The Testing Center administers various types of exams for NOVA students such as Extended Learning Institute (ELI) tests for students who study at home, instructor referred makeup exams, placement tests for courses in English, math, and English as a Second Language, SDV ABLE exams and various mandated competency exams for graduation. Most exams are computer-based. The Center has 27 networked PCs designated for testing.

All exams are administered on a walk-in basis; however, there are requirements on when the last test of the day must be started depending on what kind of exam is to be taken.

Please call 703.845.6035 before arriving for testing.

Proctored exams for other schools: Students requiring proctoring services from universities outside the VCCS should call the Alexandria Campus Continuing Education Department at 703.845.6280. If you are a current student, please check our guidelines for correspondence testing.

CLEP® Tests are administered by the Office of Continuing Education and Workforce Development on the Alexandria Campus. The following website has all CLEP information.
http://www.NOVA.edu/alexandria/continuing/clep.htm

Instructors may pick up a form at the testing desk that explains policies for leaving makeup exams for students. The Testing Center will accept five makeup exams per course section. All exams are closed book and no notes are allowed.

Sample Placement Tests

Sample questions and further information are available in the Testing Center, Counseling Department or online as Portable Document Format (PDF) files. Click below on the test you are interested in reviewing.

Note: If the computer you are using does not have Adobe Acrobat, you may download a free Acrobat Reader.

Native-Speaker English Placement Test

English as a Second Language (ESL) Placement Test

Math Test Sample Questions

Math Test Study Guide

While there is no one book to study for these exams, the Library does have materials available for you to review in preparation for your test. Also, the Library subscribes to an online database, Learning Express, which contains interactive guides and practice tests for math, reading, writing, grammar, spelling and vocabulary improvement.

For information on the math courses, click here: Course progression in math.