| Student Assessment Guide |
| page 1 |
| . About Assessment at HNU . About ACCUPLACER . How Do I Schedule an Assessment Time? . Accommodations for Students with Disabilities |
| page 2 |
| . Testing Day . After Testing |
| page 3 |
| . Additional Information . Contacting Your Test Administrator |
| page 4 |
| . Appendix I: Testing Rules and Conditions |
| page 5 |
| . Appendix II: Test Sample Questions and Review Resources . Short Guide to Essay Writing . Other Review Guides |
| About Assessment at Holy Names University (top) |
| As with all assessment tests, these are not the kinds of tests that you 'pass' or 'fail'. The results are a tool to help your advisor help you. Your assessment results are very meaningful in assisting your advisor to determine your academic strengths. Together with previous coursework, your academic goals, and your own self-assessment, results will also help your advisor identify skill areas that may be improved by specific coursework or additional support, such as tutoring or small group instruction. Assessment testing is very much intended to help you reach your academic potential. Holy Names University administers entry skills assessments to all entering undergraduate students, including freshmen and transfer students matriculated in all traditional, weekend, evening, and accelerated college programs. Advising and registration can take place only after assessment scores are available. Testing results are not recorded on your transcripts, and transfer students should be assured that they will not be required to repeat math, English, or other course requirements that have been completed with a satisfactory grade and accepted as transfer credit. |
| About ACCUPLACER (top) |
| Holy Names University uses ACCUPLACER OnLineTM to assess skills in reading, English, and mathematics for all entering undergraduate students. The tests are administered in a proctored environment on a computer. The College Board developed the ACCUPLACER computerized assessment tests with the help of committees of college faculty. There are several computerized assessment tests available in the ACCUPLACER program. All are multiple-choice, with the exception of the WritePlacer Plus, which is an essay test. Based on information you provide while testing, Holy Names University has set criteria that will automatically administer the most appropriate tests to you. One advantage of taking the ACCUPLACER tests on a computer is that you do not have to answer as many multiple-choice questions as on traditional paper-and-pencil tests. The number of questions on the tests ranges from twelve to twenty-five. When the questions appear one at a time on the computer screen, you simply use the 'Enter' key or mouse to select an answer. When you have completed the question and confirmed your answer, a new screen will appear with your next question. |
| Adaptive Testing. Each multiple-choice ACCUPLACER test is adaptive. This means that the computer automatically determines which questions are presented to you based on your responses to prior questions. This technique selects just the right questions to ask without being too easy or too difficult. It is important that you answer each question to the best of your ability. Scores will be used in part to determine course placement. Failure to do your very best may result in course placements that are too low for your current skill level. For a review of the multiple-choice tests, samples of the kinds of questions you may encounter while testing, and other review resources, see Appendix II: Test Sample Questions and Review Resources. |
| Guessing. If you do not know the answer to a question, try to eliminate one or more or the choices. Then pick from the remaining choices. You will not be penalized for guessing, so if you get stuck on a question, it is best to make your best guess and move on. |
| How Long Does Testing Take? Each multiple-choice test is untimed so that you can give each question as much thought as you wish. However, once you have selected and confirmed your answer, you cannot return to that question. The WritePlacer Plus essay test does have a generous time limit in order to help you to avoid spending too much time writing your response. Students can generally expect to complete the tests within two to three hours. Rarely, a student will need additional time. Your proctor and Test Administrator can assist you in completing the tests at a later time in such an instance. |
| Limited Computer Skills? ACCUPLACER OnLineTM provides easy-to-follow tutorials to show new computer users how to use a mouse and keyboard, as well as how to select answers. Prompts guide you easily through the testing process, and a proctor is always available and has the ability to resolve any difficulties that may occur. We are confident that most all students will feel comfortable with the online testing format once provided some short, basic instruction. |
| Fees. There are no costs or fees for students to take ACCUPLACER when proctored by Holy Names University faculty or staff. When special arrangements are made for remote testing by non-HNU proctors, testing fees will depend on arrangements made with the proctoring institution or individual. |
| How Do I Schedule an Assessment Time? (top) |
| Holy Names University will set assessment schedules each term for testing on campus. Schedules will be posted on campus and the HNU website and mailed to incoming students. If you'd like to take advantage of early assessment but live far from campus, you may be able to take the tests remotely. The Test Administrator can assist you in making arrangements for a local high school or college counselor, or other suitable proctor, to administer the test to you in your area. Contact the Test Administrator at (510)436-1336, assessment@hnu.edu , or in Hester 6 for more information about setting up an assessment appointment. |
| Accommodations for Students with Disabilities (top) |
| For qualified students with a disability, various test formats are available, depending on the student's individual needs. ACCUPLACER CompanionTM Tests are available in standard print, large print, Braille, and cassette formats. Additional accommodations and auxiliary aids can also be provided and are customized to the needs of individual eligible students. If you have a documented or suspected disability that may make you eligible for testing accommodations, contact Disability Support Services as soon as possible in Hester 6 or at (510) 436-1336 or DSS@hnu.edu . |