Testing Center

Placement Testing
Before students can enroll in a RTC Professional Technical Program they are required to take the COMPASS placement test. The test will assess the student's writing, reading and math skills. The COMPASS is offered on the computer with no time limit. After the test a counselor will review the scores with the tester to help develop an educational plan. This plan may include the suggestion of classes, programs, or services available to the student. There is a $20.00 fee to take the COMPASS placement test.

Please pay for the test in Registration Monday-Friday. The Registration office is not open on Saturday. If you want to test on a Saturday; you must come by the college Monday-Friday to pay for the test. All tests administered in the Testing Center require picture identification and a copy of the receipt showing payment for the test.

Testing Center Hours:
The hours the staff are available depend on the monthly testing calendar. During testing, staff is not available to take calls. Please feel free to leave a detailed message at the number below.

Contact Information:

Leslie Hand,
Testing Center Coordinator
Phone: 425-235-2352 Ext. 5704
Email: lhand@RTC.edu

Betsy Price,
Testing Center Assistant
Phone: 425-235-2352 Ext. 5704
Email: BPrice@RTC.edu

COMPASS Test, fee is $20.00
This is an untimed, computerized placement test. The test can take from 1-4 hours.
Sample questions are available on the Internet at: http://www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html

Using Assessment Scores from Other Schools
If you have taken the COMPASS placement test at another school, you have the option to transfer those scores to RTC. RTC does not accept ACCUPLACER scores. You may submit your COMPASS scores from other schools only if they are less than two years old.

GED® Test
A Pre-Registration is required before testing in the Testing Center , J219 . Please see the monthly calendar for dates and times. If under 19, a Request for Approval to Test Form is needed. Please bring payment to be paid at the end of orientation.

GED® testing:
The Tests of General Educational Development (GED Tests) are internationally recognized. They have been designed to measure major academic skills and knowledge in core content areas that are learned during four years of high school. When an adult passes the 5 tests in the GED Tests battery, the resulting GED credential certifies that he or she has attained subject matter knowledge and skills associated with high school completion.

What is acceptable Identification?
The GED Testing Service requires state-issued driver's license or a state-issued identification card with a photograph.
United States passport.
Certificate of United States citizenship.
Certification of naturalization.
Unexpired foreign passport.
Alien registration card with photograph.

Proof of Washington residency is required with any of the above documents. This can be a rental agreement, a utility bill with your name and address, unemployment papers or something of this nature.

What does it cost?
To take all five of the GED tests the fee is $75.00.
To retest in all areas except writing, the fee is $15.00. To retest in writing the fee is $25.00. If a tester is completing testing started elsewhere, the fee is $15 per test.

• Pre-Registration takes about 20 minutes.
• Complete paperwork.
• Passing and failing scores will be discussed.
• How and when you will get your scores will be covered.
• GED test rules and regulations will be covered.
• Pay your testing fee.

What forms are available?
We have English and Spanish versions of the test. We also have a large print edition.

If you need special accommodations these must be requested and approved in advance. This process takes time, so plan accordingly. Contact the testing center for further information.

How can I prepare for GED® tests?
GED books can be purchased at your local bookstore or checked out through community libraries. There are also a variety of websites with practice questions. Some require a fee, some do not.
http://www.gedpractice.com
http://www.testpreview.com
http://www.gedonline.org
http://www.purplemath.com

RTC also offers GED® preparation classes in English and Spanish through the Basic Studies department for a minimal fee.

GED® Retest Policy
It is recommended that applicants take the entire battery of GED test before retesting begins.

If a student fails a GED test, the student must wait 3 months before testing again in that subject.

To schedule a retest within the 3 month period, the student must present a signed waiver from an RTC Instructor stating that remediation has occured since the failed test.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

CLEP is a computer based test that allows a student to demonstrate their performance on a particular subject and receive college credit by obtaining a certain score on specific subjects.

RTC is an open testing site and CLEP testing is given by appointment through the Testing Center . The cost for each CLEP test is $65.00 and an additional proctor fee of $25.00 to be paid in Registration .

• Composition & Literature
• Science and Mathematics
• Foreign Languages
• History & Social Sciences
• Business

For more information, please visit the CLEP website at: www.collegeboard.com/clep

Proctored tests
If you are taking a distance-ed or online course through another college and need a site to proctor your exam, we will do this for you. The fee is $25.00, payable in Registration, Building I. You may give our name and address to your instructor and/college and have them send the exam to us.

Special Accommodations
The RTC Testing Center works closely with the college's special population's counselor. On the counselor's recommendation, reasonable accommodations can be provided to students with documented disabilities. Arrangements must be made by contacting Karma Forbes, the special population's counselor

Please arrange for child care; children are not permitted in the Testing Center.