Waukesha County Technical College

Testing Services

A Welcoming and Secure Testing Environment

The WCTC Testing Center is committed to providing accessible, comprehensive testing services in a welcoming and secure environment. We adhere to the National College Testing Center Association's (NCTA) Professional Standards and Guidelines. Learn more.

Our assessments can help you place into specific courses, earn credit for prior learning and more.

When using our testing services, you must abide by the WCTC Testing Center policies and any policies specific to your test sponsor.

Contact InformationOffice HoursSchool Codes
Contact Information

WCTC Testing Center

testingcenter@wctc.edu

262.695.6215

262.695.6218

College Center, Room C-020

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday

  • 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Friday

  • 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Evening appointments available

WCTC School Codes

  • ACT: 4671
  • CLEP: 4521
  • DSST: 8051
 

Placement and Entrance Testing

These exams measure your proficiency in specific areas like reading, writing, math or other skills related to your degree program. Your scores help determine which courses you can enroll in during your first semester or grant admission into a degree program. Select an exam below for more information:

Many WCTC courses have prerequisites related to reading, writing and math skills. A prerequisite is a requirement that a student must fulfill before registering for a course. You can demonstrate your reading, writing and/or math skills in one or more of the following ways:

  • High school GPA of 2.60 or above. Transcript must include completed coursework through the 11th grade.
  • ACT, ACCUPLACER©, Compass, Asset, GED - 2014 Series (165 or higher), or TABE Advanced test results.
  • Prior college coursework may meet this requirement in whole or in part. Courses must be in the specific area(s), and you must have earned a grade of C or better (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) in the courses.
  • If none of the above apply, sign up for the ACCUPLACER©.
  • These options do not apply to the ACCUPLACER for Apprenticeships.

The ACCUPLACER© college placement exams measure a student's proficiency in specific academic areas. Placement scores will determine what courses a student can enroll in for their first semester, which will affect how quickly a student can complete a degree at WCTC.

ACCUPLACER©, developed by The College Board, is administered on the computer and is untimed. The typical test-taker will need approximately 1.5-2 hours to complete the exam.

We strongly recommend doing some preparation before your testing date. Check out this free ACCUPLACER© Study App and math review. The Academic Support department at WCTC is available to help you prepare for the ACCUPLACER©. View their current hours.

If you are applying for a WCTC program or taking courses, there is no fee to take the ACCUPLACER© for the first time. You are allowed to retest one time; there is a $15 fee to retest.

Disability Accommodations

If you have a disability and need accommodations for the ACCUPLACER©, please contact the Student Accessibility Office at SAO@wctc.edu or 262.691.5318 for assistance with making your request and scheduling.

English Language Learners

If English is not your first language or you have not attended a U.S. school for 10 or more years, you can take the ACCUPLACER© ESL. You will be tested in Language Use, Sentence Meaning, Listening, and Reading Skills. When signing up for a session, you will be asked if English is your primary language. If you select “no,” you will be given the ACCUPLACER ESL. If you select “yes,” you will be given the traditional ACCUPLACER.

Schedule Your Exam

You have several options to take the ACCUPLACER©:

  • On campus in the Testing Center
  • Remotely at home using Zoom with a staff member. A computer with a camera, microphone and high-speed internet are required for this option.

It's best to schedule your ACCUPLACER exam in advance, but we understand that life can get in the way! Same-day appointments may be available.

Preparation is important. View our test prep resources above for more information.

Schedule Your Exam >

You can take your ACCUPLACER© placement test remotely using Zoom when dates are available. Choose "Remote Testing" when scheduling your exam. If no dates are listed, please choose "Take the ACCUPLACER© on Campus" above. 

Technology requirements:

  • Desktop or laptop computer (tablets and cell phones are not supported)
  • High-speed internet
  • Webcam
  • Microphone and speakers
  • 2GB or more of RAM
  • When taking your test remotely via Zoom, you will be asked to use the camera to do a security scan of the room and immediate area you are using to take your exam.

Please follow these steps before scheduling your testing appointment:

  1. Download and install Zoom Client for Meetings.
  2. Test that Zoom was set up correctly. Please use the option to join with video.
  3. Check that your computer can run ACCUPLACER©.

Schedule Your Exam >


Find My Placement Scores

Placement assessment results are available in a printed report format immediately upon test completion. Score reports include course placement recommendations. Review scores and placement information for course prerequisites. Scores may take up to 1 business day to link to your student account.

As a WCTC student, you can view your placement scores via myWCTC:

  • Log in to myWCTC: mywctc.wctc.edu
  • Select "myProfile"
  • Select "Prior Education and Testing"

For help interpreting your placement scores, connect with an Enrollment Counselor.

WCTC administers the ACCUPLACER for trade apprenticeships. There is a $30 fee. The ACCUPLACER© test is administered on the computer and is untimed. The typical test-taker will need approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to complete the exam.

Verify which test subjects you are required to take through your apprenticeship application information or your employer.

Please choose the ACCUPLACER© Placement Test above to schedule your test.

ALEKS PPL (Placement, Preparation and Learning) is a web-based assessment tool that will assess, prepare and place students into the math courses where they are most likely to succeed. The cost of ALEKS PPL is $35 ($25 for the exam and a $10 processing fee). If you are applying to an Engineering program, use the Calculus cohort.

ALEKS PPL has test prep built in and is customized for you. Learning and remediation is created for you in the Prep and Learning module. This gives you the opportunity to refresh forgotten math skills before taking the proctored assessments that are used to place you into math courses.

  • Only proctored assessments are used for official course placement.
  • Proctored assessments may either be taken at home or in the Testing Center.
  • No external calculators are allowed for the placement assessments. There is a built in calculator available for some questions.

Choose the appropriate ALEKS cohort:

How to Get Started

  1. Pay the ALEKS processing fee ($10).
  2. Purchase ALEKS PPL product at aleks.com ($25). Click “sign up” at the top of the page and use course code LQ43F-U9V6G. Aleks.com is not compatible with Internet Explorer.
  3. Take the first placement assessment on your own (not proctored) to set up your Prep and Learning module.
  4. Work in your Prep and Learning module for three or more hours to enable the proctored assessment.
  5. Take your proctored assessment. You will have the opportunity to take four proctored assessments by repeating steps 4 and 5. Proctored assessments may either taken at home or in the Testing Center. See information below.

After each proctored assessment:

  • If you place into your desired math course, GREAT! You have access to ALEKS PPL for 12 months.
  • If you do not place into your math course, you may choose to continue with additional preparation. Work in the Prep and Learning module for an additional three or more hours to enable your next placement assessment.
  • You are not required to take all placement assessments.

Proctored assessments taken at home require use of a computer, internet, webcam and microphone (Chromebooks CANNOT be used). 

  • You will be required to download LockDown Browser.
  • The password for proctored assessments at home is ALEKSCALC2.
  • After each proctored exam is complete, email testingcenter@wctc.edu, include your name and WCTC student ID number, with "ALEKS" in subject line.

Please note:

  • You are not allowed any assistance during the test. Make sure you are away from others. Take the test in a quiet room by yourself if possible.
  • You will be recorded during your exam. Please dress appropriately; this includes wearing a shirt at all times.
  • This recording is reviewed for any behavior not allowed during testing (getting help from others, using your cell phone, use of a calculator, etc.) If it is determined that cheating occurred during your session, exam scores will be canceled and removed from your myWCTC student account.

How to Get Started

  1. Pay the ALEKS processing fee ($10).
  2. Purchase ALEKS PPL product at aleks.com ($25) Click “sign up” at the top of the page and use course code Y3DPA-ULVQD. Aleks.com is not compatible with Internet Explorer.
  3. Take the first placement assessment on your own (not proctored) to set up your Prep and Learning module.
  4. Work in your Prep and Learning module for three or more hours to enable the proctored assessment.
  5. Take your proctored assessment. You will have the opportunity to take four proctored assessments by repeating steps 4 and 5. Proctored assessments may either taken at home or in the Testing Center. See information below.

After each proctored assessment:

  • If you place into your desired math course, GREAT! You have access to ALEKS PPL for 12 months.
  • If you do not place into your math course, you may choose to continue with additional preparation. Work in the Prep and Learning module for an additional three or more hours to enable your next placement assessment.
  • You are not required to take all placement assessments.

Proctored assessments taken at home require use of a computer, internet, webcam and microphone (Chromebooks CANNOT be used). 

  • You will be required to download LockDown Browser.
  • The password for proctored assessments at home is ALEKSMATH2.
  • After each proctored exam is complete, email testingcenter@wctc.edu, include your name and WCTC student ID number, with "ALEKS" in subject line.

Please note:

  • You are not allowed any assistance during the test. Make sure you are away from others. Take the test in a quiet room by yourself if possible.
  • You will be recorded during your exam. Please dress appropriately; this includes wearing a shirt at all times.
  • This recording is reviewed for any behavior not allowed during testing (getting help from others, using your cell phone, use of a calculator, etc.) If it is determined that cheating occurred during your session, exam scores will be canceled and removed from your myWCTC student account.

Disability Accommodations

If you have a disability and need accommodations for ALEKS PPL, please contact the Student Accessibility Office at SAO@wctc.edu or 262.691.5318 if you need assistance.

Students applying to WCTC's Nursing program are required to take the NLN PAX Exam.

The NLN PAX Exam is a standardized exam, designed by the National League for Nursing (NLN), to evaluate academic ability across three academic competencies: verbal ability, mathematical skills and knowledge of basic science.

The cost to take the PAX test is:

  • On Campus: $77.50
  • Remotely with Examity: $87.50

The exam consists of 160 questions total: 60 verbal, 40 math and 60 science, with 40 minutes allotted to each section for a total of two hours.

  • Verbal measures word knowledge and reading comprehension.
  • Mathematics measures basic mathematics including operations with integers, fractions, decimals, percentages, conversions, algebra, and geometry.
  • Science measures knowledge of general principles of high-school-level chemistry, physics, biology, health, human anatomy and physiology.

The WCTC Nursing program requires a NLN PAX RN Composite Score of 110 or higher, a Verbal RN Percentile Rank of 50 or higher and a Math RN Percentile Rank of 50 or higher. These scores must be met in the same exam session.

Prepare for the PAX

The WCTC Library and the Academic Support department have resources to help you prepare for the PAX exam. Take advantage of these helpful resources and set yourself up for success!

There is no limit to the number of times a student can take the PAX exam. The Nursing program strongly recommends waiting at least 30 days between retakes.

Disability Accommodations

If you are using disability accommodations, contact the Student Accessibility Office at 262.691.5318 to discuss the requested accommodations at least 3 weeks before purchasing and scheduling your exam. If approved, you will receive information about how to register for an accommodated PAX session.

English Language Learners

In keeping with the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) mission and core values to promote excellence in nursing education, NLN Testing Services is offering support to ensure English language learners applying to schools of nursing that utilize the NLN Pre-Admission Exam (PAX) receive the services they need to be college and career ready.

If your native language is other than English, you may apply for English Language Learner (ELL) Supports. ELL Supports are only available for PAX exams taken on campus.

How to Apply for ELL Supports:

  1. Schedule a meeting with College and Career Readiness at least two weeks before your test. Stop in Building K, call 262.695.6521 or email ccr@wctc.edu.
    • If approved, your ELL with Supports form will be submitted to the Testing Center.
  2. Follow the instructions below to register for PAX on campus. Choose PAX with ELL Supports.

Register for the PAX

The PAX test is offered every month on the second (10 a.m.) and fourth (1 p.m.) Tuesday.

The cost to take the PAX on campus is $77.50 ($25 seat assignment fee + $52.50 exam fee). The exam fee will be paid by credit/debit card on the day of the exam. You are not purchasing the exam in advance.

Follow these steps to schedule the PAX on campus:

Please read the Student Guide to Taking On-Site NLN Exams. This document includes important details about creating your account, the exam process, ID requirements and more.

  1. Create your WCTC NLN account and set your password.
    • Create your account online.
    • You must choose "391682-01 Waukesha County Tech College – Pewauk" as your school.
    • Password link to complete account setup will be emailed to you and is valid for 24 hours.
  2. Pay the PAX Seat Assignment Fee ($25).
  3. Reserve your seat online.
    • Choose Nursing Pre-Admission Exam (PAX) as type.
    • Choose PAX on campus.
    • Choose date/time and other required information to reserve your seat.
    • You will receive a confirmation email after scheduling.

Bring on test day:

  • NLN account username and password
  • Current government-issued photo ID with the name matching your NLN account
  • Valid credit or debit card that you will use to purchase the exam ($52.50)

The Testing Center will provide you with a whiteboard and a simple calculator. Results will be available through your NLN account four hours after your exam session is complete. Results will be linked to your WCTC student account within 24 hours.

Please read the NLN Student Guide to Testing with Examity. It contains important, detailed information needed for your remote PAX (E-PAX_1) exam.

  • Remote PAX uses Examity©, a third-party live proctor service using Zoom which requires a web cam, mic and high speed internet.
  • Check to verify system requirements before purchasing exam (information located in Student Guide).
  • Chromebooks, tablets and cell phones cannot be used for the Remote PAX.

Follow these steps to purchase and schedule the Remote PAX:

  1. Create your WCTC NLN account and set your password.
    • Create your account online.
    • You must choose "391682-01 Waukesha County Tech College – Pewauk" as your school.
    • Password link to complete account setup will be emailed to you and is valid for 24 hours.
  2. Buy exam.
    • Log into your NLN account.
    • Click the BUY EXAM tab.
    • Use the Search Catalog: Click SKU Contains, Enter E-PAX, Click Apply.
      • Purchase E-PAX_1 (Pre-Admission for Examity) $87.50.
      • Click Add to Cart, follow instructions to purchase.
    • Need test prep? 
      • Use the Search Catalog to select Student Products > Test Prep > School Products > PAX
      • View PAX prep products and follow instructions to purchase.

Once you have purchased the E-PAX_1, you must schedule a date and time with an online proctor who will monitor you during the exam (see Student Guide for directions).

Please note: You may use a basic calculator for the exam.

  • Exams should be scheduled in accordance with WCTC's application deadlines for the Nursing program. The exam must be received and processed before the deadline date.
  • Email testingcenter@wctc.edu with your name and student ID number after completing your exam. Failure to notify the Testing Center will delay your application.

You must be fluent in English and Spanish to enroll in the Medical Interpreter for Healthcare program. This includes speaking clearly and accurately, and writing using the correct grammar in both languages.

To demonstrate Spanish proficiency, you will take the Parrot Spanish Speaking test, a 30-minute test taken in the WCTC Testing Center. Your answers to audio and video prompts will be recorded, and your score will be emailed to you in 24 hours.

  • The total fee for this test is $42.
  • A score of 3 or higher is required to be admitted into the program.

Follow these steps to take the Spanish Language Assessment:

  1. Pay the $42 exam fee.
  2. Reserve your seat.
    • Choose "Spanish Language Assessment."
    • Choose "Parrot Spanish Speaking Test."
    • Choose date/time and other required information to reserve your seat.
    • You will receive a confirmation email after scheduling.
  3. On test day, please bring both:
    • A valid photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, etc.)
    • Exam fee payment receipt
  4. Within 24 hours after your test (during regular business hours), you will receive an email from the Testing Center with your results.

Explore helpful information about this exam.


National Exams

WCTC students can earn credit for what they already know with qualifying scores on exams including the CLEP and DSST. Learn more about earning credit for prior learning. Select an exam below for more information:

Earn college credit for what you already know with qualifying scores on one or more CLEP exams. These computerized exams test knowledge of introductory college-level subjects. Review WCTC's CLEP policy and approved course credit.

Please note, while most CLEP scores are provided immediately, scores for the College Composition exam are mailed two to three weeks after the test date. Learn more.

Active Military and Civil Servants

The WCTC Testing Center is an official DANTES-funded testing site for civil service personnel, qualified military personnel and their spouses. Those who are eligible are not charged the test or proctor fees. See the College Board eligibility guide to find out if you qualify. Qualified testers must present their military ID at the time of testing.

Test Preparation Resources

Disability Accommodations

If you are using accommodations, review the CLEP disability accommodations information. Contact the Student Accessibility Office at 262.691.5318 to discuss the requested accommodations at least two weeks before purchasing and scheduling your exam. If approved, select “CLEP with approved accommodations” when registering for your exam.

Register for the CLEP

  • CLEP test fees total $115. $90 is paid directly to CLEP; the remaining $25 is a WCTC proctoring fee. Beginning July 1, 2023, the cost of the CLEP test will be $93.
  • Visit the CLEP website and follow instructions to set up an account, purchase a test and submit the test fee.
  • Once registered, select a date below, sign up online and pay the $25 CLEP fee.

Schedule Your Exam >

The DSST Program is a nationally-recognized testing program that allows you to receive college credit for learning acquired outside the traditional college setting. Review WCTC's DSST Policy.

Disability Accommodations

If you are using accommodations, review the DSST disability accommodations information and documentation needed. Contact the Student Accessibility Office at 262.691.5318 to discuss the requested accommodations at least two weeks before purchasing and scheduling your exam. If approved, select “DSST with approved accommodations” when registering for your exam.

Register for the DSST

  • DSST test fees total $125.
  • Pay the $100 testing fee to DSST via credit card at the WCTC Testing Center. If this is your first time taking the DSST, you'll need your Social Security number when setting up an account.
  • Pay the $25 DSST fee, then sign up for a testing session below.

Schedule Your Exam >


Make-up and Accommodated Testing

The WCTC Testing Center offers make-up testing and testing accommodations for WCTC students. Select an exam below for more information:

Depending on individual instructor policy, an instructor may arrange for a student who missed an exam for a legitimate reason to take a make-up test in the Testing Center. Students are limited to two make-up exams per semester.

YOUR INSTRUCTOR WILL INITIATE THIS PROCESS BY FILLING OUT THE MAKE-UP TEST RESERVATION FORM.

After your instructor submits the request, you will receive an email from the Testing Center with a link and instructions to schedule your exam. If you do not receive an email contact your instructor.

Schedule the exam at least 24 hours (does not include weekends) in advance. You will need to know if the exam is given on paper or computer, time allowed for exam, and the deadline date indicated by your instructor. Exams cannot be scheduled until the form has been completed by your instructor.

Accommodated tests are available by appointment only; no drop-in services are available. You must have a current accommodation plan on file with the Student Accessibility Office in order to use accommodated testing.

It's important to plan ahead! We encourage students to share their approved accommodations with their instructors as soon as possible and discuss your accommodation needs for testing.

Check the current on-campus testing hours under “Contact Info” on this page. If your exam is scheduled outside of these hours and your instructor is unable to provide all of your required testing accommodations, please talk with your instructor about an alternative date or time.

Please review the WCTC Testing Center policies.

Schedule Your Exam >


Additional Testing Services

The WCTC Testing Center is an authorized testing site for Pearson VUE exams, Scantron exams, the ServSafe Food Protection Manager exam and more. Proctoring services are available for community members taking online courses at another college or institution. Select an exam below for more information:

Need to take the Foundations of Reading test, the Wisconsin Real Estate exam or GED exam? These among many others are offered through Pearson VUE.

The WCTC Testing Center is an authorized Pearson VUE testing site. Learn more and schedule an exam through Pearson VUE.

WCTC's Testing Center offers proctoring services for community members taking distance or online courses at another college or institution. The fee for this service is $30. The fee is waived for students taking exams for online courses at other Wisconsin Technical Colleges.

Schedule a Proctored Exam

  1. If required by your instructor, submit forms required for approved proctor arrangements to the Testing Center at testingcenter@wctc.edu.
  2. Once you have instructor approval to utilize our proctor services, schedule your exam at least two business days in advance.
    • Select "Non-WCTC Proctored Exam" as exam type.
    • Fill in the required information.
  3. The proctoring fee can be paid online or in person in the Enrollment Center (College Center, Room C-019).
    • Bring proof of payment with you to your testing session.
  4. Contact the Testing Center testingcenter@wctc.edu 24 hours before your testing session to verify that we have received the test items needed from your instructor/institution.

WCTC is an approved Meazure Learning testing site. Find candidate services for Meazure Learning online.

The WCTC Testing Center offers the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Exam.

To take the test:

  1. Purchase your exam code ($36).
    • Choose "Create Profile" if you are a new user
  2. Pay the WCTC exam fee ($25).
  3. Schedule your exam.

On exam day:

  • Arrive at the Testing Center 15 minutes before the testing time.
  • You must have a current government-issued photo ID (e.g. driver’s license, state ID, passport).
  • Know your ServSafe username and password.
  • Bring your exam code; it is the only way to access your exam!

More Testing Resources

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Placement Assessments for Course Prerequisites

Find out how you can meet a reading, writing or math prerequisite.

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Computer

Placement Scores Release

Grant authorization for WCTC to release your placement assessment forms to a specific school or business.

Submit Form
Money

Pay Test Fees Online

Need to pay a testing fee? Use our convenient online payment option.

Pay Fees
Clipboard

ACCUPLACER© Retest Fee Waiver Request

Submit this form to request a waiver for the $15 ACCUPLACER© retest fee.

Request Waiver