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TESTING SERVICES
A wide range of standardized tests and other special
examinations are available to UWA students. Many of these can be taken on the
campus, and arrangements can be made through campus offices for those which are
offered only at other locations. Tests include a number which are given on
specific scheduled dates and others which may be taken as needed. Tests of a
general nature are usually coordinated through the Registrar’s Office or the
Counseling Office. Tests specifically related to the programs in
professional teacher education, however, are coordinated through the College of
Education and the School of Graduate Studies, and those required in the nursing
program are administered by the School of Nursing. (The Examination for
Registered Nurse Licensure, of course, is administered by the State Board of
Nursing in Montgomery after graduation.)
GENERAL TESTS OFFERED ON A REGULAR BASIS
The following tests of a general nature are offered on
regularly scheduled dates (specific information available from the Registrar’s
Office):
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General Education Development
Test (GED)
Primarily for mature
individuals who do not have high school diplomas; designed to assess
general knowledge in high school subject areas as a basis for
enrollment in post-secondary programs; offered eight times a year on
The University of West Alabama campus.
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American College Testing Program (ACT)
A college admissions test; offered on campus on four
national testing dates and at other times (residual testing dates) as needed
by UWA; required of all UWA freshmen before admission, for diagnostic and
placement purposes (the Scholastic Aptitude Test may be substituted).
TESTS FOR COUNSELING
AND CAREER DECISION-MAKING
Tests designed for special purposes are
available through the Counseling and Career Services Offices for counseling and career
development purposes. Most of these may be taken on demand, but a student will
generally need an appointment for interpretation of the results. Such tests
include the following types:
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Personality
(Please Understand Me), used in career planning
and in analysis of interpersonal conflicts.
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Career Decision-Making
The System of Interactive Guidance and Information
3 (SIGI
3), combines computer capabilities with thoroughly researched data
bases of occupations, skills, interests, values, and educational programs;
updated yearly, using professional information-gathering techniques providing
critical data about salaries and preparation for
educational requirements. A limited number of Strong Interest Inventories are
available for students seeking career counseling services.
In addition, students with particular problems or needs may
be referred by the Counseling Office to a testing center which provides a
more extensive testing program. In such a case, the student is responsible for
any charges set by the other institution.
TESTS RELATED TO PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
IN TEACHER EDUCATION
Certain tests related to professional programs in teacher
education are coordinated through the College of Education and the School of
Graduate Studies, and information on testing dates and locations may be obtained
from the Office of the Dean of the College of Education. These include the
following:
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Applicants
for initial certification must earn a passing score on the Alabama
Prospective Teacher Test approved by the Alabama State Board of
Education.
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The University of West Alabama undergraduate comprehensive
examinations - cover the content of the teaching field(s) and professional education; given at
midterm of fall and spring semesters.
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The Graduate Record Examination - an aptitude test and
subject area tests, the aptitude test being one of two options in the School of Graduate Studies (see
4); should be taken before beginning graduate study; not offered on campus.
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The Miller Analogies Test - one of the two options in the
School of Graduate Studies (see 3); offered on the campus on specified dates; should be taken
before beginning graduate study.
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The University of West Alabama test for graduate students
- offered on campus on specified dates and required of all graduate students: the Comprehensive Examination (offered in the fall, spring, and
summer semesters and required just prior to receipt of a master’s degree).
TESTS RELATED TO THE NURSING PROGRAM
Certain achievement tests in nursing are required of students
at various points in the program. A passing score on a nationally standardized
exit examination is required to be approved to apply for the registered nurse
licensure examination. Information on these
tests, as well as on the RN licensure examination, is available from the
Division of Nursing.
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