We are here to help organize the needs of the students that are based upon measured results. All kinds of testing goes on here - placement, personality, career interests, to name a few. The Assessment Center also proctors exams for other colleges, gives departmental tests, and in general, helps students find out how they've done and what that means.

SSC requires students who intend to pursue a degree or certificate to take a COMPASS® college placement test (computerized, un-timed test) in reading, English, and mathematics. This is not an entrance exam. It is a placement exam to ensure that all new students are placed into courses which are appropriate to their skill level. If the results indicate, an applicant is required to take the College Preparatory classes during their first semester and continue in subsequent semesters until all required work is completed. A placement into RDG080 and RDG081 restricts student registration to certain courses.

For more information on COMPASS®, including sample questions, visit the COMPASS® web site. Their site gives some general information about the assessment as well as review questions that students will find helpful in preparing for the test.

• Submit an SSC application to Admissions and Records
• Review for the placement testing using the resources provided above
• Check the testing schedule ( Testing Schedule online or in Admissions)
• Visit Room 2266 and request Placement Testing

After you complete your placement tests, your results will tell you which courses you are ready to take. You are required to take these placement courses in order to get the skills you will need for college work. You need to sign up for a two-hour orientation after testing during which you will be introduced to the college in more detail, learn about SSC's programs and services, have your assessment results interpreted for you and have any other questions you might have answered.

Your orientation counselor will be able to answer your placement questions. You may also petition a faculty member in the subject of placement that you think is not appropriate. Please ask the assessment personnel, or your orientation counselor, for the procedures and phone extensions that you will need.

SSC administers and accepts CLEP credit. College-Level Examination Program can be a good way to earn credit from training completed elsewhere but relevant to your educational objectives. For CLEP, you must contact the Assessment Center, room 2266, Ext. 2495, but you can fill out the application and get general information regarding the program by visiting CLEP.

SSC accepts credit earned by successful completion of the DANTES tests. DANTES is similar to the CLEP in format and function, although some different subject areas are covered.

If you are considering which test you might take in order to earn credit from previous training or experience, please check out both sites for subject areas. DANTES also has practice tests available for a modest fee. SSC gives the DANTES tests, also.

Also available at the Assessment Center:

• Illinois Constitution Test - Prepared by the State of Illinois
  ( Illinois Constitution study guide is available online from Southwestern Illinois College.)

• AP - College Credit for Advanced Placement Exams

The Business & Career Institute (BCI) of South Suburban College offers computer-based certification and licensure examinations for many sponsoring organizations in a comfortable, secure and dependable environment.

There are several widely accepted and very helpful interest inventories and personality measures that are used by counselors to help with making career-related decisions.

In order to take one of these, it is necessary to make an appointment with a counselor (Call Counseling, Ext. 2306) and obtain a permit. A permit simply indicates to the Assessment Center personnel which inventory or personality measure your counselor has decided will help you the most.

Since you are at this site, you are obviously looking for something related to assessment or testing. This is a huge domain. One of the most valuable sites we've found is Educational Testing Service which provides an exhaustive list of ETS testing links as well as listing references and materials. If you're looking for a test that we don't list above, try this site first.

You may need an e-mail address to get the results of the following surveys.

• You think you're smart? Mensa International.
• Interested in your personality type? Myers Briggs Personality
• Not enough? Keirsey Temperament Sorter