Schedule a Test/Exam
Please read all "Exam Guideline Acknowledgements" before selecting "I agree to follow the above guidelines.” Once you select "I agree to follow the above guidelines" and register for an exam, you have agreed to all guidelines and will be held to them.
Testing offers the following assessments on predetermined test days
Southwest is a Residual testing center for the ACT®. The results of this test will only be reported to Southwest. Students who want to have ACT® results sent to other colleges, institutions or agencies must take the National ACT® on one of the five national test dates. In addition, the Union Avenue Campus administers the National ACT® in April, June and December of each year.
Residual ACT®
Follow the steps below to register for the Residual ACT®.
- An Online Admissions Application to Southwest must be completed before taking the ACT®.
- You may also practice online at the ACT® Test Prep website.
- Register for the Residual ACT at the Macon Cove Campus
Students who attended other colleges and universities and are now seeking admission to Southwest, must first have an official college transcript sent from the previous institution to determine whether placement testing is needed. Students who graduated from high school within the past 5 years, and have not attended any other college or university, will be placed into courses based on either the high school grade point average (GPA) or SAT/ACT scores, whichever is higher.
ACCUPLACER is an integrated system of computer-adaptive assessments designed to evaluate students' skills in reading, writing and mathematics. For more than 30 years, ACCUPLACER has been used successfully to assess student preparedness for introductory credit-bearing college courses. ACCUPLACER delivers immediate and precise results. It offers both placement and diagnostic tests, to support intervention and help answer the challenges of accurate placement and remediation.
Sample Questions
Sample questions can be found at the ACCUPLACER sample question page.
ACCUPLACER Retest Policy
Retesting is allowed one time, five days before the first day of class when students do not place college level on any of the three tests. This will allow time for repeat advising should the student place at college level. There is a 48-hour waiting period between the initial test and retest to allow for study time. Retesting is not allowed once a student has received a grade (A, B, C, D, F, FA, I, N, P, S, U or W) in a reading, writing or math course. If a grade has been earned, the student must pick up where they left off.
ACCUPLACER can be used in one of three ways to challenge (or attempt to improve) previous scores (before starting classes).
Using ACCUPLACER to Improve Placement Scores
| Initial Placement Exam Taken | Ways to Challenge With ACCUPLACER |
|---|---|
| Initial Test Scores = Southwest ACT Residual | ACCUPLACER once for free |
| Initial Test Scores = ACT National/SAT | ACCUPLACER once for $20 fee |
| Initial Test Scores = ACCUPLACER (free) | ACCUPLACER once for $20 fee |
Test Cost
Non-Southwest students can take ACCUPLACER for $25, each time.
We accept ACCUPLACER scores from other Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) institutions.
Register for Accuplacer in person testing
A student must be registered with Center for Access (Disability Services) and be approved for special testing arrangements by the Center for Access (Disability Services) coordinator each semester. Once approved, the Center for Access (Disability Services) registrant and each of their instructors are responsible for providing special testing arrangements. After the instructor receives the disability accommodation form, the instructor and student should discuss how to best meet the special testing need. Instructors can test in a separate classroom, during office hours, or at a designated, reduced-distraction location provided by each site. Site coordinators and instructors should work out any proctoring requirements and special test instructions.
Pay close attention to the types of ADA testing offered when scheduling online for the Macon Cove Campus. There are three types of ADA testing accommodations offered:
1. ADA Testing (Computerized)
Student has a computerized test and can test in regular testing lab with extended testing time.
Register for ADA Computerized Testing
2. ADA Testing (Paper & Pencil)
Student has a paper and pencil test and can test in regular lab with extended testing time.
Register for ADA Paper & Pencil Testing
3. ADA (Private Room, Scribe, Interpreter, Reader, etc.)
Student has a paper and pencil test or computerized test and has been approved for a private room, has a scribe, interpreter, reader, etc. and requires a private room setting.
Register for ADA PrivateRoom, Scribe, Interpreter, Reader, Testing
Please make sure you schedule the correct type of ADA testing needed so the Testing staff can arrange to accommodate as many students as possible. If you have questions, please call 901-333-4170.
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) helps you receive college credit for what you already know, for a fraction of the cost of a college course. Developed by the College Board, CLEP is the most widely accepted credit-by-examination program. It is available at more than 2,900 colleges and universities. Pass any of the 33 CLEP exams to help you achieve your college and career goals.
Note: You must purchase a CLEP exam registration ticket (voucher) from College Board for each exam you plan to take.
Purchase a CLEP Voucher
My Account is a self-service feature that enables candidates to create and manage their own personal accounts, register and prepay for CLEP exams and purchase study materials all in one place.
All candidates (with the exception of certain test-takers with disabilities) must register and pay their exam fee through the My Account Registration Portal.
Testing does not create registrations or collect payment for exam fees ($89). Southwest does collect a $25 administrative fee before scheduling each CLEP exam.
Exam Registration Ticket
Once a you register and pay the exam fee using the My Account Registration Portal, you will be able to review and print the CLEP Exam Registration Ticket. In addition, you will receive an automated email confirming the registration and telling you to print the registration ticket, along with other pre and post test-day reminders. A CLEP Exam Registration Ticket is valid for six months. The expiration date will be printed on the ticket.
If you have questions regarding My Account or the CLEP Exam Registration Ticket, please call CLEP Services at 800-257-9558 or 609-771-7865 or email clep@info.collegeboard.org.
Please visit the College Board CLEP Exam Day Info page. Near the bottom review the acceptable forms of ID. Also, review prohibited items, such as hats (unless worn as a religious requirement), hoodies, watches, pencils, etc.
One form of government-issued identification will be acceptable for CLEP test-takers. A secondary form of ID will no longer be required. The primary identification must be valid and current, must bear the test-taker's full name in English language characters, and must contain a photograph and a signature.
DANTES helps eligible military members and their eligible spouses pursue educational goals by funding DSST exams (first attempts only) at military bases and institutions across the country.
All Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.) and Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree graduating students are required to take The ETS® Proficiency Profile test. This 40-minute test is completed online at the student’s convenience. Once a graduation application has been completed, the student will receive an email from Testing with instructions and deadline date.
The ETS® Proficiency Profile test measures proficiency in critical thinking, reading, writing and mathematics in the context of humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. It also measures academic skills developed in general education courses, as opposed to subject knowledge taught.
ETS® Proficiency Profile test questions are multiple-choice and are arranged in blocks of three to eight.
When you take the ETS® Proficiency Profile test, remember that your efforts count. The ETS® Proficiency Profile test helps both Southwest and the state of Tennessee decide how successful the college has been. Your work affects the Southwest's funding and more importantly, the college's reputation.
The better Southwest's reputation is the more valuable your degree becomes.
ETS® Proficiency Profile Sample Questions
The ETS® Proficiency Profile sample questions illustrate the skills measured, contexts covered and the difficulty of the questions. The answers are for reference only. They are not actual questions currently used on the test.
Students with a disability, who need special accommodations, should contact the Center for Access (Disability Services) for help.
Remember to check the Graduation/Commencement website for all updates.
FISDAP is a computerized test for Southwest emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic students. It assesses the students' knowledge from material covered in class and in the field.
Only Computer Based Testing (CBT) offered (No Paper)
The HiSET® exam includes five subtests that you can schedule to take in any order:
- Language Arts – Reading, 65 minutes in English and 80 minutes in Spanish (50 multiple choice questions)
- Language Arts – Writing, 120 minutes:
- Part 1 (60 multiple choice questions)
- Part 2 (1 essay)
- Mathematics, 90 minutes (55 multiple choice questions)
- Science, 80 minutes (60 multiple choice questions)
- Social Studies, 70 minutes (60 multiple choice questions)
Total test time (full battery) just over 7 hours
Days Offered: Wednesdays Only
HiSET Testing Requirements and State Eligibility Requirements
To take the HiSET exam in the state of Tennessee, you must meet the following requirements:
- Age: You must be at least 18 years of age without a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate to take the HiSET exam. If you are 17 years old you must have an age waiver signed by the Director of Schools before you can test. For information about exceptions to this policy, review the additional policies section below.
- Residency: You do not have to be a resident of Tennessee to take the HiSET exam.
- Identification: You must present identification on test day at the HiSET test center. Acceptable Forms: A valid driver's license, passport, military ID, or other form of government issued (national or foreign) identification. The ID must show your name, address, date of birth, signature and photograph. Outdated or expired IDs will not be accepted.
How to Register
Once you are ready to take the test, you can schedule your testing appointment:
- Online through your HiSET account https://hiset.org/
Identification Requirements
You will need to bring:
- Acceptable and valid ID as required by Tennessee. Make sure your name on your ID appears EXACTLY as it does on your profile you created in your HiSET account when you scheduled your HiSET exam.
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation from Southwest. Now that you have completed your graduation application, one requirement for those completing an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is a major field exam (MFE). Failure to complete the exam will keep you from graduating as planned.
To save time, we have automated the major field exam process. You can now complete this exam at your convenience from campus or home. You do not have to pass the exam, but you do have to complete the exam. We do ask that you answer the questions to the best of your ability. Using a desktop or laptop computer (not your phone) via Firefox, please go to the PAWs learning environment on the Southwest website to complete this graduation requirement. The deadline to complete this graduation requirement is:
- December 5 for Fall graduates;
- May 5 for Spring graduates; and
- August 5 for Summer graduates.
If you are currently registered with the Center for Access (Disability Services) and require accommodations, please email Courtney Gipson or Amanda Prewitt before attempting to take this exam.
Steps for Taking the Exam
- Go to PAWS at https://elearn.southwest.tn.edu/d2l/login.
- Log in to PAWS using your Southwest email address and password.
- Click on the course selection tool icon (grid or waffle-like button with nine little squares) at the top of the page.
- Select Major Field Exam course.
- Confirm it is the correct test (that it matches your major). If not, call 901-333-4170.
- Follow instructions and complete the exam.
Should you need technical support, please submit a Digital Learning Helpdesk ticket at Student Request for PAWS Assistance.
To ensure information is documented, the Digital Learning helpdesk system is the quickest way to receive, document, and find a resolution for students inquiring about PAWS support. This request is only specific to PAWS technical support, all other language on the “Testing” webpage is controlled by the testing center, which means the “Major Field Exam” requests will be relayed to Digital Learning via the helpdesk by the testing office as needed.
Again, congratulations on your upcoming graduation! Please do not wait until the last minute to complete this requirement or miss the deadline.
This test is restricted to applicants seeking admission to the Nursing Program at Southwest.
Students seeking consideration for Southwest's spring nursing program must complete
the H-PAX exam by October 15.
Those seeking consideration for Southwest's fall nursing program must complete the
H-PAX by February 1.
Six (6) months must elapse before retesting if a composite score of less than 90 is earned.
Students scoring between 90 and 99 must contact the Nursing Department (901-333-5425) for approval to retest in three (3) months instead of six (6) months. This approval letter must be received by the Testing Department (testing @southwest.tn.edu) prior to scheduling a three (3) month retest. Testing without Nursing Department approval will result in scores that are null/void.
Testing provides test administration services for students affiliated with out-of-town colleges/universities. The student must contact their home school for all requirements and schedule a testing appointment. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the home school and make all needed arrangements. Information may be emailed to Testing or mailed directly to:
Southwest Tennessee Community College
5983 Macon Cove
Farris Building, Room 2182
Memphis, TN 38134
Note: Testing materials must be received at least 48 hours before your scheduled test date and time. If materials are not received 48 hours before your scheduled test date and time, you will not be allowed to test.
More Information About Proctored Exams
- All tests or access to online tests must be sent to Testing at least 48 hours before the scheduled test date and time. The test taker should call Testing to confirm receipt of testing materials 48 hours before the scheduled appointment time.
- All test taker must present a valid picture ID to be admitted into the testing room.
- Materials needing to be returned by mail will be returned via United States Postal Service unless otherwise specified. The student must provide postage-paid envelopes.
- All proctored exams are given at the Macon Cove Campus.
- All exams requiring computer access, must use Southwest computers. No additional software will be added for individual testing purposes. No outside devices will be allowed for any exams. Personal Laptops, Microsoft Surface devices and tablets are not allowed in the testing lab. Testing reserves the right to determine what can or cannot be used.
- Failure to comply with Southwest policies, forfeits your ability to test with Southwest.
Register for the Distance Learning computerized test at the Macon Cove Campus
Distance Learning paper & pencil test at the Macon Cove Campus
This test is restricted to applicants seeking admission to the Radiologic Technology Program at Southwest. Students are required to submit results from the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) as a part of the admissions process.
Examinees must wait 14 days before retesting.
CREATE AN ACCOUNT PRIOR TO TEST DAY
What is the TEAS?
The ATI TEAS, or Test of Essential Academic Skills, is a standardized test designed
specifically to assess a student's preparedness for entering the health science fields.
Questions are designed to test the basic academic skills you will need to perform
successfully in the areas of: Reading, Math, Science, and English and Language Usage.
Why do I (the student) have to take the TEAS?
The ATI TEAS has been statistically proven to be a valid predictor of early nursing
school success. Your score on the TEAS is one measure of academic preparedness that
helps Southwest Tennessee Community College consider your acceptance into our Radiologic
Technology Program.
What does the TEAS exam consist of?
The ATI TEAS test is comprised of 170 questions that are formatted as both multiple
choice items with 4 answer options and alternate-type items. This includes 150 scored
questions and 20 unscored pretest questions. Students have 209 minutes to complete
the exam.
The number of questions in each content section and subsection are as follows:
- Reading – 45 questions (55 minutes)
- Key Ideas & Details – 15
- Craft & Structure – 9
- Integration of Knowledge & Ideas – 15
- Unscored Pretest Items – 6
- Math – 38 questions (57 minutes)
- Numbers & Algebra – 18
- Measurement & Data – 16
- Unscored Pretest Items – 4
- Science – 50 questions (60 minutes)
- Human Anatomy & Physiology – 18
- Biology – 9
- Chemistry – 8
- Scientific Reasoning – 9
- Unscored Pretest Items – 6
- English & Language Usage – 37 questions (37 minutes)
- Conventions of Standard English – 12
- Knowledge of Language – 11
- Using Language and Vocabulary to Express Ideas in
- Writing – 10
- Unscored Pretest Items – 4
How do I learn more about the exam?
How should I prepare for the TEAS exam?
ATI, the official provider of prep for the exam, recommends that you allow yourself
at least six weeks to prepare for the exam.
There are a variety of prep resources available to help you study for the test – all aligned to the ATI TEAS, Version 7 and packed with thousands of practice questions based on the content and format of the actual exam.
The TN eCampus Collaborative provides comprehensive educational programs and courses through a coordinated network of Tennessee colleges, universities and applied technology colleges. This collaborative arrangement has made TN eCampus one of the most unique and successful online degree, certificate and diploma programs in the United States.
Be advised all TN eCampus exams are given at the Macon Cove Campus. Seats are filled on a first-come-first-serve basis, so schedule your exam time early. There is no charge for Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) online degree students.
The TABE test is restricted to applicants seeking admission to the Pharmacy Technician program at Southwest which begins each fall semester. Students are required to submit results from the TABE test as part of the admissions process.
Prospective candidates for the Pharmacy Technician Program can only take the TABE test a maximum of two times per semester. It is recommended that students wait a minimum of 14 days before attempting to retake the test. This will allow the prospective candidate a chance to refresh themselves of subject matter covered by the test.
Contact Us
- 901-333-4170
- testing@southwest.tn.edu
- Director, Chateeka "Teeka" Farris
- 901-333-4589
- Test Administrator, Patricia Brown
- 901-333-4170
