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Testing for Placement and College Credit
(THEA, Compass, ACT, and CLEP)

The NCTC Counseling and Testing Center administers the following tests. Remember to have a photo ID with you when you come to take any of these tests:

 

THEA

(Texas Higher Education Assessment) The THEA test must be taken by all students (except those who are exempt) who enroll at public colleges in Texas.  The test is designed to measure the ability of students—as indicated by their skills in Reading, Writing and Math—to do college-level course work.   Students who demonstrate deficiencies in any of these areas will be required to enroll in at least one College Prep Course each semester until they have completed and passed all required remediation courses with a "C" or better. In addition, students who place into the first level of College Prep coursework (Reading, Writing, or Math), will be required to enroll in and complete Learning Framework (EDUC/PSYC 1300) as a co-requisite. Please consult our guide for College Prep Sequences and Requirements.

 

For more general information regarding THEA, or to access online practice tests, please visit the Official Thea Website. You can review a copy of the Official THEA Test Study Guide at any NCTC library.

 

Contact the Counseling and Testing Office at your preferred campus to confirm which THEA dates are still available, and then pay your $10 nonrefundable registration fee through the NCTC Business Office in order to reserve your seat in advance. You can make your $10 reservation payment over the phone or through Quickpay.  If you pay the fee online, you must retain your e-mail receipt and then contact the Counseling and Testing Office to finalize the reservation of your test date. Payment of the $10 fee does NOT guarantee you a seat on your preferred date-you can only confirm your test date by speaking directly with the Counseling and Testing Office. 

 

On the day of the exam you must bring the remaining $29.00 fee (check, money order, or credit card payable to ES/Evaluation Systems), a photo ID, 4-function non-programmable/non-scientific calculator, and two #2 pencils.

 

Upcoming THEA Dates

 

Gainesville	Corinth	Flower Mound	Bowie	Graham
May 24-FULL May 31 June 6 June 13 June 20 June 27	May 17-FULL May 24-FULL May 31-FULL June 6 June 13 June 20 June 27	May 24-FULL June 6 June 20	May 10 June 6 June 20	May 17 June 6 June 20

*Saturday test dates

 

COMPASS

 

North Central Texas College administers the COMPASS exam each semester for individuals who are unable to take the THEA.  In order for the COMPASS scores to be validated on a transcript, a student must attend NCTC for one semester.  COMPASS testing is available on a varied schedule at each NCTC campus during late registration, and on an appointment basis during each regular semester. Please contact the Counseling and Testing office nearest you in order to schedule a Compass test. On the day of the test bring $39.00 (cash, check, money order, or credit card payable to NCTC) and a photo ID, or you can pay your Compass fee in advance through Quickpay (you must bring your e-mail receipt to the Counseling and Testing Office on the day you test to confirm payment was made). Current NCTC students enrolled in College Preparatory classes are allowed to re-test on any section of Compass at no charge, but still need to schedule an appointment in advance for re-testing.

 

For more information about the COMPASS and to access FREE PRACTICE TESTS, visit the Official Compass Website.

 

ACT

North Central Texas College administers the ACT exam several times throughout the year.  To view a list of ACT testing dates and sites near you, or to register to take the ACT, please visit the Official ACT Website.

 

 

CLEP

North Central Texas College is permitted to administer the College Level Placement Exam (CLEP) for college credit for a number of College Level Courses. The CLEP is ONLY offered at the Gainesville Campus on the first Wednesday of each month, and you must call a day in advance to insure your seat.If you have ever attempted a course for which you are attempting to CLEP, then you are ineligible for that exam (ex. if you failed or withdrew from ENGL 1301, you are not eligible to take the CLEP College Composition exam).

 

On the day of the test bring $20.00 (cash or check made payable to NCTC) for each test ordered and $80.00 (check, credit card or money order payable to CLEP) for testing. Contact the Gainesville Counseling and Testing Center at 940-668-4216 for additional information and to schedule CLEP tests. North Central Texas College is not responsible for choosing which test you will need to take. You are required to know the exact name of the CLEP exam you wish to take when coming to test. For more information about CLEP and to access free practice exams please visit the Official CLEP Website.

 

For a list of CLEP tests offered and the course credit you can receive at NCTC, please consult this CLEP Credit chart. For questions regarding applying your CLEP credit towards your NCTC transcript, please contact Kate Richardson in the NCTC Admissions Office.