Proficiency Testing (CAAP)
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The proficiency exam is designed to measure students’ knowledge of material covered in general education courses. All students seeking an associate or baccalaureate degree from one of South Dakota’s regental institutions must satisfactorily complete the proficiency tests. Produced by ACT, the proficiency exam consists of four multiple-choice exams in science reasoning, math, reading and writing skills.
Spring 2016 Exam Schedule
| Test Group | Day | Date | Time | Location* |
| Retesters | Tuesday | 3/15/16 | 5p-9p | FADM 145 |
| Retesters | Wednesday | 3/16/16 | 9a-1p | FADM 165 |
| English as Second Language (ESL) | Thursday | 3/17/16 | 9a-1p | FADM 165 |
| First-Time Testers | Friday | 3/18/16 | 1p-5p | FADM 250/253 |
| First-Time Testers | Saturday | 3/19/16 | 9a-1p | FADM 245/250 |
*All testing takes place in the UC Main Building (FADM) or in the Science and Technology Building (FSC1). The UC Main Building (FADM) – this is the building in the center of our 3 buildings. In addition to classrooms, UC Main houses administration offices, advising, the business office and Center Shop. The Science & Technology Building (FSC1) – this is the southern building; It has classrooms, science labs and most faculty offices.
Your room location will be determined via signage and staff will direct you on test day.
When you arrive, bring a valid picture ID for Identification (Driver's License, school ID, etc.)
Preparing for The Exam
Attend the Proficiency Test Prep (study materials to be handed out) session so that you can learn what kinds of questions will be on the exam and how to best prepare. The days/times of the Test Prep sessions for Spring 2016 are as follows:
- 3/2/16 from Noon-1p (FADM 186-Avera Hall)
- 3/2/16 from 5p-6p (FADM 186-Avera Hall)
Can't attend the UC Test Prep Session? You can prepare via the following resources:
CAAP Resources, Workshop Video, and/or Sample Test Questions
Proficiency Exam Workshop Video
Current Students: Proficiency Testing
What is the CAAP test (Proficiency Exam)?
The proficiency (CAAP) exam is designed to measure students' knowledge of material covered in general education courses. All who are seeking an associate or baccalaureate degree from one of the South Dakota's regental institutions must satisfactorily complete the proficiency tests. The proficiency exam, produced by ACT, consists of four, 40 minute each, multiple-choice exams in science reasoning, math, reading, and writing skills.
The examination is scheduled once each semester, during the first two weeks in November and the last two weeks of March. Bachelor degree-seeking students are required to take the exam as soon as they have passed 48 credit hours at or above the 100-level. Associate degree-seeking students must take the examination as soon as they have passed 32 credit hours.
Prior to sitting for the exam, students should have completed at least three credit hours in each of the following areas: composition, speech, mathematics (at or above the level of college algebra), natural sciences (six credit hours recommended), social sciences and humanities/fine arts. Students who do not take the examination when notified will not be allowed to register at any of the SD regental universities for two academic terms.
Does my home school have more information/study materials for the CAAP exam?
As University Center is a location, your home institution has additional test dates, study materials and information on the scoring of your CAAP exam. The CAAP test is administered by the Assessment Offices and delivered to University Center so students can have the convenience of taking the exam locally. Click on the links below to visit your HOME school's Academic Assessment Office:
USD | SDSU | DSU | BHSU | NSU | SDSM&T
When is the CAAP (Proficiency Exam) offered at University Center?
The exam (full and re-takes) is administered on behalf of the Assessment Offices at each SDBOR institution at University Center twice per academic year (November and March). All SDBOR students required to test will be notified by letter approximately three weeks prior to testing.
How do students prepare for the CAAP exam?
To ensure that you’re prepared for the exam, incoming freshmen should complete these courses in their first 30 credit hours: completion or current enrollment in college algebra (or an equivalent higher level math course), composition and one general education course in natural sciences, social sciences and humanities/fine arts. You can obtain sample test question packets/information by physically visiting the UC Testing and Resource Center or by visiting ACT's CAAP site.
What should a student bring with them on test day?
Students must arrive with a photo ID to be allowed to test, at least 3 sharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers and a calculator for the mathematics portion of the exam. Note: these calculators are NOT allowed:
- Pocket organizers
- Handheld or laptop computers
- Electronic writing pads or pen-input devices
- Calculators built into cellular phones or other wireless communication devices
- Calculator models with QWERTY (typewriter-style) keyboards (calculators with letters are permitted as long as the keys are not arranged in the QWERTY format)
- Calculator models with built-in computer algebra systems including:
Casio CFX-9970G, Algebra fx 2.0, Class Pad 300 and Class Pad 330T - Texas Instruments TI-89, TI-92 series and TI-Nspire CAS (unless the 84 keypad is in place)
- Hewlett-Packard HP-40G, HP-48GII, HP-49G and HP-50G
What if a student is not earning a degree, but just wants to take some classes? Do they still need to take the exam?
If you are enrolled as a degree-seeking student (eligible for financial aid and earning a degree with one of the SD BOR schools), you are required to take the exam. If you are a non-degree seeking student (not eligible for financial aid and not pursuing a degree), you are NOT required to take the exam. All degree-seeking students must take the exam to continue with their studies.
What happens if students are NOT successful on the exams?
Students who do not meet the minimum required score(s) on the exams will develop a remediation plan with help from the Remediation Plan Advisor at their home institution. Remediation involves the use of training materials or resources specific to the exam that wasn't passed in an effort to help the student learn the material. Students who have remediated will be allowed to retest in the specific area(s) of deficiency twice within the allowed time frame (2 semesters). The retests must be completed on the specified testing dates. For additional information, contact the Assessment Office at your home institution.
What type of calculator is acceptable/prohibited on the math portion of the CAAP test?
Prohibited calculators include all calculators in all of the following series:
• Casio CFX-9970G (including, for example, CFX-9970GE)
• Casio Algebra fx 2.0
• Hewlett-Packard HP-40G
• Hewlett-Packard HP-49G
• Texas Instruments TI-89
• Texas Instruments TI-92 (including, for example, TI-92 Plus)
You may use any four-function, scientific or graphing calculator as long as it doesn’t have any of the features on the list.
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