Both the ACT and SAT tests are designed to assess high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. The tests cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning.

Beginning the early part of 2005, a writing test is included as a part of each test. The ACT writing test is optional at the time you register. Florida colleges and universities do not require the writing test. The SAT includes a writing test that is not optional.

Visit ACT's Website: www.act.org
Visit SAT's Website: www.collegeboard.com

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The College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) is required by the State Board of Education Rule 6A 10.031 FAC for all A.A. degree candidates to measure student achievement in specified communication and math skills. The results become a part of the student's permanent record. The CLAST consists of subtests in the following areas -- Essay, Reading, English, and Mathematics.

The College-Level Examination Program is designed to test students' knowledge on a variety of college-level subjects, regardless of where they may have learned the material. CLEP exams are developed by committees of college faculty who design questions based on what is typically covered in lower-level college courses and who set passing standards for the exams (scores are no longer based on studies of student performance in college courses). With the new computer-based tests, new questions are constantly being added, especially in rapidly-changing fields such as Computer Science. The typical passing score on computer-based CLEP exams for general education purposes is 50. More information about CLEP, including recent test information guides, can be found at www.collegeboard.com/clep.

The DSST Program (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) is a nationally recognized testing program that gives you the opportunity to receive college credit for learning acquired outside the traditional college classroom. There are 37 test titles to choose from in the areas of Social Science, Business, Mathematics, Applied Tehcnology, Humanitites, and Physical Science. Since requirements differ from college to college, you shuold check with your institution before taking a DSST exam to see what credits, if any, will be awarded to you.

To ensure proper course placement, the Florida Department of Education Rule 6A-10.315 states that "……first-time-in-college students entering degree programs must be tested prior to initial registration and shall enroll in college preparatory reading, English and/or mathematics courses if their test scores are below college level." Students with college level SAT or ACT scores that are no older than 2 years may be exempt from taking the Florida College Placement Test (FCPT). Students who need to take the FCPT should take the test soon after submitting an admissions application to Northwest Florida State College.

The Tests of General Educational Development (GED) are developed by the American Council on Education to enable persons who have not graduated from high school to demonstrate the attainment of developed abilities normally acquired through completion of a high school program of study. The GED Tests provide a means of personal satisfaction, as well as, education and occupational opportunities for millions of adults who, for many reasons, were unable to complete their formal high school studies.

The Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE) are tests designed to measure achievement of basic skills commonly found in adult basic education curricula and taught in instructional programs. The content areas measured are reading, language, mathematics, and spelling. According to Florida Department of Education Rule 6A-10.040, students enrolled in various vocational programs must meet or exceed minimum basic skill levels and verification of these skill levels will be verified by the TABE. TABE scores are not used as a condition of admittance to the program, but may be used to counsel and advise students on his/her educational goals, including the possibility of remediation prior to program enrollment.