Registration Requirements
If you have completed 15 semester credit hours at NOVA, you are required to register for a Student Development (SDV) course; otherwise, you will be blocked from registering for any other courses.
Benefits of taking a SDV course during your first semester include learning:
- How to make responsible choices regarding your academic, personal, career and financial goals
- How to choose a major based on your interests, values, skills and abilities
- How to choose appropriate courses for your chosen major
- About transfer planning
- About NOVA’s policies, procedures and resources to effectively navigate through the educational system
Course Options to Satisfy the SDV Requirements
You may waive the SDV requirement by demonstrating proficiency in the fulfillment of the SDV 100 course objectives by obtaining a score of 38 or above on the SDV ABLE Test. The SDV 100 ABLE test consists of 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions. NOTE: The SDV ABLE Test can only be taken once.
Test Preparation
You should review important topics provided in the NOVA Catalog, NOVA website, and the first pages of the NOVA Schedule of Classes. Allow at least 90 minutes to complete this test.
SDV ABLE Test topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Academic Degrees
- Academic Honors
- Academic Integrity
- Academic Policies and Procedures
- Career Planning and Self-Assessments
- College Credit through Advanced Standing
- College Services and Resources
- College Transfer Planning
- Course Registration
- Decision Making Skills
- Essay Writing Tips
- Financial Aid
- GPA Calculations
- Learning Styles
- Listening Skills
- NOVA Catalog Topics
- NOVA Student Handbook Topics
- Relationships
- Study Skills
- Stress Management
- Substance Abuse
Where to Take the SDV ABLE Test
This test is administered through your campus Testing Center. You must arrive 90 minutes prior to closing in order to take the test. A Permission Slip may be required by some of the NOVA Campus Testing Centers to take the test. You should verify this with their campus Counseling Center.
If You Pass the Test
If you pass the SDV ABLE Test (score of 38 or higher) you should take your test results to Counseling to receive credit for SDV 100. The SDV ABLE Test Form will be retained in your records.
Types of SDV Courses:
Independent Study
- One-Day SDV Courses
- Extended Learning Institute SDV Courses
- Independent/Self-Directed SDV Courses
- Semi-Independent Study SDV Courses
- Web-Based SDV Courses
Traditional
- Eight-Week SDV Classes
- Sixteen-Week SDV Classes
Specialized
- Adult Learner
- Career
- Diversity
- Disability
- Employment
- ESL-Focused
- Financial Aid
- Leadership
- Retention/Academic Success
- Service Learning
