Assessment

The ability of a student to succeed in an occupational program at a technical college is greatly determined by the math and language skills possessed by that student. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is committed to ensuring that students possess the academic skills necessary to reach their career goals. All students applying for diploma, degree or technical certificate programs will be assessed prior to acceptance to the college unless otherwise exempt. Students will then be admitted in accordance with the academic standards applicable to their chosen program of study and may, based on their test scores, be placed into remedial coursework that must be mastered before advancing to other courses.

Preparing for the Placement Test

Many students taking the Placement Exam score lower than required on one or more sections of the exam by only a few points. Often, these students do not need a full semester of remediation through remedial course; they simply need to be refreshed in academic areas with which they were familiar in the past, but have forgotten over time. WGTC offers free web-based test preparation and face-to-face hour-long test prep courses through its Testing Center on each campus. Applicants are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this service to brush up on skills that may have been forgotten over time and to become familiar with the placement test format. Performing well on the placement test can save students time and money by giving them the skills needed to pass the test and avoid any requirement to take remedial classes.

Taking the Placement Test

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College utilizes ACCUPLACER ®, published by ACT, as its primary state-approved assessment instrument for evaluating applicants for program readiness. For applicants who are unable to test using computer-based exams, and in certain other situations, the college offers COMPANION, another state-approved instrument published by ACT. ACCUPLACER consists of a series of four tests: Writing, Reading, Numerical Skills, and Algebra. This test is an un-timed multiple choice examination given by computer. Algebra scores are required only for associate degrees and specific diplomas or technical certificates, as identified in the program section of this catalog. All other programs require a numerical score. Sample test questions may be viewed online at http://www.accuplacerpracticetest.com/.

COMPANION consists of a series of four tests: Writing, Reading, Numerical Skills, and Elementary Algebra. These tests are paper and pencil multiple choice exams. Elementary Algebra scores are required only for associate degrees and specific technical certificates, as identified in the program section of this catalog. All other programs require a numerical skills score.

Applicants approved for testing will receive a testing form from the Office of Admissions. This form, along with valid photo ID, must be presented to the Testing Center to gain entrance to testing. Applicants who do not possess a photo ID may notify the Testing Center in advance of the testing date and prove identification through a combination of birth certificate, social security card, and other forms of identification.

Students who earn the required placement test scores on all sections of the placement test, and who meet other admissions requirements, are classified as regular admit students. Those who do not earn the required placement test scores on one or more sections of the test are offered various forms of remediation through the Testing Center or Adult Education Program, based on their test scores, to help ensure success when they begin college coursework. Staff members in all departments are eager to assist students in achieving their academic goals.

Students who do not achieve regular-admit scores are assigned a provisional-admit type if their test scores are at a 0987 level in any subject area. Students scoring in the 0987 placement score range are given the opportunity for free short-term remediation through the Testing Center or one-hour face-to-face test prep courses if time permits prior to the beginning of the subsequent semester. When remediation is complete, these students may retest on the applicable section or sections (a $5 retest fee per section will apply). If, after remediation, regular-admit scores are earned, students may register per guidelines for regular-admit students. Those whose scores still fall below regular-admit status will register for the appropriate remedial class(es) during their first semester of enrollment.

Following the Placement Test

Applicants are notified immediately after the testing session of their scores and admission status. Each student is given a copy of his or her score report and the next steps of the admission process are discussed.

Remedial Support

Students in need of remedial support in one or more areas will be registered for remedial course(s) during advisement. Remedial courses will be taken concurrently with the appropriate degree/diploma level course. Remediation will be provided to students in support courses in a variety of formats and may include but is not limited to: during class remediation, after class remediation, individualized tutoring sessions or optional lab meetings. Grades earned for remedial courses will correspond to the grade earned in the co-requisite diploma or degree level course. Completion of the remedial course will assist students in preparing for other general education and occupational courses. In many cases, completion of remedial support classes is required to meet prerequisites for other courses.

Students who have met the test score requirements for regular admission into their chosen diploma or degree program should not register for remedial courses. In cases where a student registers for a course he or she does not need, the student may be required to pay back a portion of tuition and/or fees, and any financial aid that may have been received for the course.

Exemption from Placement Testing

In place of ACCUPLACER ® or COMPANION, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College will accept a student’s official entrance scores on a validated assessment instrument such as SAT®, ACT®, the Georgia High School Graduation Test in English/Language Arts, Milestones (ELA – Reading/Writing) or GED English and math College Ready, if the scores meet the colleges required minimum for the intended program. If a student’s SAT, ACT, or Georgia High School Graduation Test in English/Language Arts scores do not meet their selected program minimums for regular admission, a student must be assessed using ACCUPLACER or COMPANION. Assessment results will be valid for placement purposes for a period of 60 months and are transferable to any TCSG college. If a student’s scores are over 60 months (five years) old, they are considered to be invalid and the student will be required to retest. Students will not be required to pay the $5 per section retest fee if their test scores are invalid due to age.

Official transcripts from a regionally or nationally accredited postsecondary institution recognized by the United States Department of Education, documenting equivalent program-level English and math coursework, successfully completed with a “C” or better, will exempt a student from the placement test requirement. Students exempted from the placement test because of prior coursework will be required to take an English or math course if said coursework is not accepted as transfer credit.

Other Testing

A number of other exams are offered at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. Some are required for acceptance into allied health programs while others are professional or certification exams. Students scheduled to take these exams should arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start time to allow time to check in and be set up for the exam. Students arriving late will forfeit their testing reservation and fee, and will be required to reschedule (if slots are available). Students who wish to cancel testing reservations must contact the Testing Center at least 24 hours before the scheduled test date in order to be refunded the testing fee.

HESI Admission Assessment Exam (HESI A2)

Completion of the HESI Admission Assessment Exam (HESI A2), an assessment tool used to evaluate prospective students and their potential for successful program completion, is required for consideration of acceptance into many of the Allied Health programs (Registered Nursing, Practical Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Dental Assisting, and Surgical Technology).

All applicants must complete the following designated sections: Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge and Grammar, Anatomy & Physiology, Learning Profile & Personality Style, and Critical Thinking. Applicants are encouraged to complete an Anatomy and Physiology (or equivalent) course prior to taking the examination. A HESI A2 study guide is available through Elsevier.

Each program utilizes the results of the HESI A2 exam in a way which best meets the needs of the specific program. Please consult with your Academic Advisor, Program Faculty, or the Allied Health Advising Packet for program specific information.

Applicants have three (3) attempts to complete the HESI A2 Exam within a 2 year (24-month) time frame, with the highest score used for program selections. The scores are valid for two (2) year post examination date. HESI exam scores must meet the prior guidelines by application deadline. HESI Exam scores must be valid on the application deadline date.

Professional and Certification Exams

Professional exams for a number of IT certifications are offered in the Testing Center on the Valdosta campus. Examples of tests include exams offered by Pearson VUE, AMP, GACE, ASE, SAT and LEP. The Dental Assisting National Boards (DANB) and the National Boards for Surgical Technology are also given. Scheduling of these tests is done through the test providers, and test dates are limited. Test policies are determined by the certifying agency. National certification exams offered through NCCT are also available. These tests must be scheduled and paid for on the company’s website (www.ncctinc.com). In addition, the college offers the NOCTI exams for several programs offered at WGTC. Contact the Testing Center for further information.