Testing Center

An updated TSI exam, TSIA2 launched on January 11, 2021. The TSIA2 took place of the previous TSI exam. If you meet the college readiness benchmarks with the previous TSI exam, the scores will be valid for 5 years from the date that you took the exam. The same will be the case for the TSIA2 exam. The TSIA2 will differ from the TSI by having reading and writing combined into one section which is now called the English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) section. There is still a Mathematics section for the exam.

Students have the following testing options:

1. TSIA2: Both (ELAR + Essay and MATH)
2. TSIA2: English Language Arts and Reading + Essay (or ELAR)
3. TSIA2: ELAR (Multiple Choice Only)*
4. TSIA2: ELAR (Essay Only)*
5. TSIA2: Math Only

* Retesting only one section of the ELAR is strictly limited and subject to review.

If you do not plan to attend Southwest Texas College but require the TSIA2 exam for a different institution or college, contact us at (830) 591-7346 before scheduling. 

• All students must have completed an Application Form for SWTX.
• All students must have received an SWTX Student ID number from the Admissions Office.
• All students taking the TSIA2 Assessment must have completed the Pre-Assessment Activity that is required of all students by the State of Texas prior to TSIA2 testing. Students must email their completion certificate to testingcenter@swtjc.edu before arriving at an SWTX testing site.
  • A completed TSIA2 Pre-Assessment activity is required for all students by the State of Texas prior to any TSIA2 testing.
• All students must present a valid Photo ID: High School ID, Driver’s License, DPS ID, Passport, or Government Issued ID.
• Be prepared to spend 4 to 8 hours testing. Students are not allowed a lunch break. However, they are allowed a 15-minute break between sessions.
• All Students must arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled test.
• No personal belongings will be allowed in the testing area. All personal belongings must be left at home, such as cell phones, bags, purses, jackets, caps, watches, keys, sunglasses, etc. We are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items. 

TSIA2 Resources 

The College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) gives you the opportunity to receive college credit for what you already know by earning qualifying scores on any of 33 examinations. Each college sets its CLEP policy regarding how much credit will be granted and for what courses. Contact your college's admission office or a career academic adviser for more information.

How to register for a CLEP Exam 

1. Find Out Your College's CLEP Policy. Each college sets its own policy regarding which CLEP exams it will grant credit for and how many credits it will award. Contact your admission officer or academic adviser to learn more about the CLEP policy at your institution. If you are not yet enrolled in a college when you take your CLEP exam, you can send your scores to your college when you enroll. For a list of the colleges that grant credit for CLEP, visit the Institution Search.
2. Log In to the My Account Registration Portal. You can create and manage your personal account through the My Account registration portal. The registration platform will allow you to register for a CLEP exam 24/7, manage your personal information any time prior to taking the exam, search for test centers, select your score recipient institution, and purchase study materials. Be sure your account information matches the information on your photo I.D. EXACTLY as it appears.
3. Once you have purchased your CLEP exam ticket, schedule your testing date and time and pay the required testing fee.

A PHOTO ID is REQUIRED EVERY TIME a test is taken. Examinees without proper ID will NOT BE ALLOWED to test.

Examinees must arrive 15 minutes early on the day of the exam.

CLEP Exam Registration Tutorial

All CLEP exams may be taken at SWTJC, but only the CLEP subject exams listed below may be accepted for credit at SWTJC according to policy.

RETAKES: The College Board has a policy of having to wait three months from the date of the exam in order to retake a CLEP exam. SWTJC strictly adheres to this policy.

For additional information about other CLEP exams, visit the College Board.

Study Guides

SWTX Testing Center offers the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) Exam for current SWTJC Police Academy Cadets and qualifying Jailers programs.

Testing Accommodations

Examinees requiring testing accommodations must follow the Commission’s ADA policy to obtain special accommodations for testing. All special accommodation requests must be made to the Commission at least 90 days prior to your test date. Contact the Commission for additional information regarding accommodated testing:

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education
6330 E. Highway 290, Suite 200
Austin, Texas 78723-1035
Telephone: (512) 936-7700

Find more information about TCOLE at http://www.tcole.texas.gov/

What to bring on test day:

• Examinees must arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled test.
• Examinees must provide a Valid/Current Photo ID.
• Jailers must provide a PID Number
• No personal belongings will be allowed in the testing area.
• Payment must be made online during registration.

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) continues as a globally recognized, standards-based certification program—the premier credential chosen by individuals seeking to validate their knowledge, skills, and abilities relating to the Microsoft Office application suite. The credential enables individuals who attain it to tap the full features and functionality of the Microsoft Office system, resulting in heightened levels of individual performance, confidence, and differentiation.

The newest Microsoft Office Specialist credential validates skills in the Microsoft Office system, covering Microsoft® Office Word, Excel®, PowerPoint®, Access® and Outlook®.

All candidates that take any of the certifications need to have an account, to create one, register here.

For more information about the Microsoft® Office Specialists visit their official web page.

Fee to be contingent on if registering with a class or as a public announcement.

The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exam fee is $92.00

Southwest Texas College Testing Center is a Pearson VUE Authorized Center and proctors Pearson's computer-based version of the TXCHSE (formerly known as GED) exam that is approved by the State of Texas for individuals to receive their high school equivalency credentials.

For registration, you must create an account by visiting www.ged.com

Test Subjects Information

Certificate Request

What is the GED?

Testing Preparation Instructions (High School Counselors)

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to provide TSIA2 testing to your high school students! Please review the steps below to help minimize potential issues on your school's test date.

Before scheduling a TSIA2 test date, the following steps must be completed:

• All students must have completed an Application Form for SWTJC.
• Contact the Admissions Office at (830) 591-7255 or email dualcredit@swtjc.edu to obtain SWTX ID numbers.
• All students taking the TSIA2 Assessment must have completed the Pre-Assessment Activity that is required of all students by the State of Texas prior to TSIA2 testing. Students must email their completion certificate to testingcenter@swtjc.edu before arriving at an SWTX testing site.
• All students must have a Valid Photo ID for test day.
• Schedule a TSIA2 test date three (3) weeks in advance by calling the SWTX Testing Center and making payment arrangements if the high school is sponsoring the students.
• Provide the Testing Center a list of all students testing no later than five (5) business days before test day. Please contact the Testing Center for the form template.

If the above steps have not been completed five (5) business days before your TSIA2 test date, please call the Testing Center to cancel and reschedule.

Be prepared to spend 4 to 8 hours testing. Students are not allowed a lunch break. However, they are allowed a 10-15-minute break between sessions. High schools may provide some snacks or drinks, but they must be kept on the bus.

On TSIA2 Test Date, please make sure: 

• All Students must arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled test.
• No personal belongings will be allowed in the testing area. All personal belongings, such as cell phones, bags, purses, jackets, caps, watches, keys, sunglasses, etc. must be left at home, at school, or on the bus. We are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.
• All students must present their printed Pre-Assessment Certificate with their SWTX Student ID number on it. SWTX ID number is required for TSIA2 testing.
• All students must present a Valid Photo ID: High School ID, Driver’s License, DPS ID, Passport, Government Issued ID, or SWTX Student ID Letter.

If the requirements above are not provided on test day, students will not be allowed to test.

TSIA2 Web-Based Study App - Texas Version
Access hundreds of questions to familiarize yourself with the TSIA2 basic content and experience. Download App

Failure to register before the deadline will result in the student not being able to take their exam. Once the student receives a confirmation e-mail, the registration process is complete.

Acknowledgment

1. I understand I must arrive at my testing location 15 minutes before my scheduled appointment, and that if I am late I may or may not be accommodated, depending on seat availability and/or office hours.
2. I understand that I will need to bring a valid, unexpired form of photo ID with me on exam day.
3. I understand that my registration information MUST match exactly with that on my photo ID.
4. I acknowledge that if I do not present a valid and acceptable photo ID on exam day I will not be allowed to take the exam.

• Driver’s license
• State or Province ID card
• Passport
• Military ID
• Tribal ID
• Naturalization card or certificate of citizenship
• Permanent Resident
• SWTX ID

1. I understand that I cannot bring food, drink, electronic devices (including cell phones), smart watches, purses or backpacks into the testing room.
2. I understand that testing will not be permitted beyond the maximum time allowed by my instructor, or after the testing center hours of operation.
3. I acknowledge that testing candidates are the only ones allowed in the Testing Center; this includes children and guests of the testing candidate. Children are not allowed to be unattended outside of the Testing Center or any other area of the college during testing.

The Testing Center can proctor make-up exams on those occasions when students cannot attend their scheduled in-class test due to illness, an emergency, or some other unforeseen circumstance. Students CANNOT schedule or reschedule make-up exams. They will need to have their instructors call the Testing Center to make the appointments.

Students requiring make-up exams must make prior arrangements with their instructor before taking a make-up test in the Testing Center.

Instructors may offer the option of a make-up exam to SWTX students who have missed a classroom test. The Testing Center offers proctored make-up exams only when an instructor requests the service.

Arrangements MUST be made 2 weeks prior to the requested day!

We do not accept walk-ins. Make-up exams are proctored Monday through Thursday between 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Late Policy: Students who are late (i.e., 15 min after the appointment time) forfeit their appointment spots. Students will be sent back to their instructors to reschedule an appointment.

Cancellations and Rescheduling: Students can cancel a make-up exam by calling the Testing Center office but can NOT re-schedule one. If a student cancels the exam, they will need to coordinate with their instructor to schedule a new appointment.

The following items are required for taking a make-up exam:

• Photo ID
• Instructor’s Name
• Course Name

There is no proctoring fee charged to current SWTX students.

INSTRUCTORS

1. Email the following information:

• Instructor Name
• Instructor Email
• Instructor Phone Number
• Student's Full Name
• Student's SWTX ID Number
• Name of the exam
• Course name and number
• Specified test date and deadline
• Test time and time limit
• List of supplemental items allowed and special instructions for proctors

2. Submit the exam in one of the following ways:

• E-mail the exam as an attachment
• Send the exam via intercampus mail
• Deliver the exam in person to the testing center

3. Receive the completed exam(s)

• Pick up the exam in person
• Have the exam sent via intercampus mail

The Testing Center at Southwest Texas College can proctor non-SWTX exams for students who cannot attend their scheduled in-class test due to being off site. Students CANNOT schedule or reschedule exams without first contacting Testing Center Staff.

Students requiring exams for another institution to be proctored by SWTX must make prior arrangements with their instructor before taking their test with the Testing Center.

Arrangements MUST be made 2 weeks prior to the requested day!

We do not accept walk-ins. Make-up exams are proctored Monday through Thursday between 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Friday’s are given from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

Late Policy: Students who are late (i.e., 15 min after the appointment time) forfeit their appointment spots. Students will be sent back to their instructors to reschedule an appointment.

Cancellations and Rescheduling: Students can cancel a non-SWTX exam by calling the Testing Center office but cannot re-schedule one without contacting both the Testing Center AND their instructor. If a student cancels the exam, they will need to coordinate with their instructor to schedule a new appointment.

The following items are required for taking a non-SWTX exam:

• Photo ID
• Instructor’s Name
• Course Name

INSTRUCTORS
Email the following information:

• Instructor Name
• Instructor Email
• Instructor Phone Number
• Student's Full Name
• Name of the exam
• Course name and number
• Specified test date and deadline
• Test time and time limit
• Specify if the exam is a computer or paper/pencil exam.
• List of supplemental items allowed and special instructions for proctors
  (We will only allow what is listed. If something is not listed, like a bathroom break, we will not allow it)
• E-mail the exam as an attachment

SWTX requires verification of a disability in order to provide a nonstandard test administration. Candidates requesting testing accommodations are advised to contact Audrey Sturdevant to discuss their needs one month in advance of their proposed test date.

GED & CLEP requires additional acceptable documentation (signed statement from an appropriate professional - a person licensed or certified to diagnose the student’s disability) that describes the disability and verifies the need for testing accommodations). All documents must be current and must be presented on an official letterhead from a licensed or certified professional appropriate for evaluating the candidate’s disability. GED & CLEP reserves the right to request further verification of the professional’s credentials and expertise in relation to the recommendation and the right to retain an independent expert to evaluate the candidate’s documentation of disability.

Special Testing Accommodations require extra preparation time and require a delay in scheduling the actual test administration.

Medical documentation is required for the following accommodations and must be current:

• Learning Disability (less than 5 years old)
• ADHD (less than 3 years old)
• Psychiatric/Psychological (less than 1 year old)
• Physical/Chronic Health conditions (less than 1 year old)

Medical documentation is not required for the following accommodations:

• Wheelchair-accessible facilities
• Service Animals

Cheating Policy

All students, regardless of disability, are responsible for adhering to the Student Code of Conduct published in the Southwest Texas College Student Handbook. This includes cheating. Students who participated in special education programs while in elementary, middle, or high school were able to receive modifications in the school's behavior code.  This option is not available at the college level.  When registering for classes at SWTX, the student must consider whether he/she will be able to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not excuse or protect an individual from penalty for misconduct or behavior blamed on an impairment.  (Hamilton v. Southwestern Bell Telephone, 136 F.13d 1047, 1052 (5th Cir. 1998)).