Camosun College

FAQs

Before the Test

During the Test

After the Test

Before the test

Q: I have always done poorly on tests. I can't concentrate and I have trouble being in a room with other people taking the test. What can I do?

We want to make your test experience as positive an experience for you as we can. Here are some of the things you can do:

Remember, an assessment test is not a final exam! Its purpose is to give you (and us) an indication of where your skills are at the moment of testing. The idea is that the results can either meet your current goal requirements or indicate a starting point for upgrading that will gain you the level you need to meet your program or course requirement(s).

Q: Can I just drop in when I want to take an assessment?

No, you need to book an assessment. Tests are given on a set schedule, and not all tests are given at the same time. Please see Book a Test.

Q: I have results from an assessment at another institution. May I use those at Camosun?

English:

Many institutions use standardized English tests, so you should bring your test results in to the Assessment Centre and have us check to see if the test you took can be used for a Camosun College placement. We don't want you to take a test if you don't have to! Be aware that many other institutions do not have you do a writing sample, and that is a major part of our English assessment. We may use your scores from the other test and ask you to just write a paragraph or essay for us. We will then put the two results together for a placement.

Mathematics:

North Island College, Malaspina University College, and Camosun College have an agreement to accept each other's placements into College Prep (Grades 11 and 12) mathematics courses. Camosun College's mathematics assessment was written by Camosun College math instructors and is aimed at placing students into our specific math courses, so you will be asked to write the mathematics assessment unless you already wrote it and placed at the 11/12 level at North Island College or Malaspina University College.

Q: I can't afford the $10 assessment fee. Does this mean I can't write it until I have the money?

You do not have to pay for your assessment until you pick up the results. If you have financial concerns, we suggest you speak to a First Nations Advisor, Financial Aid Advisor or the Coordinator of Assessment ($10 test fee only) before you begin steps to come to Camosun. There may be support available for you.

Q: I have completed Math 12 but have been told to write a math test. Why?

For some programs, assessment is mandatory for all, regardless of highschool grades .

Q: How should I prepare?

English:

If you have been away from school for a while and have not been reading, the first step is to begin reading! Read at least 20 minutes a day, and read a variety of materials—the newspaper, magazine articles, stories and books. Review what makes a good paragraph and, if you wrote essays in school, review essay structure such as the 3 point essay or 5 paragraph essay formats. Practice some writing: think of a general topic and write a paragraph on it. If you have written essays, think of a topic for discussion and write an essay on it. Time yourself. Give yourself 30 minutes to plan and write a paragraph or an hour to plan and write an essay. Look over an English textbook to refresh your memory about sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation. A good book to look through is the GED Preparation textbook; it is available at the public library. Check the sample English test on this website.

Mathematics:

If you have had mathematics courses and have been successful in them, it is okay to review the concepts you may have forgotten. Brush up on those skills you have not used in a while. If you had trouble with mathematic when you were in school, do not try to teach yourself that material now. It is far better to be placed into a mathematics class where you will be secure in the knowledge asked of you and ready to learn new skills. Check the sample mathematics test on this website.

Q: I am in English 12 (or Math 11 or Math 12) now; should I take the assessment right away so that I have a better chance of getting into my program, or should I wait until I finish my classes?

Taking an assessment is not recommended if you are in school and working to complete the pre-requisite courses you need for Camosun College. Your course grades from high school reflect the total work you do in each class; the assessment indicates your skills during a one-to-three hour testing period only. Very often, the test results will be lower than your course grades. For this reason, the college has the policy of always accepting course work grades over assessment results. If you are entering Camosun College directly from high school, you may apply to the college and, if you include your provincial exam number, your results will be sent directly to the college. You are on equal footing with other high school students applying to the college. If you are a bit weak in your subject areas in school, waiting until you have almost completed your courses before taking the assessment—if you have to take the assessment—gives you the best chance of doing well on the English and mathematics tests.

During the test:

Q: I am a slow reader. Will I be allowed to have more time?

You will be asked to work within the times given for each test section. The timed portions of the assessments are there because the tests are standardized. "Standardized" means that most of the students who take the test are able to finish it within the given time. In order to compare you with the general population of people at your grade level, we use the standardized test. Think of a Grade 12 student who earns a C+ grade; that student is not perfect. That student will not get every question correct on the assessment. You are not being asked to be perfect, either. You are being allowed the same number of errors as the Grade 12 student with a C+ is getting. You can earn a very high placement if you do not complete all the answers correctly. You can even get a very high placement if you do not finish all the items on the test.

Q: Why do I have only one hour to write an essay? Why can't I choose my own topic?

The writing portion of the English assessment is timed so that everyone is assessed equally. Having two hours to write an essay will ensure a better essay for many, but an English instructor can get the same information about someone's skills from a one-hour sample. The English instructor who reads the essays knows that the writers have just one hour and takes that into account.

If people could choose their own topics, some would prepare for hours at home before the assessment, and maybe have assistance from others. Other people would not know how to choose a topic and would come into the assessment feeling frustrated and unsure of themselves. Again, a list of general topics allows for fairness and for an accurate picture of someone's writing skills.

Q: Why can't I use a calculator in the mathematics test?

Many people are familiar with calculators and quite good at using them. Mathematics is not just about getting the right answers; more important is the understanding of the mathematics concepts so that more advanced math can be learned. The assessment will show your understanding of mathematical concepts.

Q: I have a learning disability. Will I be able to take the test the way I took tests in high school?

If you have a documented learning disability or other reason that requires you to test under specific conditions, you should first make an appointment with a staff person in Resource Centre. Students with a Disability. Testing accommodations and support will be arranged for you. Ph. 370 3311

After the test:

Q: Do the results of the test get sent directly to Admissions/Registration?

Although the assessment results are noted in the Assessment Centre's computerized records, it is your responsibility to make sure Admissions/Registration has a record of your assessment results. You may make a request at test time for your records to be forwarded directly to Admissions by following the directions of the test invigilator.

Q: What if I take an assessment for a Trades program and then change my mind and decide to go into Criminal Justice or another program?

If you change your college goal, you should check with the Assessment Centre before coming in and taking another assessment. Very often, we can use the scores you already have to make other placements, or we can use some of the scores and ask you to write only a portion of an assessment. When in doubt, ask!

Q: How many times can I take the assessment?

The assessment is designed to be taken only once. The assessment results are a placement at the level at which to begin your work. If the assessment staff have a question about the results, they may ask you to re-test a portion of the assessment.

Q: What if I fail the assessment? Can I take it again?

We don't use the word "fail" in the Assessment Centre. It is true that you may not gain entry into the program of your choice because of the assessment results, but we do not give you a failing grade; we make a placement at the level at which you may choose to upgrade your academic skills. In many cases, you will gain entry into your program by doing the academic upgrading. You do not re-take the assessment after upgrading unless the program you are entering requires it.

Q: How long is my assessment good for?

We do not have a policy on how long your assessment results are valid. If you took an assessment a few years ago and are now deciding to come to Camosun College, it is a good idea to come to the Assessment Centre and talk to a staff person about your previous assessment results.

Q: Will other colleges accept my results?

You will have to ask the other colleges or institutions if they will accept Camosun College's results. (You will need to provide the Assessment Centre with written permission to release your exact results to other institutions.) They may need to see your placement letter. The Assessment Centre can be contacted at 250 370 3597 or assessment@camosun.bc.ca.

Last updated: 26-Jan-2010 9:56 am