The State of Florida allows students to use several standardized test scores to demonstrate readiness for college-level communication and computation work, only if they are within two (2) years of enrollment.
For purposes of classification, the test scores are broken into three categories:
- Common placement test scores: These include Accuplacer Next-Generation, SAT, ACT, etc.
- Alternative Methods: These are PERT, PSAT, Pre-ACT, GED, etc.
- Credit by Examination: One exam accepted at FSW is the College-Level Examination Program or CLEP. For a complete list, please review the current college catalog.
Common & Alternate Placement Tests
FSW Students can provide us with reports that meet or exceed the standard scores on any of the tests that we take. This is in accordance with Florida Administrative Code 6A-10.0315. Please refer to our test score table.
The submission of a common or alternate placement test score report to us is sufficient to resolve the Assessment Hold (Ed Hold) regardless of the scores themselves, if within two (2) years of enrollment.
Example of a Standard Common Placement Test
You are trying to enroll in classes this semester. You took the Digital SAT a year ago. In the Reading and Writing Section, you achieved 475, and in the Math Section, you achieved 495.
According to our table, you achieved a college-level score for math (Computation), but not for reading and writing (Communication).
Three things happen:
1. The Assessment Hold (Ed Hold) is resolved. Congratulations! You are set to meet with an Academic Advisor.
2. Your Academic Advisor will recommend courses based on your test scores.
3. You have the option to take a placement test or submit a different score report in the areas of reading and writing to demonstrate college-level communication skills.
ACTION: Find out how to submit test scores to us here.
Credit-by-Examination Test Scores
This option works a little differently. Basically, you must take and pass one of the Credit-by-Examination tests referenced in our College Catalog.
Please bear in mind the following before taking the test:
1. FSW must give you credit-hours for the exam. For more information, consult our Credit by Examination information, under the Degree Acceleration section of our Academic Catalog.
2. You must send your transcripts to Florida SouthWestern State College.
3. The transcript takes between four to six weeks to process. Take the test in advance.
Example of taking a CLEP Test
You are trying to enroll for classes this semester. You took the College Composition CLEP exam about a month ago. You also reported the passing score of 65 to FSW.
According to the State of Florida’s Credit-by-Exam Equivalencies, these things happen:
1. Once the transcript is received from the College Board and processed, you will be given three credits for ENC 1101 and three credits for ENC 1102. The courses have grade as assigned because you succeeded with them. 2. By contacting Testing Services, you will get bypass equivalencies for reading and writing since passing the exam is equivalent to having taken those courses.
3. You have the option to take a placement test or submit a different score report for math to demonstrate college-level computation to resolve the Assessment Hold (Ed Hold) if it is needed.
ACTION: Contact us to alert us of your CLEP score.