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Testing Services

The Tutoring and Testing Center (TTC) at Nova Southeastern University offers a wide range of testing services, including challenge exams, faculty make-up exams, proctoring, and standardized test administration. We also serve as an information resource for various other exams. Please note that all exams are by appointment only, and all examinees are required to review the Student Testing Guidelines before their scheduled appointment.

View Student Testing Guidelines

Taking an NSU Exam in the Testing Center

To take an exam at the Testing Center, begin by communicating with your professor. If approved, your instructor will submit a Faculty Exam Form. You'll then receive an email from Testing Services with exam details (time allowed, permitted aids) and instructions to schedule an appointment.

  • Schedule Your Appointment: Call Testing Services at (954) 262-8374 or stop by the Center to book your exam time.
  • Confirmation Email: You'll receive a confirmation email with your appointment details and our Student Testing Guidelines. Please read these guidelines before your appointment.

On test day, please remember these essentials:

  • Bring a valid photo ID (NSU Student ID or government-issued ID).
  • Bring any approved aids for the exam.
  • Lockers are provided for securing personal belongings.
  • Each testing station is equipped with pencils, scrap paper, and earplugs.

Course Placement Challenge Exams

Testing Services offers challenge exams in Spanish, French, Composition, and Mathematics. These exams are designed for NSU students with prior language experience, those challenging their composition placement, or those needing to assess their mathematics readiness. To take any challenge exam, students must meet with their academic adviser for a referral. Course placement exams can be taken remotely and do not require an appointment with the Center.

There are three levels of undergraduate writing courses at NSU:

  • COMP 1000 - Basic Writing
  • COMP 1500 - College Writing
  • COMP 2000/2020 - Advanced College Writing/Writing about Literature

COMP 1000 prepares students for COMP 1500.

COMP 1500 and either COMP 2000/2020 are required for most NSU undergraduate students.

Composition Challenge Exam

Incoming students placed into COMP 1000 may request with their Academic Adviser to challenge their course placement in the composition course sequence. The Composition Challenge Exam is a 45-minute test that consists of writing a 500-word essay in response to a randomized prompt. Students may only attempt the exam one time, once it has opened/started students may not go back or return to the exam at any later time. The results of this essay will determine placement in either COMP 1000 or COMP 1500. Please note, no feedback will be provided and the score will be final. Once the score is posted, set up an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss your class schedule. 

Steps for the Exam:

  1. Meet with your Academic Adviser. Your adviser will send the TTC an approval form letting us know you are ready to complete the challenge essay
  2. Call to set up an appointment with Testing Services.
  3. At your appointment time, you will be enrolled in the Composition Challenge Exam within Canvas.
  4. Make sure you are in a quiet area to complete your timed essay and have your N Number ready for the start of the exam.
  5. Once your score is posted, meet with your academic adviser to discuss your class schedule (A score of 0 means you have placed into COMP 1000, a score of 1 means you have placed into COMP 1500).

The French placement exam is available for students who would like to be evaluated on their French language abilities and thereby be placed in the appropriate level French course. The exam is scheduled for 90 minutes. If you wish to take this exam to see what level you would place into, please do the following:

  1. Discuss it with your academic adviser. Your adviser will refer students, as appropriate, to Testing Services to enable them to complete the French Placement Exam. Arrange an appointment time to take your French placement exam by making an appointment with Testing Services in the Tutoring and Testing Center at (954) 262-8374.
  2. Students can take the French placement exam only once. This exam must be taken prior to enrolling in any French coursework at NSU.
  3. Be aware that if you attempt to make your appointment too late, you may be unable to secure an appointment in time to meet registration deadlines.

Your score will be given to you upon completion of the exam. Your adviser will also be able to view your score in your academic record and will assist you in course registration.   

Through the New Student Information Session on Canvas, incoming students receive an overview of the Mathematics Challenge  and information about whether to take this optional exam. If you are interested in completing this test, please complete the request through the Math/Comp Module in the New Student Information Session on Canvas. If you have any questions about math course placement, please reach out to your CAPS Advisor.

MyMathTest is an online tool, developed by Pearson, designed to assess students’ skills in mathematics and accurately determine appropriate course readiness. Students will complete between 1 to 5 levels of assessment (each level is timed at 30 minutes); therefore, the total exam time can vary. All questions will be multiple choice. While taking the placement exam, students are not allowed to receive assistance from others, visit other websites, or use any calculators.

Note: Students must complete the Mathematics Challenge Exam prior to their first semester at NSU, and will only be permitted one attempt at this exam.

Mathematics Course Sequence

MATH 1000 – Essential Math
MATH 1030 – Intermediate Algebra
MATH 1040 –Algebra for College Students
MATH 1200 – Precalculus Algebra
MATH 1250 – Trigonometry
MATH 2100 – Calculus I

*Meet with your Academic Adviser to see math courses you need to complete based on your major requirements

Resources

The Khan Academy is a free resource offering practice exercises and instructional videos. If you would like to review prior to your math placement exam, visit Khan Academy. 

 

The Spanish placement exam is available for students who would like to be evaluated on their Spanish language abilities and thereby be placed in the appropriate level Spanish course. The exam is scheduled for 90 minutes. If you wish to take this exam to see what level you would place into, please do the following:

  1. Discuss it with your academic adviser. Your adviser will refer students, as appropriate, to Testing Services to enable them to complete the Spanish Placement Exam. Arrange an appointment time to take your Spanish placement exam by making an appointment with Testing Services in the Tutoring and Testing Center at (954) 262-8374.

  2. Students can take the Spanish placement exam only once. This exam must be taken prior to enrollment in a SPAN course.

  3. Be aware that if you attempt to make your appointment too late, you may be unable to secure an appointment in time to meet the deadline.

Your score will be given to you upon completion of the exam. You should then share your results with your adviser.

Credit-By-Exam

Credit-by-exam allows students to accelerate their studies by earning college credit through examination. Testing Services offers three distinct credit-by-exam options:

Proctoring Fees should be paid for in advance through our U-PAY Fees Management site.

Contact the Office of Student Disability Services for more information on receiving individualized accommodations for students with documented disabilities.

External Exam Proctoring Services

Testing Services offers proctoring for external examinations to the community. To request proctoring services, 

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please review the criteria below and contact us at (954) 262-8374.

Proctoring Procedures:

  • Review Testing Guidelines: All examinees must review the Student Testing Guidelines prior to their appointment. Any deviations from these guidelines will be reported to the home institution or outside agency.
  • Institution Approval: All requests must be approved by the examinee's home institution before scheduling.
  • Scheduling: While we strive to accommodate all requests, scheduling is based on personnel availability and other factors.
  • Fee Payment: Once your appointment is scheduled, proctoring fees can be paid in advance through our U-PAY Fees Management site. Fees are:
    • Computerized exams: $35
    • Computerized exams (3+ hours): $45
    • Paper exams: $50
  • Directions: Find parking and building directions here: Directions to the Tutoring and Testing Center.

Faculty and Adviser Resources

Make an Appointment

Call to Schedule An Appointment:
(954) 262-8374
800-541-6682, ext. 28374

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Thursday | 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday | 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Proctoring hours vary, please call for an appointment.

Location:
Student Affairs Building, 2nd Floor
Ft. Lauderdale/Davie Campus

Testing Services at Nova Southeastern University is proud to be a nationally certified testing center through the National College Testing Association (NCTA). Our testing practices adhere to the NCTA Professional Standards and Guidelines.

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