Students who have not earned a GED, high school diploma or high school equivalence, must pass an Ability to Benefit (ATB) test to be eligible for federal financial aid funds. Accuplacer and Combined English Language Skills (CELSA) have been approved by the Department of Education as Ability to Benefit test.
Accuplacer- ATB students whose native language is English must take the full Accuplacer test (math, English, and Sentence Skills) at the same time. Eligibility for federal aid funds requires that students meet the following test scores:
Reading Comprehension: Minimum score of 55
Sentence Skills: Minimum score of 60
Arithmetic: Minimum score of 34
CELSA. ATB students whose native language is not English and plan to take ESL courses towards obtaining a degree may take the CELSA exam in order to qualify for federal aid funds. CELSA passing score for form II is 34. CELSA passing score for form I is 37.
ACT Assessment- June only.
Prior registration is required. To register for a test date or find more information about this test, visit ACT's official website for more information and registration procedures, visit www.act.org/aap.
CELSA-English as a Second Language (ESL)
Non-native speakers with limited English language skills may need to take the CELSA exam to be placed in the appropriate ESL course. The CELSA exam can be taken any time at all AWC sites.
For more information regarding our ESL program visit the Modern Language Department.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) - By appointment only. Contact AWC Testing Services.
CLEP allows students the opportunity to receive credit by examination. CLEP credit policies vary among colleges and universities, so the credit given by AWC may be increased or decreased upon transfer.
The fee for each CLEP exam is $72.00, payable by check, money order or visa credit card to CLEP, and a $15 institutional testing fee payable to Arizona Western College. Appointments are necessary so please contact our office.
For additional information regarding AWC CLEP credit policy, review pages 10-11 of the AWC catalog.
General Exam for AWC Equivalent: General and Subject exams for AWC equivalent information.
For more information regarding the CLEP exam, visit: www.collegeboard.com/clep
Dantes Subject Standarized Test (DANTES) - By appointment only. Contact AWC Testing Services.
DSSTs provide an opportunity for people to obtain college credit for what they have learned in non-traditional ways. The DSST Program is made available by The Chauncey Group International(R) and is used by adult education programs, the United States Department of Defense and two and four-year colleges. Students who have successfully completed DANTES subject tests may be eligible to receive credit by examination for appropriate AWC courses.
For more information on the subject tests and course credits, read page 15 of the AWC catalog.
For more information regarding the DANTES exam, visit their official website: www.getcollegecredit.com.
Educational Resources Incorporated (ERI)
Students must be referred by the appropriate department. Students entering the Radiology and/or Massage Therapy program must take an ERI assessment test. The Nursing and Radiology Department will notify students.
Visit the ERI Homepage, www.eriworld.com for additional testing resources and study guides.
GED
People who have not had the opportunity to complete high school education may earn an Arizona High School Equivalency Diploma by successfully completing the General Education Development testing series. Contact AWC'S Testing Services to schedule an appointment.
Heating, Ventilations, Air Conditioning (HVAC)
By appointment only. Contact AWC's Testing Services to schedule an appointment.
Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
Prior registration is required. To register for a test date or find more information about this test, visit LSAT's official website: www.LSAC.org.
Pearson VUE
Prior registration is required. To register for a test date or find more information about the various tests offered through Pearson VUE testing visit their website: http://www.vue.com.
AWC Online, distance learning courses and make-up exams
Testing Services administers examinations for on-line courses and make-up tests. Instructors must complete the correct form and send it to the AWC site where the student is expected to test. The instructor should notify the student that the test is available at the Testing Center. Upon completion of the test, the Center will return the test to the instructor.
