Click to Skip to Content
 
Take Our Web site Survey!
Take Our Web Site Survey!
 

Assessment and Testing Office Services:

(Click links above or scroll down to view information.)

Contact Information:
  • Phone: (210) 486-4346
  • Location: CCC-207

 

Helpful Links:

 

NOTICE:  STUDENTS MUST PRESENT A PICTURE ID FOR ALL EXAMS.

NO FOOD, DRINKS OR CELL PHONES WILL BE ALLOWED INTO THE TESTING CENTER.  PLEASE MAKE PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS TO KEEP CELL PHONES IN A SAFE PLACE.  TESTING CENTER WILL NOT HOLD CELL PHONES FOR EXAMINEES DURING EXAMS.

Texas Success Initiative
(THEA and Accuplacer)

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a state-legislated program that provides assistance with reading, writing and math skills of students entering Texas public colleges and universities. The program consists of testing, advisement, placement and developmental education for students who do not pass one or more sections of the test. There are several testing options as well as exemptions and waivers from the State mandate. Students need to be aware that while the State has their own standards of college level readiness, each individual institution can set their own depending on what the institution deems "College level ready." Visit the TSI page for more information. You may also contact the Testing and Assessment Office in person at CCC-207 or by phone at (210) 486-4346 for any further assistance.

Click here to visit the TSI Page

Exemptions & Waivers:

Click here for more information on Texas Success Initiative, please visit the TSI area of the catalog.

Assessment Tests

ACCUPLACER

Northwest Vista College offers assessment tests by administering the Accuplacer.  The computer-administered exam consists of four sections:

  • 90 minute essay
  • 20 question multiple-choice non-timed Reading Comprehension
  • 20 question multiple-choice non-timed Sentence Skills
  • 12 question multiple-choice non-timed Elementary Algebra

Results are available immediately following the exam. 

Purpose: The Accuplacer is a State approved exam and is required for new students enrolling at Northwest Vista College who have never taken any test for TSI purposes.  

Fee and ID: The Accuplacer requires a $15 fee for the entire exam and a valid picture ID.

Times available: The Accuplacer is offered on a walk-in basis on selected days of the week and by appoint on Saturday.  See the current Testing Schedule for available times. 

Re-testing: Students must wait six weeks before retaking the Accuplacer.  A $5 fee will be charged for each portion retaken.  Students must present a valid picture ID at the time of the exam.  There may be conditions that will allow re-testing less than 6 weeks.

Texas Success Initiative (TSI): The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has approved the Accuplacer as an exam for TSI required Assessment testing.  The scores earned from the Accuplacer for TSI purposes will transfer to any college if results are posted on a Northwest Vista College transcript.  Accuplacer scores are placed on a Northwest Vista College transcript when credits are earned with the college.

Accuplacer test scores may expire if no college credits are earned  two years after the test date.  Students with no intent to enroll at Northwest Vista College, but wish to test only and have their scores sent to another college/university should first check with the receiving institution to determine acceptance.  A score report will be furnished to the student upon request.  The college/university has the right not to accept Accuplacer scores if credits are not posted on a transcript.

State-Wide THEA Exam

The state-wide THEA Exam is offered by an independent testing service, National Evaluation Systems, Inc., six times throughout the year. You may pick up a THEA Test Registration Bulletin in the Student Success Center, CCC-207.

For more information visit The THEA website:
www.thea.nesinc.com

English as a Second Language (ESL) Placement Exams

First-time college students that speak English as a second language will need to take the English Placement Test.  The exam will cover listening comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, reading, and writing skills.  The exam takes about 90 minutes to administer.  There is no fee for the English Placement Test.  Students must present a valid picture ID at the time of the exam.  See the Testing Schedule and contact the Center for Workforce and Community Education at (210) 486-4428 to schedule a testing appointment.

QT - THEA

The QT, also known as THEA, is offered by Northwest Vista College in agreement with National Evaluation Systems, Inc.  The exam is similar to the state-wide THEA Exam, but is administered on Campus at select dates and times.  Those attempting the Math portion may use a simple four function calculator.  Other types of calculators such as Scientific Calculator or any other type of electronic device with calculator function will not be permitted.  Exams are mailed to NES for scoring within 24 to 48 hours.  NES may take 2 to 4 weeks to release the official scores. 

There is a fee of $29 by check, money order, or Credit Card (No cash payment). Checks and Money Order should be Payable to NES. See the Testing Schedule for testing dates.

NOTICE:  STUDENTS MUST PRESENT A PICTURE ID FOR ALL EXAMS

Make-Up Exams

Faculty have the opportunity to use the Assessment Office at specified times to administer make-up exams.  They must fill out an Exam Information Form per student and submit it at least 24 hours in advance.  Students are required to present a picture ID.

EXAM INFORMATION FORM (PDF)

EXAM ACCOMMODATIONS (ACCESS OFFICE/DISABILITY SERVICES)

Correspondence

Correspondence exams may be proctored during specified times.  There is a $10 fee for the service and the Assessment Office requests for students to confirm arrival of exam materials 24 hours prior to appointment time.  Students must also present valid picture ID at time of test.

Correspondence testing materials may be sent to the following:

Northwest Vista College
Assessment Office
Cypress Campus Center
3535 North Ellison Dr.
San Antonio, TX  78251
Attention to: Sofia M. Ongay

For further options call (210) 486-4346 or send an email to songay@mail.accd.edu.

CLEP Exams

Northwest Vista College is an open site for CLEP testing.  We offer all exams provided by College Board, however, NVC does not give credit for all exams.  For information on what exams are accepted at NVC please see the CLEP flyer and schedule. 

If CLEP/AP scores have been evaluated before June 1st, they will follow our previous policy and will not be re-evaluated for any new credits.

Information on content on specific CLEP Examm visit College Board at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html.

AP - Advanced Placement

Students taking the AP test will earn equivalent college credit from the Alamo Colleges when attaining the scores indicated and the credit is treated as equal to a grade CR in the corresponding course. (but is not included in GPA calculations).

AP credit is not applied to the transcript until the student has successfully completed 6 regular college credits at one of the Alamo Colleges and students may not earn more than 32 total hours from any testing equivalency source.

For information on what exams are accepted at NVC please see the AP flyer. 

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

The Assessment Office offers reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities by providing the following services:

  • Document Conversion (alternate print formats)
  • Assistive Computer Technology

For questions regarding special testing arrangements, please contact the Assessment Office at (210) 486-4346.  For additional information on what services Northwest Vista College provides for students with disabilities, please contact the Access Office by phone at (210) 486-4466 or by email at nvc-access@mail.accd.edu.

Back to Top

Frequently Asked Questions

IS THEA AN ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENT?
No. However, before registering for college level courses, all students must provide proof of meeting TSI requirements. Unofficial documents may be used for initial registration status. The official documents must be submitted by the semester’s census date. If not submitted, registration and transcript holds will be placed on students’ record.

HOW DO I PROVE I AM EXEMPT FROM TSI?
Student can provide an official transcript from the high school where SAT/ACT scores are recorded. If you previously attended another college/university and were exempt, provide those transcripts showing your exemption.

HOW OFTEN IS THE THEA TEST GIVEN?
The QT (THEA) test is offered in the Assessment office, CCC-207. See the current Testing Schedule. The State-Wide THEA Exam is offered by an independent testing service only 6 times per year, see your bulletin for dates.

WHAT IF I DON’T TAKE THE TEST WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME?
Students not taking the THEA or approved TSI exam test when required will not be able to register at Northwest Vista College.  The test information is used to determine appropriate placement into courses.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL ALL OR PART OF THE TEST?
If your performance is below the minimum passing standard for a tested skill area on the THEA Test or approved TSI exam, you will be permitted to enroll in the appropriate course placement based on your test results.

IF I FAIL A PORTION OF THE TEST, DO I HAVE TO TAKE THE ENTIRE TEST AGAIN?
No, you are not required to re-test. However, scores from Accuplacer that are more than 2 years old will expire and may not be used for course placement.

WHO MAY I CALL WITH ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
Students may call the Assessment Office at 486-4346. The Assessment Office is located with the Student Success Center in room 207 of Cypress Campus Center.

Helpful Links

ASSESSMENT TESTING SCHEDULE (PDF)

THE OFFICIAL THEA Web site

THE OFFICIAL THEA TEST STUDY GUIDE ORDER FORM


Practice Exams

THEA ONLINE FULL-LENGTH PRACTICE TEST

TEST PREP REVIEW (Reading Comprehension, Sentence Skills, Elementary Algebra, TX Writeplacer-Essay)

ACCUPLACER PRACTICE TESTS (MATH ONLY)

ACCUPLACER PRACTICE TEST 2 (MATH ONLY)

Back to Top