, option 5) or email testingcenter@columbiabasin.edu. 

ACCOMMODATIONS
Columbia Basin College provides support services for qualified students with disabilities to ensure that our programs and facilities are accessible. Please contact the CBC Resource Center at 509-542-4412 or rcdesk@columbiabasin.edu before scheduling a test. The Resource Center is located in Building T – Room T403.

FORMS

Placement Interpretation Guide - 2019

Reciprocity

Request for Score Release

PERSONAL BELONGINGS
The Assessment Center discourages testers from bringing valuables such as jewelry, phones, watches, money, credit cards, etc. with you to the test center. Personal belongings brought during testing will be stored in a locker and you may claim them at the end of your testing session. 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.

SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE TESTING CENTER

Placement testing and assessment of multiple measures

GED Testing

TEAS Testing

ALTA Testing

HESI Testing

Parapro Testing

Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Testing

Community Proctoring Services