Academic Assessment and Testing Services Overview

Southwestern Michigan College does not require any tests as a condition of admission, but various tests can assist students in selecting the right courses to match their academic strengths and weaknesses.

Academic Assessment and Testing Services offers admissions assessment as well as many tests that can result in the attainment of college credit for passing the test. These tests include institutional tests in technology or business, as well as nationally standardized tests such as CLEP.

High school students who are part of SMC’s Early College programs are encouraged to take the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) tests, the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).

Some tests require a signed authorization form prior to testing. All forms are available in the Academic Assessment office. In general, all of the tests are given on a walk-in basis. However, there are some time restrictions. All tests must be started at least one hour, sometimes two hours, before the Academic Assessment office closes.

The following are some of the tests currently available at the Academic Assessment centers:

• Achieved Credit by Exam (A.C.E.) – These tests are one way to earn credit for some of our courses.
• Challenge Tests – These tests if successfully completed allow you to test out of a basic level course in order to schedule for the next level course.
• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) – CLEP provides students of any age with the opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement through a program of exams in undergraduate college courses. SMC is a testing site for CLEP. You do not need to be a student here to take a CLEP test. You can use your scores at SMC or have them sent to another institution.
• COMPASS™ Basic Skills Assessment - COMPASS™ is the computer-adaptive assessment program that helps quickly evaluate incoming students' skill levels in reading, writing and math allowing us to place you in appropriate courses so you can achieve academic success.

  Students who do not have a high school diploma, GED or the equivalent, can still qualify for financial aid by passing a U.S. Department of Education approved test based on your ability to benefit. For SMC students, this test is the Compass Test, administered in the Testing Center at both the Dowagiac and Niles Area campuses.

• Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³) - IC³ is a global training and certification program designed to validate an individual's basic computer skills and internet knowledge.

School of Nursing and Human Services Tests

• Competency Evaluation for Nurse Aids (CENA) Academic Assessment center on the Dowagiac campus proctors the knowledge portion of this test. The test is not available at the Niles Area Campus.
• National League of Nursing (N.L.N.) - NLN Achievement tests allow SMC faculty to evaluate course or program objectives and to compare their students' performance with those of a national sample. The Academic Assessment centers provide three RN achievement tests.
• Tests of Adult Basic Education (T.A.B.E.) - The T.A.B.E. Work –Related Foundation Skills test allow students who register for HEED 120, Nurse’s Assistant, to demonstrate their skills in reading, math computation, applied math, and language.