Testing Information

Delgado’s Testing Center

Delgado Community College’s Testing Center offers a variety of tests for students, businesses, and community members, including academic assessments, English as a Second Language (ESL) tests, college placement exams, ACT, nursing entrance exams, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), WorkKeys, certification / competency exams, and career assessments. Call (504) 671-5080 or (504) 671-5086, or visit Building 2, Room 302 at the City Park Campus to make an appointment.

Delgado provides three types of tests to determine a new student’s best placement for college courses. The tests are

• Placement Tests in English, math, and reading
• Ability to Benefit Test
• English Language Proficiency Test

The following information describes each test and provides guidelines indicating which tests you may be required to take. A testing fee may be assessed for these exams. All examinees will be required to present a photo ID for admittance to the test.

 Placement Tests

Placement tests are designed to determine levels of proficiency in the basic skills of reading, writing, and mathematics. Students who demonstrate a need for basic skills development will be advised into the appropriate developmental studies course(s) via their placement test results. This service is designed to make sure you are placed in classes where you can be successful.

All degree-seeking college students (new, transfer, and Re-admit students) who have not successfully completed college-level English and math courses or successfully completed developmental English or math courses with a grade of “C” or better within the last three years are required to take the Delgado placement tests. Study guides are available at the office of Advising and Testing or at www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html.

Most tests are computerized. Study Guides are available. If you have a copy of your ACT score, bring it to the placement test. Each placement testing session lasts approximately two and a half hours. Scores are valid for three years.

Use this ACT test score table to determine which placement test, if any, you will be required to take. ACT scores must be fewer than three years old.

*You may qualify for advanced placement. First-time freshmen who submit ACT scores of an acceptable level for advanced placement must fill out the appropriate form in the office of Advising and Testing during their first 30 credit hours to receive the advanced placement credit.

An English score of 25 or higher and/or a composite score of 22 or higher qualifies a student for consideration for honors courses. Contact the Communication Division on the City Park Campus at (504) 671-6536.

Students who require testing must take a placement test before they register. Orientation, Advising, Registration, and Support services (OARS) may follow the placement tests. OARS appointments will be after the 5 p.m. placement tests.

Spring 2012 Test Schedule

PLACEMENT TEST

City Park Campus

You must call (504) 671-5080 or (504) 671-5086 to make a testing reservation and/or to receive information.

Jefferson

You must call (504) 671-6770 or (504) 671-6747 to make a testing reservation and/or receive information.

Northshore – Covington

Placement tests must be taken before registering for classes. To schedule a placement test, call Covington at (504) 671-6600 or Slidell at (504) 671-6610. Seating is limited. You are strongly encouraged to apply and test early as testing slots are limited during open registration.

Northshore - Slidell

West Bank Campus

Placement tests, including Ability to Benefit (ATB), must be taken before registering for classes. To schedule a placement test at the West Bank Campus, please call (504) 762-3198. Seating is limited. You are strongly encouraged to apply and test early as testing slots are limited during open registration.

PLACEMENT TESTS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Special placement tests for students with disabilities who require special testing arrangements will be held by appointment. Contact Disability Services at (504) 762-3229 on the West Bank Campus, (504) 671- 5161 at the City Park Campus, and (985) 893-6286 or (504) 671-6600 on the Northshore.

VERIFICATION EXAMS

Verification exams are optional exams given to verify placement in math, reading and/or English as a result of the Delgado Placement Test. It is usually offered throughout a semester until the first week of class. There is an assessment fee for each subject. Call Advising and Testing at the location you are attending for details. Appointments are necessary.

ABILITY TO BENEFIT (ATB) TEST

The ATB test is required for applicants who are not high school graduates. The College may admit only those students who have demonstrated their ability to benefit from the training they would receive here.

If you are over 17 years old and if you

• are not a graduate of a regionally accredited high school

OR

• do not hold a GED diploma

then you must demonstrate that you have the ability to benefit from college training by passing an ATB test. The ATB test is available only in English. Students who do not pass the ATB test may enroll in up to 11 credit hours while they improve their reading, writing, and mathematics skills. However, students are not eligible for financial assistance until they pass the ATB or until they have fulfilled other admission requirements. ATB scores are valid indefinitely.

City Park Campus

Testing must be completed before registering for classes. For information about ATB testing on the City Park Campus call (504) 671-5080. 

Jefferson

West Bank Campus

Testing must be completed before registering for classes. For information about ATB testing on the West Bank Campus call (504) 762-3198.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) ATB TEST

City Park Campus 

Jefferson

ENGLISH PLACEMENT TEST

City Park Campus

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TEST

All new, transferring and International students whose native language is not English must take the Delgado English Language Proficiency Test. International students whose native language is not English are required to take the Delgado English Language Proficiency Test. Enrollment in English as a Second Language (ESLN or ESLR prefixes) courses is required if an English language deficiency is determined. Although the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is not required, students who have taken the TOEFL and passed the with a score of at least 500 and with a minimum score of five on the Test of Written English (TWE) may be exempt from taking the Delgado English Language Proficiency Test.

All new and transferring non-native English speaking students must schedule the English Language Proficiency Test. Visit or call the Advising and Testing office at (504) 671-5080 or (504) 671-5637 for test appointments at City Park Campus. Test duration is approximately three hours. Bring your application fee receipt with you. You will be given an appointment to register for classes with an advisor after proficiency test results are available. Students who are proficient in English and are admitted to college level programs may register at the location they will attend. An additional international student fee will be assessed for all international students.

TEST OF ADULT BASIC EDUCATION (TABE)

Administered at City Park Campus only; appointments necessary. Call (504) 671-5080/5637.

WORKKEYS TEST

City Park Campus

Call (504) 671-5080/5637. WorkKeys test dates are only listed for the three “core” assessments: Reading for Information, Applied Mathematics, and locating Information. Appointments must be made for all other assessments. There is a testing fee for this exam.

Jefferson