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 review your results and to create an individualized plan for your next steps.  At that meeting, you'll have a chance to look over your math and writing tests to see your strengths and weaknesses.

What will the tests be like?

Here's a short guide to the exit exams offered in the ACE Program:

READING EXIT EXAM (aka “The Nelson Denny”)

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 38 question multiple-choice test of reading comprehension, but since it’s also timed (32 minutes), it’s a test of reading speed as well. 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. To build speed, consider doing speed reading practice with websites like Breaking News English, Spreeder, or apps like Acceleread or Speed Read.

Any tips? Read pretty quickly -- you can always look back to the paragraph to check details. Some students choose to skip the longest passage and come back to it at the end, but that’s up to you.

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WRITING EXIT EXAM  

** Note: This test is currently being updated by the English Department.  We will not be able to offer this exit exam until November 2017.  Please ask your coach what you can do to check your readiness until 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? Level 3 Writing courses and instructor recommendation

How can I prepare? ** Unknown -- test currently being revised. **

Any tips? Follow the directions exactly, write neatly, and skip lines to make your writing easy to read. 

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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.  Click the "Study Math Now!" button below to for links to relevant lessons on Khan Academy. 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 the Math 092 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.