Welcome!
The Virginia Union University Testing & Tutoring Center is committed to setting forth a positive foundation, on which all students can develop academically, grow socially, and matriculate successfully. Our center is comprised of an array of educational resources that are beneficial to all students. We are conveniently located in 311 Ellison Hall and students are welcome to walk-in, call or email, to schedule appointments for both testing and tutoring.
VUU General Studies Testing
Testing at Virginia Union University helps the institution to evaluate how proficient its students are. The Undergraduate Studies program, then utilizes the testing results to evaluate, enhance, and assess its program. It is our goal that the services delivered by the program, will provide students with the necessary tools and support to ensure their academic success. General Studies Testing at Virginia Union University is essential, beneficial, and necessary. Testing is a tool to enhance and improve our general education courses, educational programs, and the institution overall.
COMPASS
http://www.act.org/compass/
The COMPASS is a computer-adaptive college placement test that helps Virginia Union University to evaluate incoming students’ skill levels in: Writing Skills & Mathematics. The COMPASS also helps us to place students in the appropriate courses and connect them to resources they need to achieve academic success. Below is a testing chart which Virginia Union University uses to place students in the appropriate undergraduate course. The COMPASS Test is free to all admitted VUU students during the summer (Panther Preview, Athletic Camps, Summer Bridge, etc), or Freshmen Orientation (Fall Check-In). Students can view sample questions by going to the ACT website.
Content Area
|
Placement |
| |
|
Writing (E-Write Essay)
|
|
| 2-6 |
English 100
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| 7-12 |
English 101
|
| |
|
| Algebra |
|
| 0-30 |
Math 100
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| 31-100 |
Math 115
|
VUU is also a remote testing site for the COMPASS. Any person wishing to take the COMPASS Test at VUU must pay a $5 testing administration fee. Scores will be automatically sent to the institution of your chose. Anyone who chooses this option will need to bring a picture ID and their own calculator. Pencils and scrap paper will be provided.
Summer 2012 COMPASS Testing Dates
Students participating in summer programs will be taking the COMPASS Test on the specific dates below. Students will
not need to take the test again during fall check-in. Program coordinators will provide the testing location when students arrive to VUU for the program.
Panther Preview-Saturday, June 16, 2012; 9am
Panther Preview-Monday, June 18, 2012; 9am
Panther Preview-Friday, June 22, 2012
Summer Bridge-Monday, June 25, 2012; 9am
Math & Science Summer Institute program-Monday, June 25, 2012; 9am
Fall 2012 COMPASS Testing Dates
Upon check-in for the fall semester in the Henderson Student Center, students should visit the Center for Undergraduate Studies table to receive their testing ticket. The ticket will provide the student’s testing date, time, and location. Students will not be admitted to the testing site, without their testing ticket.
Testing Date-Wednesday, August 15, 2012: Last name begins with A-K
Testing Date-Thursday, August 16, 2012: Last name begins with L-Z
Students will receive their scores immediately following the completion of the test. Students should then meet with their academic advisor to register for fall 2012 courses.
COMPASS Study Guides
Mathematics Study Guide
Writing Essay Study Guide
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CRITERION
http://www.ets.org/criterion/
Criterion is a web-based instructional tool that evaluates students’ essay-writing skills. Virginia Union University’s faculty utilizes this tool to assess students’ writing proficiency as part of the English 102 curriculum. Criterion offers students an opportunity to develop better writing skills; by being able to revise their own essays and receive constructive feedback. Throughout their English 102 course, students will be required to go to the computer lab to submit essays through the Criterion system.
At the end of the course, students will take the Criterion Test. A holistic score of 1-6 is given to students when their essays are submitted. A student has successfully passed when they have received a 4 or higher. In the event that a student receives anything lower than a 4, the student will be required to go to the VUU Writing Center (102 Ellison Hall) to receive assistance on their essay. Also, if a student receives a score of 4-6 with an advisory present, their score is treated as a failing score, and they too, will be required to go to the Writing Center prior to retaking their examination.
If students fail to take the Criterion Test at the end of their English 102 course, they will receive an Incomplete for the course, until they have taken and successfully passed it.
Criterion is a graduation requirement.
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CAAP
http://www.act.org/caap/
At the end of their sophomore year (completion of 42-59 semester hours), students will take the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) test; which is designed to assess and evaluate the general education competencies. Students will be tested in Mathematics, Writing Essay, and Critical Thinking. Each semester, the VUU Testing Center will provide prep sessions in an effort to prepare its students for the test. Sample test booklets are available to the students when they attend the prep sessions.
CAAP is a graduation requirement.
OTHER TESTS:
VUU is an official testing site for the examinations listed below. Register for the examination you would like to take, by clicking on the test name below. Anyone who would like to take the CLEP exam must register by contacting the VUU Testing & Tutoring Center Monitor.
CLEP for VUU Student
Clep for Non-VUU Students
LSAT
SAT
MAT
VUU Tutoring
By providing tutoring at Virginia Union University, we are assisting our students in their endeavors to strive for academic success. Peer tutors are available to provide one-on-one assistance in many undergraduate courses. We strive daily to transform VUU by promoting academic success across the undergraduate curriculum.
The VUU tutors help students identify error/weaknesses in their courses by going over pertinent course information, reviewing an Academic Success Plan with the tutee, and making follow-up appointments if necessary. In addition, we offer monthly tutoring programs to provide additional support to all students.
Drop-In Tutoring:
• Students are seen on a first come, first served basis
• Students can utilize this service as many times throughout the year as they would like
• Students will have a personal tutor throughout the semester
Residence Hall Tutoring:
• Students can come to a designated residence hall. Please check the Residence Hall Tutorial Schedule.
• Students are seen on a first come, first served basis
Students must sign-in and sign-out when utilizing the services offered by the VUU Tutoring Center. By tracking the services used, we can better assist our students in achieving academic success.
About the VUU Tutors
Tutors are upper-class students at Virginia Union University who have earned an “A” or “B” average in the course(s) they tutor, and have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. All tutors are members of the National Tutoring Association.
Testing and Tutoring Programs
Spring 2012 Programs
Tutoring Hours
Spring 2012 Tutoring Schedule
Tutoring Forms
Tutoring Request Form
Tutorial Survey
Tutorial Session Record Form
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
The VUU Testing & Tutoring Center
311 Ellison Hall
(804) 257-5817