TESTING

A variety of college entrance, vocational, guidance, state-mandated, and/or placement exams are available at Sam Houston State University. This section addresses some of the testing choices a student may utilize for counseling purposes, college entrance, and/or receiving college credit. Credit by exam policies and/or fees are subject to change at any time. Contact the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or visit the web site for current policy information.

Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. A student may receive credit at Sam Houston State University based on the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Advanced Placement Examinations. These examinations are taken prior to the student’s high school graduation at designated test centers. Information on the CEEB Advanced Placement Examinations may be obtained from high school counselors.

An official AP Score must be received before credit will be granted by this institution for all beginning freshmen or transfer students who have not received credit in the past from other colleges/universities. Credit may be awarded in transfer from another college or university as long as an official transcript from that institution indicates the credit awarded and the credit is for a course or courses that are normally transferable from that institution to SHSU.

Current policy and/or additional information may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or by visiting the AP web site.

ACT Exams. This test is one of the two college admissions exams accepted by Sam Houston State University. The test is given five (5) times each year on SHSU’s campus. A student may receive college credit for high scores received on the English section of the ACT exam. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or by visiting the ACT web site.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Sam Houston State University is an open national testing center for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Current policy and/or additional information may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or by visiting the CLEP web site.

The DANTES Program. The DANTES Program (Defense Activities for Non-Traditional Education Support) is a credit-by-examination testing service used by colleges and universities to enable students to earn college credit in subjects they have learned outside the traditional college classroom. Sam Houston State University is a testing site for DANTES exams. Current policy and/or additional information may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or by visiting the DANTES web site.

Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). This test is required for admission to graduate study in the College of Business Administration at Sam Houston State University. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or by visiting the Graduate Management Admissions Council web site.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE). This test is required as part of the admission process for most graduate programs at Sam Houston State University. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or by visiting the GRE web site.

Miller Analogies Test. The Miller Analogies Test is a test often required for graduate school admission and is administered in the Counseling Center. Individuals may call for an appointment, (936) 294-1721. There is a fee for administration and scoring services.

Residual ACT Test. The Residual ACT test is administered on campus to prospective students who have not made an acceptable score on a previous test or have not taken the ACT or SAT prior to the time of testing. The Residual ACT test taken at Sam Houston State University is only accepted at Sam Houston State University — it will not transfer to another college/university. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025.

Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT). The SAT I test is one of the two college admissions exams accepted by Sam Houston State University. This exam is given three (3) times each year on SHSU’s campus. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or by visiting the SAT web site.

TCLEOSE Tests. Prospective police officers may take tests which are required by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education for certification by the State of Texas. This test is administered by the Counseling Center and individuals may schedule an appointment by calling (936) 294-1721. An Endorsement of Eligibility form signed by the instructor of the course or academy must be provided by the student before the test may be administered. There is a fee for administration and scoring services.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEfl). The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEfl) is required of non-native speakers of English. The TOEFL is administered several times per year, and there is a fee for administration and scoring services. For information regarding paper-based or computer-based testing centers, refer to the appropriate edition of the TOEFL Information Bulletin or visit their web site. For further information, contact the English Language Institute (ELI) Office on campus by calling (936) 294-1028.

Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA). The Texas Legislature requires all colleges and universities to administer a test that evaluates a student’s abilities in reading, writing, and mathematics. Sam Houston State University uses the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) for this purpose. Students who do not pass one or more sections of the test are required to enroll in a developmental course. The state scheduled THEA is given six (6) times a year on SHSU’s campus. Additional information may be found under the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) section of this catalog, by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025, or by visiting the Testing Center web site.

THEA-QT. The THEA-QT, Texas Higher Education Assessment-Quick Test, is a THEA alternative test scheduled to be administered on campus each week. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM (AP) Sam Houston State University has a policy of accepting up to a maximum of thirty (30) semester hours of credit through a combination of national standardized examinations and/or locally designed and administered departmental tests. More than thirty (30) semester hours of credit by examination will be considered on an individual appeal basis. Sam Houston State University will award college credit for the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Advanced Placement Examinations based on the score(s) received. The AP exams listed below may be taken for credit at SHSU. Policies are subject to change at any time. Contact the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or visit the web site for current policy information.

The list above was revised August, 2003.

1. GENERAL INFORMATION. The Advanced Placement (AP) examinations are taken prior to the student’s high school graduation at designated test centers. Information on the CEEB Advanced Placement Examinations may be obtained from high school counselors or by visiting the Advanced Placement website.
2. LIMITATIONS. Specific course prefixes, numbers, and semester credit hours will be awarded for acceptable scores but no grades will be awarded (except in transfer from another college or university). Credit will not be awarded for an exam if the student is enrolled in the course or has already taken the course.
3. ACCEPTABLE SCORES AND CREDIT. An official Advanced Placement score report must be received from a beginning freshman (or any student who has not received college credit for these exams at another college or university) before credit will be awarded. A transfer student, who has received credit for one or more AP exams at another college or university, may have credit awarded at SHSU upon receipt of an official transcript from the other institution as long as the credit awarded at the other institution is transferable to SHSU.
   Currently, the following scores are required in order to receive credit for AP exams at SHSU: (These scores are subject to change.)

• A score of 4 or above is required for Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science A, Computer Science AB, Human Geography, Physics B, Physics C (Mechanics), and Physics C (Electricity and Magnetism);
• A score of 3 or above is required for French (Language), German (Language) and Spanish (Language) — specifically: a score of 3 = 141, 4 = 141 and 142, 5 = 141, 142, 263, and 264;
• A score of 3 or above is required for all other subjects accepted at SHSU.

Interpretive information about the score reports is enclosed with the initial grade report. To obtain additional copies or for more information:
WRITE: AP Services
P. O. Box 6671
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6671 or
E-MAIL: apexams@info.collegeboard.org or
CALL: toll free (888) 225-5427 or
(609) 771-7300 or
FAX: (609) 530-0482

4. QUESTIONS. Testing Center, Sam Houston State University, Box 2240, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2240; Academic Building IV, Room 102; telephone: (936) 294 - 1025; e-mail: test.ctr@shsu.edu.
5. AP WEB SITE.

COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP)

Sam Houston State University is an open national testing center for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). The University accepts the CLEP Subject Exams for credit, but the University does not accept the General Exams for credit (except in transfer from another college or university). All CLEP exams may be taken at SHSU, but only the CLEP Subject Exams listed below will be accepted for credit at SHSU if taken at SHSU.

Sam Houston State University has a policy of accepting up to a maximum of thirty (30) semester hours of credit through a combination of national standardized examinations and/or locally designed and administered departmental tests. More than thirty (30) semester hours of credit by examination will be considered on an individual appeal basis. Policies are subject to change at any time. Contact the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or visit the web site for current policy information.

The list above was revised December, 2003.

1. REGISTRATION. An individual appointment time for taking a test may be made by contacting the Testing Coordinator (see item 5 in this section). The registration form must be completed and returned with the administrative fee before an appointment for testing can be established. Examinees will receive written verification of their scheduled test appointment.
2. REGISTRATION/ADMINISTRATION FEE. A nontransferable, non refundable registration/administration fee is charged for each exam requested at the rate of $15.00 for currently attending SHSU students and $20.00 for non-attending students. This registration/administration fee is separate from the test fee, may be paid in cash, by check or money order made payable to SHSU, or by credit card (Visa or MasterCard only) and should accompany the request to schedule the test. Information to be included on the front of the check or money order include driver’s license number and social security number. If the individual wishes to change the testing date, payment of another registration/administration fee is required along with written information concerning the new testing date and time.
3. TEST FEE. The fee for taking a CLEP test is $50.00 per test. A student may pay by check or money order made payable to CLEP, or by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, or American Express). The test fee payment must accompany the registration from when registering for an exam.
4. ACCEPTABLE SCORES AND CREDIT. The minimum recommended score for awarding credit is determined by the American Council on Education and is currently a score of “50” on the exams. (Exceptions to the recommended scores affect the English exams and the Foreign Language exams taken for credit at SHSU.) The English exams require an essay that will be graded by university English faculty who will make a final decision based on a combination of the scores from the multiple choice portion of the test and from the essay portion of the test. The Foreign Languages faculty makes the final decision on awarding credit for the French and German exams based on the official exam scores. The Spanish exam requires an additional writing sample before credit will be awarded. Credit may be awarded in transfer from another college or university when the official transcript from that institution indicates the credit awarded and the credit is for a course or courses that are transferable from that institution to SHSU or by receiving an official CLEP score report. Credit will not be awarded for an exam if the student is enrolled in the course or has already taken the course. Specific course prefixes, numbers, and credit hours will be awarded for acceptable scores but no grades will be awarded (except in transfer from another college or university). Also, students must wait six months to repeat a test. There is a fee for each additional score report. To order an official score report or to get more information:

USE: The Transcript Request Form at the bottom of your original score report or
WRITE: CLEP Transcript Request Service
P. O. Box 6600
Princeton, NJ 08541-6600 or
CALL: (609) 771-7865
1-800-257-9558 (order transcript by phone–major credit cards accepted) or
E-MAIL: clep@info.collegeboard.org or
FAX: (609) 771-70898

5. QUESTIONS. Testing Center, Sam Houston State University, Box 2240, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2240; Academic Building IV, Room 102; telephone: (936) 294-1025; e-mail: test.ctr@shsu.edu.
6. CLEP WEB SITE.

DANTES SUBJECT STANDARDIZED TESTS (DSST)

Sam Houston State University is a testing center for the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) exams. All DSST exams may be taken at SHSU, but only the DSST exams listed below will be accepted for credit at Sam Houston State University (except in transfer from another college or university). Sam Houston State University has a policy of accepting up to a maximum of thirty (30) semester hours of credit through a combination of national standardized examinations and/or locally designed and administered departmental tests. More than thirty (30) semester hours of credit by examination will be considered on an individual appeal basis. Policies are subject to change at any time. Contact the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or visit the web site for current policy information.

The list above was revised December, 2003.

1. REGISTRATION. Registration materials must be completed and submitted to the Testing Center at least one month prior to a requested appointment time. The completed registration form and the required registration/administration fee must be received in order for an appointment time to be scheduled. Examinees will receive written verification of their scheduled test appointment.
2. REGISTRATION/ADMINISTRATION FEE. A nontransferable, non refundable registration / administration fee is charged at the rate of $25.00 for currently enrolled SHSU students and $30.00 for non-enrolled students for each exam requested. The registration/administration fee is separate from the test fee and may be paid in cash, by check or money order made payable to SHSU, or by credit card (Visa or MasterCard only). The examinee’s driver’s license number and social security number should to be written on the front of the check or money order. The registration/administration fee is paid when the examinee turns in their registration form and an appointment time is set for their exam. If the examinee wishes to change a scheduled exam date, another registration/administration fee is charged along with written information concerning the new appointment date and time.
3. TEST FEE. The cost for an exam is $45.00 per test. A student may pay by money order or certified check made payable to The DSST Program or by the following credit cards: VISA, MasterCard, or American Express. Personal checks are not an acceptable form of payment for the DSST test fee.
4. ACCEPTABLE SCORES AND CREDIT. Acceptable scores for DSST exams are determined by the American Council on Education’s “minimum score for awarding credit.” Credit will not be awarded for an exam if the student is enrolled in the course or has already taken the course. Credit for DSST exams may be accepted in transfer from another college or university once the University has received an official transcript indicating the credit awarded (but only if the credit awarded at the previous college or university is transferable to SHSU) or by receiving an official DSST Score Report. Specific course prefixes, numbers, and credit hours will be awarded for acceptable scores but no grades will be awarded (except in transfer from another college or university). There is a charge for additional score reports.
   
   To order a score report or receive additional information:
   USE: the transcript request form provided by ETS or DOWNLOAD: (a transcript request form from the internet) at the DSST website listed below or
   WRITE: The Chauncey Group International
   ATTN: DSST Program
   664 Rosedale Road MS-23P
   Princeton, NJ 08540 or
   CALL: (609) 720-6800 or (877) 471-9860
5. QUESTIONS. Testing Center, Sam Houston State University, Box 2240, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2240; Academic Building IV, Room 102; telephone: (936) 294- 1025; e-mail: test.ctr@shsu.edu.
6. DSST WEB SITE.
   

SAT II SUBJECT EXAMS

Sam Houston State University is an open national testing center for the SAT II subject examinations. All SAT II subject exams may be taken at SHSU. Only the SAT II subject exams listed below will be accepted for credit at SHSU, expect in transfer from another college or university.

Sam Houston State University has a policy of accepting up to a maximum of thirty (30) hours of credit through a combination of national standardized examinations and/or locally designed and administered departmental tests. More than thirty (30) hours of credit by examination will be considered on an individual appeal basis. Policies are subject to change at any time. Contact the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or visit the web site at for current policy information.