Assessment and Placement
Assessment and Placement
The College is committed to making sure that you are placed in the right classes so that you can succeed. Assessment Of Skills
Assessment of basic skills, through testing, is essential because it helps you know your strengths and weaknesses. Specifically, you need to be tested for reading, writing and mathematics skills to determine your readiness for college-credit courses prior to registration. This testing requirement is part of the Texas Success Initiative. Performance on tests will not be used as a condition of admission to the College. However, placement levels are used to determine which classes you can sign up for.
Levels All college-level courses at Del Mar College require specific assessment levels. Any assessment below Level III means that you need to enroll in developmental courses. An assessment level chart is found in the “Course Descriptions” section of this Catalog to assist you and advisors in determining your placement in coursework.
Testing
Standardized Testing You will be taking either the THEA, THEA QT, or the COMPASS tests. If you are an international student whose primary language is other than English, and you are taking only English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, you will take the Comprehensive English Language Test (CELT) to determine your placement into ESOL classes. You will pay the fees for these test(s); however, a few waivers are available through Financial Aid Services for qualified students. Be sure to request that an official report of test scores be sent to Del Mar College well in advance of registration.
Exemptions to Testing Requirements • If you have previously taken the TASP test. • If you have recent qualifying ACT, SAT, SAT1 or TAKS scores, you may be exempt from additional assessment testing. To prove exemption, you must submit official test scores to the Office of Admissions and Registrar. • If you have already graduated with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or are transferring from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and have satisfactorily completed college-level coursework in English and math, you may be exempt. Official college transcripts must be provided to the Office of Admissions and Registrar to prove exemption. 64