|
Pre-Enrollment Student Assessment
Bismarck State College is committed to helping
students achieve their educational goals while attending
college. Numerous studies of college students across the
country have found that one of the most important predictors
of student success is how well they do in their first
semester or year of college. Crucial to success is enrollment
in appropriate levels of instruction based on readiness
for college level work. If students enroll in courses
for which they are academically prepared, they should
likely succeed. To enhance our students’ chance of success,
the BSC Assessment Committee and respective departments
implemented the initial pre-enrollment assessment scores for
the 1997-98 school year.
A pre-enrollment assessment is required of all
first-time and non-continuously enrolled degree-seeking
(full-time & part-time) students applying for admission in
Liberal Arts courses or Technical Programs. Students will
have their assessment scores screened for proper placement
in English, math and reading and to be admitted to a limited
enrollment Technical Program.
North Dakota State Board of Higher Education policy
requires all students ages 24 or under and/or students with
less than 24 semester hours of completed college credit
to submit ACT Assessment scores for admission to a ND
University System college or university. Students with
ACT scores more than five years old must also complete
the COMPASS placement exam.
Bismarck State College also requires all students
ages 25 or older to submit COMPASS assessment scores
in the areas of English, math and reading, unless exemptions
apply. All students who plan to take an English or
math course must submit appropriate assessment scores
prior to enrollment. Transfer students' transcripts will be
evaluated to determine if exemptions apply.
Students who meet all admission requirements will
be admitted to BSC. They will not be denied admission to
the college based on test scores. However, they will need
to meet established criteria for enrollment in certain courses
and programs.
Sometimes test scores on previous academic work indicates
the need for college preparation work before enrollment
in some college level courses or programs. Advisers
will use assessment scores to assist students in registering
for courses in which they will most likely succeed.
|
ACT Assessment
A student must register directly with ACT for a specific
test date. Registration materials are available at BSC
Admissions or Testing Services offices or at any high school
counseling office. Students may also register online by
visiting the ACT Web site.
COMPASS Assessment
The COMPASS computerized placement exam is offered
on the campus of BSC at various times each semester.
Prior to registering for the COMPASS placement exam,
students must fill out and submit the North Dakota University
System Application for Admission. Students will
be required to pay a $15 fee prior to testing. The fee may
be paid the day of the exam. An appointment is required
and sessions are limited. Please contact Testing Services
at 701-224-5658 to schedule an appointment to take the
COMPASS Exam. The
BSC Testing Services Office is located in Schafer Hall Room 115.
Assessment for Limited Enrollment Vocational
Technical Programs
Students applying for admission to limited enrollment
Technical Programs are required to obtain specific placement
scores before being accepted in that program. The
placement scores are developed to reflect the probability
of academic and employment success. Each program
will designate assessment scores for both the ACT and
COMPASS. Some programs will have a composite assessment
score, whereas others will have assessment scores
in specific areas such as math, reading, or English. The following
programs require minimum assessment scores before acceptance.
|
