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Delgado Adult Education Student Support
Preparing for Exit Exams & College Placement Tests
What are developmental education classes?
Developmental education courses, often referred to as remedial courses, are classes at a college designed to catch students up to the college level in reading, math, or writing. Many students, including students who have successfully graduated high school or earned a high school equivalency (HiSET or GED) place into developmental education courses. These courses cost the same as the college classes that students want to take, but they don't provide college credit, and many students end up repeating the same developmental course multiple times.
How can I test out of developmental classes?
Exit exams provide the opportunity for qualified ACE students to show that they do not need to take developmental education courses because they are already on the college level with their skills. This allows students to...
...take the classes in their area of study sooner
...become eligible to apply to their program of study (eg. nursing, radiology) sooner
...avoid paying for (or using financial aid for) classes that don't earn college credit
Should I study for exit exams?
Absolutely! Very few ACE students pass these tests on the first try without doing significant preparation outside of class. Talk to your coach about creating an independent study plan to supplement your coursework so that you can begin boosting your skills!
Also, after every attempt, you'll have an appointment with Josh Nagel, our Lead Pathways Instructor, to go over your results and create an individualized plan for your next steps. At that meeting, you're welcome to look over your math and writing tests to see your mistakes.
What will the tests be like?
Here's a short guide to the exit exams offered in the ACE Program:
READING EXIT EXAM
What developmental course will it get me out of? Reading 072 (When you pass this test, you’re eligible for college level reading courses -- READ 101 -- and any courses that require you be at the college level in reading.)
What’s the test like? It’s a multiple-choice test of reading comprehension. It's timed but the time limit is so long that you probably won't have any trouble finishing in time. You’ll read passages and answer questions about the passages, much like you do on the HiSET or TABE test, but the passages will be college-level material.
Which adult ed classes would make me eligible to take a pre-test? Reading 3 or Evidence-Based Writing 3 (or the eLearn classes Analysis or Evaluating Evidence)
How can I prepare? Read challenging things as much as you can -- reading regularly is one of the best ways to build reading skill.
Any tips? Take your time!
WRITING EXIT EXAM
** Note: This exam is currently being updated by the English Department, so it won't be available again until November 2017. Speak with your coach about how you can check your readiness before the test is available.**
What developmental course will it get me out of? English 062 (When you pass this test, you’re eligible for college level writing courses -- ENG 101 -- and any course requiring you to be at the college level in writing.)
What’s the test like? **Unknown (currently being revised)**
Which adult ed classes would make me eligible to take a pre-test? Explanatory and Narrative 2 or Evidence-Based Writing 3 (or the eLearn classes
Explanatory Writing, Essay Writing 2, or Analysis)
How can I prepare? **Unknown (currently being revised)**
Any tips? Follow the directions exactly, write neatly, and skip lines to make your writing easy to read.
MATH 092 EXIT EXAM
What developmental course will it get me out of? Math 092
What’s the test like? It’s about thirty questions on which you fill in your answer -- it’s not multiple choice. You won't be allowed to us a calculator. The test covers algebra (solving algebraic equations, writing algebraic equations, evaluating expressions, etc.) and advanced work with negative numbers, fractions, percents, and ratios & proportions, including word problems. You can get partial credit for showing your work.
Which adult ed classes would make me eligible to take a pre-test? Integers 3 and Algebra 3 (or the eLearn classes Fractions & Ratios and Functions 1)
How can I prepare? Use the “Algebra Basics” section of Khan Academy as much as possible or click on the "Start Studying Math Now!" button below. Do lots of algebra & fractions problems that involve negative numbers.
Any tips? Prepare using Khan Academy. This test is untimed, so be sure to check your work and keep track of negative signs! Show all of your work on the test itself -- don’t use scratch paper.
MATH 098 EXIT EXAM
What developmental course will it get me out of? Math 098 (Unless you’re majoring in science or math, this is the last math developmental class you’d need to test out of.)
What’s the test like? It’s about thirty questions on which you fill in your answer -- it’s not multiple choice. You will be allowed to use a calculator. The test covers more advanced algebra than the Math 092 test, including solving equations, simplifying expressions, factoring polynomials, inequalities, rational expressions, evaluating expressions, proportions, multiplying & dividing binomials, etc.
Which adult ed classes would make me eligible to take it? Algebra 4 (after passing Math 092 exit exam).
How can I prepare? Use the “Algebra Basics” section of Khan Academy as much as possible. Become an expert on polynomials.
Any tips? Prepare using Khan Academy. This test is untimed, so be sure to check your work and keep track of negative signs! Show all of your work on the test itself -- don’t use scratch paper.