TASC Testing in Indiana Frequently Asked Questions

Transcription

1 TASC Testing in Indiana Frequently Asked Questions Find out more about Indiana testing rules by using the links below. Click here to find additional answers to frequently asked questions. Still need help, contact us at State Testing Requirements Cost and Payment Options Finding a Test Center Registering and Scheduling Language Options Taking the TASC Test Initial Testing and Retest Rules Test Scores Transcripts and Diplomas Preparing for the TASC Test

2 State Testing Requirements What is required to be eligible to earn an Indiana High School Equivalency (HSE)? Test Takers who wish to take the TASC Test and obtain a HSE certificate in the State of Indiana must: Meet the age and residency requirements established by the State of Indiana; provide valid proof of identity, age, and residency; have not previously achieved a high school diploma or HSE; and, pass all 5 subtests of the TASC Test (also referred to as the battery). How old do I have to be to take the TASC Test? If you are 18 years old or older, you may sit for the TASC Test provided you: have been a resident of Indiana for at least 30 days and provide valid proof of residency; and, have not previously achieved a high school diploma or HSE If you are 16 or 17 years old, you may sit for the TASC Test provided you: have been a resident of Indiana for at least 30 days and provide valid proof of residency; have not previously achieved a high school diploma or HSE; and, have formally exited from any High School program and in possession of a letter of approval signed by any superintendent. (Note: this letter is sometimes called an exit letter. ) Do I need to be a resident of Indiana to take the TASC Test? Yes. You must be an Indiana resident (for at least 30 days) and provide valid proof of residency. Are there any time restrictions for taking the TASC Test in Indiana? Yes. Indiana examinees must take the entire group of subject area tests ( the battery ) within 60 days of taking the first test. Examinees who fail to meet this requirement will have to begin again and their earlier results will not be counted. What proofs of identity are required to take the TASC Test? You must provide current, government-issued, photo-bearing proof of identification which includes your name, date of birth, address, and signature when you report to the test center. If the proof of identification does NOT include proof of Indiana residency for at least 30 days, you must also provide proof of residency from the list below.

3 Acceptable photo-bearing identification includes: Valid state driver s license (can be from other states, but if it is, proof of residency must also be provided. Please see list of acceptable proof of residency below.) Valid State ID Valid passport Military ID Any other form of government-issued ID (national or foreign), including Matrícula Consular Acceptable proof of Indiana residency, which is required if the photo-bearing ID does NOT also provide proof of residency, includes any one of the following documents: Wage and tax statements (IRS Form W2) Indiana Auto Registration Card Bank Statement Cancelled Check Deed/Title, Mortgage, Rental/Lease Agreement Insurance Policy (homeowner s or renters) Official Mail received from a State, County, City or Federal Government agency such as: Homestead Exemption Receipt Jury Duty Notice Selective Service Card Social Security Annual Statement Social Security Disability Insurance Statement Voter Registration Card Pay Stub or Electronic Deposit Receipt Pension or Retirement Statement Utility Bill (electric, water, refuse, telephone land/cell, cable, or gas) Statement of Benefits from the Indiana Department of Employment Security or the Social Security Administration Indiana Property Tax Bill

4 Cost and Payment How much does it cost to take the TASC Test? DRC s fee for the TASC Test battery, which consists of 5 subtests (Reading, Writing, Math, Social Studies and Science), is $52 (or $10.40 per subtest). Additional Test Center costs of $38 (or $7.60 per subtest) also apply. You can buy the subject area exams one at a time for $18.00 each, or purchase all five subtests at once for $ As noted above, these amounts include the DRC TASC Test cost, as well as the test center fee. At the present time, payment for testing is collected by the test center. Additional information regarding fees for retaking tests: The $52 DRC battery fee (and the $10.40 single subject test fee) includes up to 2 retests per content area/subtest if a passing score has not been obtained. Please note that the $52 does NOT include any test center fees. Test center fees will be added to any retake; only the DRC cost is waived. Can I retake the test(s) to obtain a higher score? Yes. However, if you wish to retake the TASC Test for a higher score, you must pay the DRC subtest(s) cost, plus any test center fees. The retakes included in the DRC testing fee do NOT apply to the retake of tests already passed. Is the TASC Test available in any language other than English? Yes. The TASC Test is also offered in Spanish.

5 Finding a Testing Location How can I locate a testing center? Click here locate a test center near you. The TASC Test is available at test centers across the state.

6 Registering and Scheduling for the TASC Test How can I register and schedule to take the TASC Test? Registration and scheduling for the TASC Test in Indiana are done at the test center. If you don t know where you would like to take the TASC test, see Finding a Testing Location and select the test center most convenient for you in terms of hours of operation, location, and modes of testing offered. Once you have made your choice, contact the test center to find a mutually-agreeable time for you to come in to register and schedule.

7 Language Options for Testing Is the TASC Test available in any language other than English? Yes. The TASC Test is also offered in Spanish. Do I have to take all the subject specific tests in one language or can I take some subjects in one language and the others in another? Indiana examinees must take (and ultimately pass) all 5 subtests in the same language. Examinees who begin taking the subtests in one language and then decide they wish to take it in the other may do so. However, they will NOT receive credit for any subtest passed in the first language. As noted earlier, all 5 subtests must be taken (and ultimately passed) in the same language.

8 Taking the TASC Test Do I have to take the test on the computer? No. The TASC Test is available as a paper-and-pencil test as well as a computer-based test. You can select the format you prefer. Please note that not all test centers offer both options, so be sure to check what options are available when selecting a test center. Do I have to take the entire group of subject area tests (subtests), or can I take each one until I pass? Indiana examinees must take the entire group of subject area tests (also known as the battery ) before retaking any subtest missed. Is there a time limit for taking the battery? Yes. Indiana examinees must take the entire group of subject area tests ( the battery ) within 60 days of taking the first test. Examinees who fail to meet this requirement will have to begin again and their earlier results will not be counted. What do I need to bring with me on the day I am scheduled to test? When reporting to the test center for testing, you must bring valid, photo-bearing identification that confirms your age and proof of residency. In some cases, this will be more than one document, as described in the State Testing Requirements in this document. How do I request special testing accommodations? All the information you need to request accommodations is available here. Start by reading the Examinee Guidelines for Requesting Special testing accommodations. The TASC Test is offered in alternate formats, such as large print and Braille, and may be administered with additional resources and/or accommodations for examinees with the necessary documentation.

9 Initial Testing and Retest Rules Are there any time limits for taking the TASC Test? Indiana examinees must take the entire battery (i.e., all 5 subtests) within 60 days of the date the first subtest was taken. However, the battery does not need to be taken in one sitting, nor do all the subtests need to be passed within the 60 days. Examinees just need to complete each subtest within the 60-day period. Examinees who fail to take all 5 subtests within the 60-day-period must begin all over again. Scores from the incomplete battery will NOT be saved. How long must I wait before I can retake a subject area test I do not pass? Indiana examinees must take all 5 subtests (the battery ) before retaking a subject area not passed. Retests must be on a form not previously taken. Examinees who take all three (3) forms of the test must wait 6 months before retesting on a form previously taken. Can I retest for a higher score? You are welcome to retake a previously passed subtest for a higher score. When retaking the test for a higher score, you will be charged the usual DRC subtest fee of $10.40, plus the test center fee. Is there an expiration date on the retakes that are included on initial test purchases? The two retest attempts included in the DRC fee must be taken within one year of the initial test date. Click here to read more about the retake policy as it relates to initial test purchases.

10 Test Scores What is the passing score for the TASC Test? A minimum score of 500 must be achieved on each subject area of the TASC Test. The one exception is the Writing test. In addition to achieving a scale score of 500, you must also earn at least a 2 on the essay portion to pass the Writing test.

11 Ordering HSE Transcripts and Diplomas Diploma Sender can assist in obtaining copies of transcripts and/or diplomas. Examinees should visit:

12 Preparing for the TASC Test How should I prepare for the TASC Test? Indiana offers a wide variety of free options for residents who wish to prepare for the HSE exam. Examinees should visit to learn more. Is there a practice test I can take before sitting for the actual TASC Test? Yes. The TASC Test offers Readiness Assessments (also known as practice tests ) through many high school equivalency test preparation programs. If you are interested in taking a readiness test, ask your Program Coordinator or Instructor about the TASC Readiness Assessment.