State-Mandated Tests
The state of Florida requires that students take certain standardized tests before they can:
- Enter or exit a program.
- Earn a degree, certificate or license.
- Practice a trade or enter a profession.
The most commonly taken state-mandated exams are described below.
The CPT is:
- Required for all students entering college-credit programs if they do not have valid ACT and/or SAT scores.
- Used for placement purposes in most college-credit programs.
CPT Fees:
- First time (Seminole State students): Free!
- Retakes (Seminole State students): $10 (individual or complete test)
- All attempts (non-Seminole State students): $25
Students Required to Test:
All degree-seeking first-time-in-college students and all college credit certificate-seeking students who wish to register in more than 12 cumulative credits must take the CPT. Such students may not register for any credit course at Seminole State until they have a set of complete scores on file. This includes students who hold only a vocational credit certificate.
The following are also required to test:
- All students who register for any English or mathematics course.
- All students seeking dual enrollment.
- All students who took a placement examination more than two years ago, whose scores were used for placement, but who have not yet passed a course in the corresponding subject area. Students who placed into the lowest levels (REA 0001C, ENC 0002C, or MAT0012C) do not need to retest in the corresponding subject area.
- All students who cannot provide ACT, SAT or CPT official scores or scores on an official transcript by the date of their orientation.
Students Exempt From CPT Testing:
Students are exempt from taking the CPT, unless it is needed as a prerequisite for a specific course, if they provide written documentation of one of the following:
- Official ACT or SAT scores are less than two years old and place the student into college-level coursework at Seminole State:
- SAT scores of 440 or above in verbal/critical reading or 440 or above in math.
- ACT scores of 18 or above in reading, 17 or above in English, or 19 or above in math.
If multiple test results are on record, the highest subtest scores are used. Students must take the appropriate CPT subtest(s) for any scores falling below the minimum exemption score. Students who have already registered for a mathematics course and are past the 100 percent refund deadline are not eligible to take the CPT mathematics subtest.
- Attended a regionally-accredited college or university in which English was the language of instruction and completed college-level or the highest college-preparatory-level course work, as evaluated by Seminole State, in English and/or mathematics, with a grade of "C" or higher.
- Has an A.A., bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree from a regionally-accredited college or university in which English is the language of instruction. (Official transcripts must be submitted to Seminole State for review).
- Official Seminole State record indicates that the student is enrolled in another college or university and has applied to Seminole State as a transient student.
- Official Seminole State record indicates that the student is enrolled for teacher recertification.
- Official Seminole State record indicates that the student is enrolled in a vocational program, Adult High School, ABE/GED, a community education course or a continuing education course.
Important Reminders for Students:
- College preparatory courses begin with a zero (0). They do not count toward a degree. However, these courses do count toward eligibility for VA benefits, financial aid and interscholastic athletics. Rule 6A-10.315 requires students to begin college prep courses during their first 12 hours at Seminole State. This rule does not give Seminole State the authority to make exceptions to the requirement.
- Rule 6A-10.315 limits students to three attempts to pass each college prep course, including original grades, repeat grades and withdrawals. Upon the third attempt, the student is assessed the full cost of instruction, is not permitted to withdraw and receives a grade for the course. The student may petition to waive the full cost of instruction due to extenuating circumstances or financial hardship by requesting a "Petition for Administrative Record Change" (non-refundable) form at the registration/records counter in the Student Services Building.
CPT 2009-2010 English Placement Scores:
To be valid, test scores must be less than two years old.
- CPT Reading Score
- 20 - 41 = TABE for reading placement
- 42 - 52 = REA 0001C or LOEP for EAP placement
- 53 - 82 = REA 0002C or LOEP for EAP placement
- > 83 = No prep reading required
- CPT Sentence Skills Score
- 20 - 71 = ENC 0001C or LOEP for EAP placement
- 71 - 82 = ENC 0011C or LOEP for EAP placement
- > 83 = No prep writing required
- CPT Reading and Sentence Skills Score
Note: Preparatory English and reading must be completed prior to entering English I and/or any Gordon Rule course.
CPT 2009-2010 Mathematics Placement Scores
To be valid, test scores must be less than two years old.
- CPT Elementary Algebra Score
- 20 - 46 = Use arithmetic score below. If no arithmetic score, then MAT 0012C.
- 47 - 71 = MAT 0024C: Basic Algebra, or MAT 0020C: Integrated Math
- 72 - 120 = Use College Level Math (CLM) score below. If no CLM, then MAT 1033: Intermediate Algebra.
- CPT Arithmetic Score
- 20 - 24 = ABE Math
- 25 - 74 = MAT 0012C: Fundamentals and Algebra, or MAT 0020C: Integrated Math
- 75 - 120 = MAT 0024C: Basic Algebra
- CPT College Level Math (CLM) Score
- 20 - 39 = MAT 1033: Intermediate Algebra
- 40 - 62 = MAC 1105: College Algebra, or MGF 1106: College Mathematics, or MGF 1107: Liberal Arts Math, or STA 2023: Statistics
- 63 - 96 = MAC 1140*: Precalculus Algebra, or MAC 1114*: Trigonometry, or MAC 2233*: Concepts of Calculus
- 97 - 120 = MAC 2311*: Calculus I
* These courses are rigorous. All students registering for them are encouraged to e-mail Math Department Chair Lane Vosbury or call 407.708.2252 to set up a meeting prior to the start of class.
The ACT is:
- An acceptable placement exam that allows students to meet the state-mandated college-credit entry requirement.
- Replaceable by the CPT if students wish to challenge their ACT placement.
Seminole State is a national ACT testing center, offering the test four times each year.
ACT 2009-2010 Placement Scores:
To be valid, test scores must be less than two years old.
- ACT Reading Score
- 18 or above = No prep reading required
- 17 or below = CPT required
- ACT English Score
- 17 or above = No prep writing required = CPT required
- ACT Reading and English Score*
- 18 or above in Reading and 17 or above in English = ENC 1101: English I
-
ACT Mathematics Score
- 18 or below = CPT required
- 19 - 24**** = MAT 1033: Intermediate Algebra, or CPT
- 25 - 28 = MAC 1105: College Algebra**, or STA 2023: Statistics, or MGF 1106: College Mathematics, or MGF 1107: Liberal Arts Math, or CPT
- 29 - 30 = MAC 1140: Precalculus Algebra***, or MAC 1114: Trigonometry***, or MAC 2233: Concepts of Calculus.*** Otherwise, MAC 1105: College Algebra**, or MGF 1106: College Mathematics, or MGF 1107: Liberal Arts Math, or STA 2023: Statistics
- 31 or above = MAC 1140: Precalculus Algebra***, or MAC 1114: Trigonometry***, or MAC 2233: Concepts of Calculus***. For entrance into MAC 2311,*** Calculus I or higher, students must take the CPT College Level Math (CLM) portion only.
* Students must meet both score requirements to be eligible for English I.
** Students who take MAC 1105 (College Algebra) and plan to go on to MAC 2311 (Calculus) will take the following course sequence: MAC 1105-> MAC 1140->MAC 1114->MAC 2311.
*** These courses are rigorous. All students registering for them are encouraged to e-mail Math Department Chair Lane Vosbury or call 407.708.2252 to set up a meeting prior to the start of class.
**** It is our strong recommendation that students whose ACT mathematics score falls within the 19-21 range take the CPT for appropriate placement. ACT scores are only valid for two years.
The SAT is:
- An acceptable placement exam that allows students to meet the state-mandated college-credit entry requirement.
- Replaceable by the CPT if students wish to challenge their SAT scores.
- A commonly required admissions test throughout the United States.
The GED is a national testing program that provides an alternative method for obtaining a high school equivalency diploma. Seminole State is a national GED testing center. Any Florida resident without a high school diploma is eligible to take the GED exam at Seminole State.
GED Fees:
- First Time: $70
- Retakes: $14
- Language Arts (writing only): $16
The TABE is a basic skills exam that meets the state-mandated entry requirements for:
- Non-college-credit career programs.
- Adult Basic Education programs.
- The GED preparation program.
- Seminole State's Adult High School.
TABE Fees (Non-Seminole State students):
- Survey Form: $25
- Complete Battery: $40
- Retakes: $25
The CASAS:
- Helps place non-native English speakers in the appropriate level courses.
- Meets the state-mandated entry requirement for students entering Seminole State's ESOL Program.
The LOEP:
- Helps place non-native English speakers in the appropriate level courses.
- Meets entry requirements for students entering Seminole State's English Language Institute.
- Places students in the English for Academic Purposes Program and pre-English I courses.
The TOEFL:
- Is designed for international students who are studying in countries where North American English is the language of instruction.
- Helps place non-native English speakers in the appropriate level courses.
- Meets entry requirements for students entering Seminole State's English Language Institute.
College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST)
As of July 1, 2009, the CLAST exam is no longer required to earn an Associate in Arts degree from Florida's public institutions. However, students must still prove college-level proficiency in communication and mathematics by meeting the College-Level Academic Skills (CLAS) requirement.
Students who cannot meet the CLAS requirement for any reason (disability, language barrier, etc.) should request a CLAS waiver form from their academic adviser or the Assessment and Testing Office.
The CLEP is a nationally recognized exam, and passing it indicates a student's college-level competency in various subjects. Seminole State is a national CLEP testing center, offering the exam to anyone in the Central Florida community who is eligible to take it.
CLEP Fees:
- Testing: $72
- Registration: $15
The DANTES is a nationally recognized testing program that was initially designed for military veterans and reservists. Passing the exam indicates a student's college-level competency in various subjects. Seminole State is a national DANTES testing center, offering the exam to anyone in the Central Florida community who is eligible to take it.
DANTES Fees:
- Testing: $80
- Registration: $15
The FCAT is a state-mandated exam that students must pass to obtain a high school diploma. It is required for students who started ninth grade during the 1999-2000 school year or after, even if continuous enrollment was not maintained. Seminole State is an FCAT testing center, offering the exam to anyone in the Central Florida community who is eligible to take it.
The FTCE is required for students wishing to earn a Florida Teaching Certificate. Students must pass various sections of the exam to be certified to teach in a specific subject area. Seminole State is an FTCE testing center. Students may register for the exam through the Florida Department of Education.
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