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Types of Tests

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Accommodations

If you need academic testing accommodations at NOVA, refer to Accommodations and Accessibility Services for instructions on requesting accommodations prior to any testing.

Students and Instructors should discuss testing accommodations approximately one week ahead of the test. Once the instructor contacts the Testing Center, the student will be contacted by the testing center staff via email to schedule an appointment. The student will be asked upload a copy of their MOA when they schedule this appointment.

Placement Tests

Most U.S. students will not need to take a placement test at NOVA. Students should visit the Direct Enrollment and Self Placement site to learn more about new placement measures and to fill out an Advising Survey to determine which college level Math and English courses to start with.

The ESL Placement Assessment in CANVAS is currently being given remotely. Students should reach out to NOVAtesting@nvcc.edu to request the English Placement for Multilingual Learners.

The Remote English Placement for Multilingual Learners in CANVAS has four steps:

  • Step 1: Answer some questions about yourself.
  • Step 2: Read 6 passages and answer multiple-choice questions. 60 minutes.
  • Step 3: Write a longer response on a choice of 2 topics. 60 minutes.
  • Step 4: Read a short paragraph and answer 2 writing questions. 30 minutes.

This remote assessment requires the use of a reliable internet connection as well as some piece of technology capable of connecting to the web, including but not limited to a PC, laptop, tablet, etc. You will also need to be able to log into your MyNOVA account.

The assessment can be taken one time and test scores are good for one year.

Who needs to take the English Placement for Multilingual Learners?

  1. Students who did not complete high school in the United States, whose primary language is not English, and who do not have the required TOEFL/IELTS/ACT/SAT test scores.
  2. Students who completed high school in the United States, for whom English is not a primary language, may take the assessment and should contact the ESL department (ESL@nvcc.edu) to speak with an ESL advisor about placement options.

Reviewing for the English Placement for Multilingual Learners

 

 

Being placed in the correct level of language learning at NOVA is important because reaching language proficiency starts with building a strong foundation from the beginning level on to the intermediate level and beyond.

Spanish, French, Russian German, Japanese, & Chinese

The Spanish, French, Russian German, Japanese, & Chinese Placement Tests are currently being given remotely. Students should reach out to NOVAtesting@nvcc.edu to request these Placement Tests.

Spanish, French, German, Japanese & Chinese Placement Tests are adaptive, timed tests in CANVAS that each consist of multiple sections. You must pass each section with an acceptable score to continue to the next.

The Russian Placement Test is a timed test in Canvas that has 4 language tasks and may take up to 2 hours to complete.

Arabic

The Arabic Placement Test is currently being given in-person only.

The paper-based Arabic Placement Test can take about an hour to two hours depending on the level of the student and it is offered at the Campus Testing Centers.

Language Waiver for Native Speakers

If you are a native speaker of a world language, meaning you grew up in a country whose language of instruction was something other than English, and have the equivalent of a high school diploma from that country, contact AsktheCRO@nvcc.edu to learn more about the language waiver.

VPT Tests

Students who have not completed high school or a GED must take the Virginia Placement Test (VPT) for Math. Students who have not completed high school or a GED must take either the VPT for English or the English Placement for Multilingual Learners, which is for students whose primary language is not English. Only select students in certain populations such as military students using VA or TA benefits or dual enrollment students without other placement measures are required to take the Virginia Placement Test (VPT). These students should first reach out to their respective advisors to determine if VPT Testing is needed before contacting NOVAtesting@nvcc.edu.

For Military Students Using VA or TA Benefits:

Terri Payne (A - F)

School Certifying Official

571.732.2030

tpayne@nvcc.edu

Pender 3

Daina Hannibal (G - L)

School Certifying Official

804.464.8157

dhhannibal@nvcc.edu

Pender 3

Angela Sawyer (M - R)

School Certifying Official

804.601.8258

asawyer@nvcc.edu

Pender 3

All SCOs (S - Z)

School Certifying Official

militaryservices@nvcc.edu

Note: The letter ranges next to the School Certifying Official (SCO) names indicate which students should reach out to said personnel. For example, students with last names beginning with A - F would reach out to Terri Payne. Students with last names beginning with S - Z may reach out to militaryservices@nvcc.edu.

For Dual Enrollment Students:

Dual Enrollment students who do not meet Dual Enrollment Admission & Placement Criteria, please contact dualenrollment@nvcc.edu.

VPT English is an adaptive, computerized, untimed test although this test may take up to three hours to complete. We recommend that students not take VPT English and VPT Math on the same day.

VPT English is comprised of two sections - a written essay and reading passages with 40 multiple-choice questions. The multiple-choice portion contains questions on a variety of topics including, but not limited to, reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary and research skills.

Who needs to take VPT English?

Students who have not completed high school or a GED must take either the VPT for English or the English Placement for Multilingual Learners, which is for students whose primary language is not English. Only some students in certain populations such as students using VA or TA benefits or dual enrollment students without other placement measures are required to take the VPT English. The VPT English Placement Test must be taken on campus at one of NOVA's Testing Centers.

Reviewing for VPT English

The practice test below is to help students prepare for taking the VPT English Placement Test.

VPT Math is an adaptive, computerized, untimed test although this test may take up to three hours to complete. We recommend that students not take VPT Math and VPT English on the same day.

  • The VPT Math contains a variety of questions types such as free response, matching, multiple choice, true/false, etc.
  • The only calculator you may use is the one within the test program. No personal calculators nor the Windows calculator are allowed. Scrap paper will be provided.

Who needs to take VPT Math?

Students who have not completed high school or a GED must take the VPT Math. Only some students in certain populations such as students using VA or TA benefits or dual enrollment students without other placement measures are required to take the VPT Math. The VPT Math Placement Test must be taken on campus at one of NOVA's Testing Centers.

Reviewing for VPT Math

The practice tests below are to help students prepare for taking the VPT Math Placement Test.

Other Tests

NOVA instructors may request in-person or remote Zoom proctoring of Faculty Referred Tests for those students who have missed an exam in class, students who have a NOVA Memorandum of Accommodations (MOA), or NOVA Online students (instructor permission required).

Faculty may submit a proctoring request using this online form (NVCC credentials required).

The SDV ABLE Exam is currently being given remotely to eligible NOVA students. Refer to NOVA's College Success Skills site for more information. Students should reach out to NOVAtesting@nvcc.edu to request the SDV ABLE Exam.

  • The SDV ABLE Exam is a 90-minute timed test in CANVAS and includes 50 questions.
  • The test requires Respondus Lockdown Browser.
  • The test can only be taken one time.

Note: The SDV ABLE exam is not compatible with Chromebooks.

Please Note

  • Students must have completed a NOVA college application for the credit program prior to taking placement tests.
  • You must bring a current Photo ID and know your NOVA Student ID number to take a placement test.
    • Examples: Driver’s license, military ID, passport, personal identification card from DMV, NOVACard Photo ID or Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).
    • Log in to the MyNOVA site to find your Student ID number (EmplID)

Requesting Placement Results

If you need a copy of your placement results, please contact NOVAtesting@nvcc.edu. 

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