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What
are
proficiency
exams?
The proficiency tests, produced by ACT, consist of four separate multiple-choice exams in science reasoning, math, reading, and writing skills. Each of the exams is 40 minutes long and is designed to test general education skills acquired during the first two years of college. Satisfactory performance on the proficiency exam is required for all students seeking an
associate or baccalaureate degree from one of South Dakota’s regental institutions.
DSU students will also complete the Tek.Xam, an online
computer exam produced by the Virginia Foundation of Independent
Colleges. This exam covers General Computing Concepts and Internet.
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Who
will
complete
the
proficiency
exams?
Students who meet the following criteria will sit for the exams:
- Degree-seeking students registered for credit
- Associate degree-seeking- Completion of 32 passed credit hours at or above the 100 level
- Baccalaureate degree-seeking- Completion of at least 48 passed credit hours at or above the 100 level
All students who qualify for
testing will be notified by email or letter approximately three weeks prior to
the test date. Enrolled students with a baccalaureate degree are exempt
from this requirement. To ensure that students are prepared for the exams, incoming freshmen must complete college algebra (or an equivalent higher level math course), composition,
speech, and one general education course in natural sciences, socials sciences, and humanities/ fine arts in their first 48 credit hours. Students must complete a total of 30 credit hours of the system-wide general education core in their first 64 credit hours.
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When
will
I
complete
the
exams?
The fall semester exams will be administered on November 8, 2007 and the spring
exams will be given on March 27, 2008. All daytime,
undergraduate, main-campus classes will be canceled to facilitate the testing process.
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What happens if I do not sit for these exams?
Failure to
sit for the exam as scheduled will result in denial of subsequent
registration at all regental institutions. Students who have been
denied registration due to failure to take the proficiency exam may apply
for readmission after two academic terms.
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What
can I do to prepare for the exams?
The proficiency exams are designed to measure students' knowledge of material
covered in general education courses. Sample questions for each of the
proficiency exams and an online study guide for the Tek.Xam are on the OIEA
website at
www.departments.dsu.edu/assessment.
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What
do
the
results
mean? What if I do not pass?
Approximately one month after testing, students and their advisors will receive a report which lists their scores on each exam. College faculty, along with the Board of Regents, have determined the minimum required score on each exam. The DSU faculty have set the minimum required score on the Tek.Xam. Students who do not meet the minimum required score on one or more tests must develop an action plan with help from the development plan advisor(s). This plan will describe what must be done to help the student become proficient in each area(s) in which he/she is deficient, and it must be developed prior to registering for the next semester. After completion of the action plan, the student must retest in the specific area(s) of deficiency. Students may retest up to two times within the allowed time frame (one
calendar year). The tests will be given just once each semester.
South Dakota
Opportunity Scholarship (SDOS) recipients are required to pass all four sections
of the proficiency exams (writing, math, reading, science reasoning) on their first attempt. This is in addition to
other SDOS requirements.
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What
happens
if
I
am
not
successful
on
the
retest(s)?
Students who do not achieve the minimum score on the retest(s) will be denied subsequent registration at all regental institutions. Application for readmission will be contingent upon satisfactory performance on the proficiency examination or certification by alternate methods. Students may arrange for retesting during any subsequent administration of the exam. Students who perform satisfactorily on the retest or students who are certified by alternate methods will be allowed to register for the next term.
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What
if
I
am
a
transfer
student?
Transfer students from any South Dakota regental institution are subject to the same criteria as outlined above. Transfer students with more than 18 credit hours entering from outside the Regental system must complete the required
18 credit hours of general education within the first 30 credit hours taken at a regental institution.
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Questions?
The
Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment and students’ academic advisors have specific information on the policies developed by the Board of Regents to address the general education curriculum (Policy 2:7) and the proficiency exams (Policy 2:28). Students with disabilities can request accommodations by contacting the ADA Academic Coordinator,
Keith Bundy at 256-5121.
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