Pierce College Testing

Compass Assessment

The COMPASS assessment is designed to help determine current skill levels to ensure appropriate placement and your success in college courses. An assessment is required for all students who are taking English or math classes, or any course with a math or English pre-requisite.

A $10.50 non-refundable fee must be paid to the Cashier's Office located on the 4th floor of the Cascade building before taking the COMPASS assessment. Picture identification is required; there are no exceptions.

New students who have not been issued a Pierce College student identification number must use their Social Security number when taking the COMPASS or they must go to the Admissions Office and be issued a Pierce College student identification number prior to taking the COMPASS assessment.

The COMPASS assessment is not timed. The complete assessment can take approximately 2 hours and includes reading, writing, and math sections. Pierce College Fort Steilacoom accepts students on a walk-in basis. The assessment may be taken twice in a 12-month period. You must wait at least 5 days after the first assessment to retake it. Should you choose to re-take the assessment, the second scores will override the first scores even if they are lower. Scores are only good for one year from the assessment date.

For more information contact Shirley Bishop, Assessment Testing Program Assistant, at 964-6521 or by e-mail at sabishop@pierce.ctc.edu.

Specialized Testing

Faculty Make-up Exam

Students may take faculty make-up exams provided by their instructors. The exams may be taken during our walk-in testing hours. Picture identification is required.

Credit by Examination

Students can challenge selected Pierce College courses by submitting a Credit by Examination application. The informational sheet and the application are available in the Testing Center. There is a $20.00/per credit non-refundable fee for this exam. Picture identification is required.

Distance Learning Exams

Distance learning students may take distance-learning exams during our walk-in testing hours. Picture identification is required.

HOBET (Health Occupations Basic Evaluation Test)

The HOBET test is offered in both computerized and pencil/paper formats. The HOBET is open to the public and is a requirement for the admissions application process for the Pierce College Dental Hygiene Program and the Veterinary Technology Program. Please call to schedule an appointment. There is a $30.00 non-refundable fee for this exam. Picture identification is required.

Proctor Exams

Students may take non-Pierce College exams from other academic institutions or businesses. Proctor exams can be online or paper/pencil based. Please call to schedule an appointment. There is a $25.00 non-refundable fee for this exam. Picture identification is required.

TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

The TOEFL is offered to Pierce College students and the general public. To register and pay for the TOEFL go to http://www.ets.org/toefl/. There is a $150.00 registration fee through TOEFL for this exam.

WEST (Washington Education Skills Test)

The WEST encompasses the WEST-B and the WEST-E exams. The WEST-B is designed for students pursuing a teaching career in Washington State. The WEST-E is designed for teachers who are interested in receiving a P-12 educational endorsement. To register and pay for the WEST go to http://www.west.nesinc.com/.

For more information regarding specialized testing, please call Antonio Brito, Specialized Testing Program Assistant, at 964-7332 or e-mail at abrito@pierce.ctc.edu.

GED (General Education Development) TESTING

Visit the GED webpage, see a GED handout or Contact Lawrence Coleman for more information at 964-6439 or e-mail at lcoleman@pierce.ctc.edu.