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Testing Center
Placement Testing
In order to evaluate your educational background, Southwest administers placement tests designed to help you and the College determine which courses are most appropriate for you. An Online Admissions Application must be submitted five (5) business days prior to testing. The type of Placement Test that you will take depends on the following criteria:
Students Under Age 21
One government issue photo ID is required for all testing.
ACT® is the placement test required for any student who is under age 21. Students must have national test scores sent to Southwest. Southwest will accept the "Best" score for each test category if you send scores for more than one test date.
Southwest offers the Residual ACT® test for students who have not taken the ACT® exam on a national test date. While the Residual ACT® test can be used to enroll at Southwest, the scores will not transfer to another institution nor can the score be used to qualify for the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship program.
**Students under age 21 who have taken a national SAT exam may use those scores in place of ACT.
Students Over Age 21
Students who are 21 years of age or older and/or have no transfer credits from another institution are required to take all areas of the COMPASS® placement test. This is a computer based test that will determine placement into college level courses.
To learn more about the COMPASS® test and to view sample questions, visit the Compass for Students website.
While you may wish to schedule a time to take the COMPASS® test to ensure a seat, Southwest does accept walk in testing for COMPASS® on a first come, first availability basis.
Transfer and Summer Visiting Students
Students may be exempt from placement testing if they:
- Have college level coursework in English or Mathematics with a "C" or better from a regionally accredited institution
- Have valid ACT/SAT score that places him/her in college level courses.
Next Step
After you have completed your placement test, the next step is to visit Advising and Counseling.
For additional examination/test information contact the Testing Center at 901-333-4170 [Macon Cove Campus] / 901-333-5127 [Union Avenue Campus].
