Placement Testing Policies
Late Arrival or Absence or Wrong Form of Identification
Identification Policy
Testing Policies and Procedures
Sanctions
Online Testing Policy
Online Honor Code
Prohibited Items
Testing Dishonesty and Behavioral Guidelines
CLEP Policy
Credit Acceptance Policies
Late Arrival or Absence or Wrong Form of Identification
Candidates who arrive late or bring a wrong form of identification are not permitted to enter the test session. Absent candidates will have the test session automatically terminated, and associated test fees will be forfeited. The candidate must pay the test administration fee upon rescheduling the canceled test session.
Identification Policy
All examinees are required to show an appropriate photo ID. You will not be allowed to test if you cannot provide an acceptable ID and will be asked to reschedule to take your test. No Exceptions! The following are acceptable forms of ID:
- Pitt Community College ID
- Driver’s License
- Passport
- Other forms of government-issued ID
- Military ID
** Please review acceptable form of identification policies for your specific exam/test. All testing vendors do not allow the same forms of identification for documentation. In addition, when registering and paying for exams, be sure to register using the name as it appears exactly on your form of identification. If your middle name is spelled out on your ID, then it should be spelled out when you register and pay for your exam. Failure to do so could delay or postpone your exam/test.
Testing Policies and Procedures
- All testing services provided by PCC Placement Testing Center are administered by appointment only.
- Removal of large coats or jackets is required in our placement testing labs.
- Cell phones and other electronic devices, such as computers or tablets, are strictly prohibited inside the testing room. Any examinee found using electronic devices, including cell phones, may be dismissed from the testing center. It will be up to the Office of Student Conduct to determine if they will be allowed to retest.
- All scrap paper will be provided by the testing center and must be disposed of in the presence of placement testing staff before exiting our testing labs.
- Usage of approved software only. Test takers will not open external Web sites or other software programs unless given explicit permission to do so.
- No talking. Test-takers are reminded to be respectful of others and keep noise to a minimum.
- Unauthorized possession or reproduction of test content is in violation of PCC’s policy, specific testing policies, and federal copyright laws.
- While taking the placement test, examinees must understand and abide by PCC’s Honor Code. PCC’s Placement Testing Staff will report any testing irregularities, including academic dishonesty, to the appropriate authorities.
- All examinees must arrive at the Testing Services Center on time. Testing Services personnel have the discretion to deny access to latecomers.
- Friends and relatives, including children, will NOT be allowed to wait in the testing center.
- Please be advised that our testing center labs are monitored by security cameras for testing security purposes.
- Pitt Community College Placement Testing Center reserves the right to refuse to administer a test to an examinee that is deemed hostile, emotionally impaired, or under the influence.
- Disruptive behavior in any form will not be tolerated. The Placement Testing Coordinator has sole discretion in determining what constitutes disruptive behavior. The Placement Testing Coordinator is authorized to dismiss from the testing center any examinee who creates a disturbance.
- We ask that examinees use the restroom prior to starting their test administration.
Sanctions
- Any examinee found using a cell phone, including the phone ringing or vibrating, may be dismissed from the testing center. It will be up to the Office of Student Conduct to determine if they are allowed to retest.
- Examinees caught displaying disruptive behavior, which prevents others from testing, will be dismissed from the testing center and asked to retest on another date.
- Examinees caught cheating in any form will have their scores canceled, and it will be up to our Placement Testing Code of Conduct Office to determine if they will be allowed to retest.
- The Placement Testing Center reserves the right to set a date and time for students who miss or reschedule three or more testing appointments.
** Individuals who exhibit any of the above-mentioned behaviors will be subject to appropriate action as specified in our Placement Testing Code of Conduct. Please be advised computer screens in our testing labs, and testing sessions are video recorded via surveillance cameras. Other detection devices may also be used.
Online Testing Policy
- Online Testing- When taking online exams, students are upheld to the same policies and procedures listed in our Placement Testing Code of Conduct as if they were on campus. Students who are caught cheating or not adhering to the instructions provided by our PCC Testing Center or our third-party test vendors/partners will be investigated for testing misconduct, and pending investigations, we will move forward with the appropriate sanctions.
Online Honor Code
I understand the importance of personal honesty and integrity. I commit myself to uphold honor, truthfulness, and responsibility while taking my online exams/tests. I agree to the following guidelines regarding testing online.
- I alone am taking this exam.
- I will not take or receive assistance from anyone while I am taking my online exam.
- I will not have any other browsers open while taking my online exam.
- I will not take screenshots, photos, or otherwise make copies of the content of the exam.
- I will not refer to any books, notes, or online resources of information while taking the exam other than what the instructor or software vendor has allowed.
- I will not use assistive technology unless I have been authorized beforehand. I will not use any external devices, such as cell phones, landline phones, tablets, or additional computers, during the entire period for which this exam/test is available for students to take online.
- I understand that violating the “Online Honor Code” will result in my scores being invalidated upon pending investigation.
Prohibited Items
- Examinees are prohibited from bringing personal items and the following items to the testing lab. You will not be allowed to take anything into the testing lab with you. The Placement Testing Center will not be responsible for any personal items you bring and suggest that you leave them at home, stored in your vehicle, or another safe place of your choosing. If you need to bring these items, you will be asked to store your items in a locker in the testing center (if available due to limited quantity and are on a first-come-first-serve basis) and will not be allowed to retrieve them until you have completed the test. These items include by are limited to:
- Book bags, purses, or handbags.
- Food or drinks are prohibited in our testing labs.
- Large coats/jackets or scarves.
- Hats, hoods, or other headwear are not permitted in the testing lab unless for religious purposes.
- Weapons and firearms
- Cameras, cell phones, optical readers, or other electronic devices that include the ability to photocopy, photograph, or otherwise copy materials.
- Watches, Fitbit, Smartwatches, iPod, headphones, ear buds, etc.
- Notes, books, and dictionaries, unless designated and authorized by their instructors.
Testing Dishonesty and Behavioral Guidelines
The following guidelines must be adhered to before, during, or after taking an exam/test administered by PCC Placement Testing Center.
- Giving or receiving assistance from other examinees present during the test administration.
- Taking or attempting to take a test for another person.
- Failure to abide by or follow instructions given by the test center staff.
- Attempting to remove a test book, test questions, or any portion of a test in any format from our testing center labs.
- Improper disposal of scratch paper.
- Attempting to tamper or alert with a computer in our testing labs.
- Entering our testing labs with food/or drinks.
- Creating or exhibiting any disruptive behavior or creating a disturbance.
- Communicating with anyone other than testing center staff.
- Attempting to forge signatures, presenting false identification, or falsifying information being provided to the testing center.
Testing in an Online Environment 101
CLEP Policy
Pitt Community College (PCC) awards college credit for individuals who successfully complete approved College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests. CLEP exams demonstrate knowledge gained through non-traditional environments.
Procedures:
- Only credits from courses approved by PCC will be granted.
- Official CLEP score reports should be sent to Pitt Community College as part of the admissions application process. “Official” score reports (sent directly from The CollegeBoard to PCC) can be requested by visiting The College Board website at www.collegeboard.com.
- CLEP Credit may not be counted as part of the class load for financial aid purposes, athletic or extracurricular eligibility.
- While there is no limit to the number of credits that may be earned by passing CLEP exams, students must successfully complete a minimum of 25% of the credit hours required for the degree, diploma, or certificate through PCC (see graduation requirements in the PCC Catalog).
- Credits for CLEP exams are posted as transfer credits and will be treated as transfer credit in respect to eligibility to be awarded as credit.
- PCC has a list of CLEP exams that it accepts for credit and the score requirement for each exam. It is the student’s responsibility to verify that the exam they take will apply to their program.
- Students are encouraged to talk with their advisor before attempting a CLEP test.
- Students who are transferring to another institution should be familiar with that institution’s CLEP policy. Please note that each institution establishes its own requirements, minimum scores, and credit awarded.
- Credits initially earned by passing a CLEP exam will be deducted from cumulative credit earned if a student subsequently enrolls in and completes a college-level course that is similar in content to the subject matter covered by the CLEP exam.
- PCC officials reserve to right to revise this policy without notice. Credits awarded for CLEP exams are done so according to the policy in effect at the time of the CLEP transcript evaluation.
- As of October 17, 2014, the revised CLEP retesting policy will be in effect. Students who test on or after October 17, 2014 will be allowed to retest three months after the last exam administration. This policy is not retroactive.
- CLEP tests are administered on campus by appointment only. All appointments and other questions should be directed to Placement Testing (252) 493-7561.
Credit Acceptance Policies
PCC awards credits for students who achieve a minimum score on approved tests (AP, CLEP, DSST/DANTES). To see the minimum score and credit awarded, click on the appropriate test below.