Testing Center

Welcome to the PVCC Testing Center! We proudly serve PVCC and non-PVCC students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the community. The Testing Center is dedicated to supporting your academic journey by providing a welcoming, inclusive, secure, and professional testing environment. Whether you're taking proctored exams for online/hybrid classes, make-up exams, or non-PVCC exams, our team is here to ensure a smooth experience. Let's make testing a positive step on your path to success!

Please explore our page for information on services, scheduling, accommodations, and testing policies.

Important Information for Testers

• You are required to present a photo ID prior to taking an exam. The ID can be a student ID or a government-issued photo ID.
• You are responsible for knowing your username and password when accessing Canvas or other necessary websites, course name and number, test number, and instructor’s name.
• Electronic devices (personal laptops, ear buds, cell phones, smart watches, recording devices, etc.) are prohibited in the testing room. However, you will use your cellphones for multi-factor authentication to access Canvas. All electronic devices must be silenced and secured.
• You are required to leave all belongings (bags, notes, electronics, etc.) in the designated area.
• Students are monitored using cameras and computer software.
• Drinks are permitted in testing areas. Food is not allowed.
• Pens, pencils, scratch paper, and ear plugs are available. Calculators and headphones (noise cancelling provided) are available but limited in quantity.
• Check the Testing Center’s hours of operation and arrive with enough time to finish your test before the designated closing time.
• Testing offices will be closed when the college is closed. Please check the PVCC home page for any closing/delayed opening messages.
• You do not need appointments for most academic tests. Exceptions include TEAS, NAS 2 CBE, Accuplacer, and Spanish Placement.
• Appointments are required for Pearson Vue, Kryterion and Prov in the Professional Testing and Certification Center.
• Do not bring children to campus when planning to test. A minor cannot be left unattended, and doing so is a violation of the VCCS Student Code of Conduct.

Academic Integrity and Dishonesty

Academic Integrity

While testing, students will uphold PVCC's Student Code of Conduct.

Testing Center Staff are responsible for maintaining integrity of testing environment.

If there is a suspected violation of the code of conduct, the instructor will be notified and given supporting material such as notes, screenshots, or video clips.

Faculty members are responsible for enforcing school policies.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic Dishonesty: Intentionally engaging in deceptive conduct to gain an unfair advantage in any academic work.

Cheating: Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise. This includes using another person’s work and then submitting it as your own; allowing another to take an examination in your name; and submitting identical or similar papers in more than one course without obtaining permission from the instructors of all the courses involved.

Data Misrepresentation: This includes fabricating data; deliberately presenting assignment data that were not gathered in accordance with assigned guidelines or are deliberately fabricated; or providing an inaccurate account of the method by which the data were gathered and generated.

Unauthorized Use of Electronic Devices: Violating established classroom or college policy by unauthorized use of electronic devices in the academic setting is forbidden.

Non-PVCC Proctored Testing

As a service to the community we proctor exams for non-PVCC students. If you are enrolled in a distance learning class through another college or university and would like to take your tests at the PVCC Testing Center, you will need to make arrangements with your school and with PVCC. Please complete the Non-PVCC Proctor Request.

As of Aug 13, 2024, the proctoring fee will be $30 for each test for schools not part of the Virginia Community College System. (ODU, PVCC and former PVCC students are exempt from paying fee.) Some schools pay this fee, and others require the students to do so. You may wish to check your school's policy before paying the fees to PVCC.

Student Testing Responsibilities

• Know the Testing Center’s hours of operation and arrive with enough time to finish the test before the designated closing time.
• Students are responsible for paying the $30 proctoring fee for each test for schools outside of the Virginia Community College System prior to testing. Check the hours of operation for the cashier before your scheduled test.
• You are required to present a photo ID prior to taking an exam. The ID can be a student ID or a government issued photo ID.
• Know your username and password when accessing Canvas or other necessary websites.
• If any special mailing is required, the test taker will need to make arrangements prior to taking the exam. The Testing Center cannot take money, so test takers will need to provide the necessary mailing materials from the source (the Post Office, Federal Express, UPS). This includes registered and certified mail.
• You are responsible for knowing their course name and number, test number, and instructor’s name.
• Bring your cellphones for multi-factor authentication for Canvas exams.
• You will sign in and out on the Testing Center log.
• You are required to leave bags, notes, and electronics in the designated area.
• You will turn off and put away all electronic devices.
• Drinks are permitted in testing areas. Food is not allowed.
• Do not bring children to PVCC when taking a test. Children may not be left unattended.

Offsite Proctor Request

If you are enrolled in a course through PVCC and want to take your tests at another testing site, please complete the Offsite Proctor Request form. The first page of the form gives clear examples of who can and cannot proctor for you, so please read carefully. It is your responsibility to find an acceptable proctor.

On the second page, you must complete Part 1 and ask your proctor to complete Part 2. When both parts are completed and signed, email the form to testing@pvcc.edu. When your instructor delivers the test information to us, we will forward it to your proctor.

Please complete the Offsite Proctor Request for Eugene Guiseppe Center if you’d like to test at our Greene location.

Faculty Testing Procedures and Forms

PVCC faculty who wish to make use of the Testing Center services should review the following policies and procedures regarding make-up and Online Learning tests.

The Testing Center will provide testing services for students who need to complete tests that they missed during regular class time and online/hybrid classes that require proctored exams. Due to limited space, it is not a standard procedure to test the entire class for face-to-face sections in the center. However, if you have extenuating circumstances, please contact the Testing Coordinator at afloyd@pvcc.edu prior to the test date. Exceptions include students with special needs or emergencies.

Testing Instruction Forms for Instructors

• General Testing Instructions
• NSG/PNE Testing Instructions

Important Information for Instructors

• Only students who need a private room or who are taking a specialty test need to make a reservation. Otherwise, we do not make appointments for academic tests.
• Inform your students to bring a government issued photo ID with them and their cell phone to complete multi-factor authentication for any Canvas test.
• Exams will not be administered after the expiration date as indicated on the Testing Information Form. Contact us via email, in person, or phone to change the test expiration date.
• Students may not use electronic devices (including cell phones, calculators, watches, eyeglasses, or fitness wristbands) that can access the internet.
• Students must sign in and out when taking a test. If there is ever a question of whether a student came by the center, we can always look it up.
• Students requesting to take exams at a location other than PVCC’s Testing Center on the main campus need to contact testing@pvcc.edu to make appropriate arrangements.
• Students enrolled in your class but living outside of the PVCC area may request to take exams at approved proctoring locations. Please have students contact us for more information.
• The start and finish times are timestamped on all paper tests. Based on the time listed in the instructions, the staff will tell the students how long they have for each test. Please know we do not keep track of the time for them. There is a clock in each testing room.
• Students are not allowed to carry testing material from the testing center.
• If, due to inclement weather, a professor needs the Testing Center to proctor an exam for an in-person course for five (5) or more students, submit the Test Information Form directly to the Testing Coordinator afloyd@pvcc.edu. The coordinator will respond within 24 hours after the college reopens.

Testing Center Policies

• Proctors will contact the instructor if students experience computer, Canvas, or other technical issues. If the proctor cannot resolve the problem, each student must contact their instructor.
• Computers, scratch paper, pens, pencils, and earplugs are available. Calculators and headphones (noise cancelling provided) are available but limited in quantity. Students may not use personal items (computers) unless the instructor indicates it on the Test Information Form.
• Testing Center staff will make every attempt to ensure a secure testing environment.  If a testing inconsistency occurs, the instructor will be notified.
• We do not recommend that students use personal devices to access their notes or ebooks.
• We reserve the right to refuse to test students when these procedures have not been followed.
• We reserve the right to deny proctoring requests if they cannot accommodate test requirements.

Submitting Testing Instructions

• Faculty SHOULD include contact information on their instruction form in case problems occur with test administration. We will never give contact information to students.  
• To facilitate proper filing, please include your name on all paper tests.  
• The date range for the test needs to be at least 3 days, preferably more. We cannot test a whole class at one time, or even in one day.
• If you have multiple classes testing at the same time, it is extremely helpful to have different deadline dates. You may even consider mid-week deadlines.
• Students should be encouraged to take tests on different days and not wait until the last day. Testing Center space is limited.
• Only one form is needed for multiple students taking the same test. A complete class roster is required when leaving a test for an entire online/hybrid class. Otherwise, student names can be listed if only a handful of students take an exam.
• If using Lockdown Browser, specify how we are to access it. (Lockdown first or Canvas via Google)
• Instructors are responsible for making copies of exams, providing additional material (ex. Conversion Charts, documents printed in color) and supplying scantron forms.
• For online tests, please make sure that the test is published in Canvas, that it is easily accessible by the student, and that the availability dates and password are set correctly.
• Turn off the webcam option if you use Respondus Monitor on your Canvas tests.

Accommodations

Some students require special accommodations while testing, and we strive to provide the best possible environment for each student’s success. Whether it’s noise-canceling headphones, Read & Write software, or the use of a private room, we will work with Student Accessibility and Accommodations (SAA) to give you the tools you need to succeed. For more information, please see the Student Accessibility and Accommodations page.

Please contact:

Director of Student Accessibility and Accommodations  
Kari Hirst, MSW, LCSW  
434.961.5281  
Virginia Relay (hearing impaired)  
Khirst@pvcc.edu

Making Appointments for Private Rooms

Private rooms are only available for students with specific accommodations approved by the SAA. Once approved for use of private room, it is advised that you contact the Testing Center to make reservations as far in advance as possible. Reservations are made on a first-come, first- served basis and may not always be available. 

Important Information for Testers

• You are required to present a photo ID prior to taking an exam. The ID can be a student ID or a government-issued photo ID.
• You are responsible for knowing your username and password when accessing Canvas or other necessary websites, course name and number, test number, and instructor’s name.
• Electronic devices (personal laptops, ear buds, cell phones, smart watches, recording devices, etc.) are prohibited in the testing room. However, you will use your cellphones for multi-factor authentication to access Canvas. All electronic devices must be silenced and secured.
• You are required to leave all belongings (bags, notes, electronics, etc.) in the designated area.
• Students are monitored using cameras and computer software.
• Drinks are permitted in testing areas. Food is not allowed.
• Pens, pencils, scratch paper, and ear plugs are available. Calculators and headphones (noise cancelling provided) are available but limited in quantity.
• Check the Testing Center’s hours of operation and arrive with enough time to finish your test before the designated closing time.
• Testing offices will be closed when the college is closed. Please check the PVCC home page for any closing/delayed opening messages.
• Do not bring children to campus when planning to test. A minor cannot be left unattended, and doing so is a violation of the VCCS Student Code of Conduct.

Accuplacer for ESL Students

The Accuplacer is a placement test used to guide you to the ESL/ENG class that is best for you. The test determines if you need to take ESL classes through Thomas Jefferson Adult & Career Education (TJACE) to build skills or PVCC classes such as developmental ESL or college-level English.

TJACE offers classes for students at all levels. From little to no ability to speak, read, or write in English, and those who are ready for more complex reading and writing.

What's on the Test?

The ACCUPLACER ESL includes four components:
Sentence Meaning 
Language Use 
Reading Skills 
WritePlacer ESL (essay writing)

Use these sample Accuplacer questions and WritePlacer ESL practice to prepare for the test. Once you are ready for the test, please call the Testing Center at 434-961-5320 to set up an appointment.

Types of PVCC Tests

Academic Tests

Instructors may make arrangements for online/hybrid students and students receiving accommodations to take tests in the Testing Center.

Instructors: Due to limited space, it is not a standard procedure to test the entire class for face-to-face sections in the center. However, if you have extenuating circumstances, please contact Testing Coordinator afloyd@pvcc.edu prior to the test date. Exceptions include students with special needs or emergencies.

Make-up Exams

The Testing Center will provide testing services to students who need to make up tests that were missed during regular class time. Arrangements must be made between the student and instructor, plus the instructor must provide testing instructions to the Testing Center prior to student arriving for a make-up exam.

Course Placement

The Virginia Placement Test is not required for most students. More information about English and Math placements and links to Advising can be found on the Course Placement page.

NAS 2 Credit-By-Exam (CBE) Foundations of Life Sciences

NAS 2 presents basic biological and chemical concepts for students interested in the health sciences. BIO 141 has a prerequisite that requires students to successfully complete the NAS 2 course, pass the NAS 2 CBE with a 70% or better, or earn a C or better in General Biology I (BIO 101) or BIO 106 is Life Science. Students will be unable to take BIO 141 without first satisfying the required prerequisite.

Getting Ready for CBE

Contact the Testing Center (434.961.5320) to make an appointment for this exam.
The student will be enrolled in the NAS 2 CBE course, giving them access to the study materials. Students are strongly encouraged to take time to prepare for the exam.

About the CBE Test

The test contains 90 questions
Time Limit: 2 hours and 45 minutes 
Passing score: 70%
No books, notes, or online resources are permitted
The CBE can only be taken once.

Spanish Placement

PVCC offers a language placement for students who want to study Spanish. The test is used to determine the best starting point and consists of three levels: 101/102, 102/201, 201/202. All students start at the lowest level and must achieve a certain score to progress to the next class or level. 

About the Spanish Placement Test

Each level contains 50 Questions
Time Limit: untimed
A character map is provided
No books, notes, or online resources are permitted

Scoring

For the first level, a passing score is 35 and placement is SPA 102.
With a score of 45 you can take the next level test.
Examples: 
Student A takes the first level test (101/102) and earns a score of 35. Their placement is SPA 102.
Student B takes the first level test (101/102) and earns a score of 45. They are eligible to take the second level test, 102/201. 

Contact the Testing Center (434.961.5320) to make an appointment for this exam.

TEAS

The ATI TEAS is a requirement for many of PVCC's Health and Life Science programs and is offered through the Testing Center at various times throughout the year, usually a month or two before a program deadline.

For example, the radiography program has an application deadline toward the middle of May. The Testing Center will offer exam opportunities in April and May until the application due date. To request an email with the available dates for this program, please reach out to testing@pvcc.edu in March.

Important Program Deadlines*

• Diagnostic Medical Sonography | Mid-May
• Radiography | Mid-May
• Surgical Technology | Beginning of June
• Practical Nursing | Mid-September
• Nursing | Mid-February and Mid-September

* subject to change

To request an email with the available dates, please reach out to testing@pvcc.edu.

Prep Resources for ATI-TEAS, Feb 2024 - final

Professional Testing and Certification Center

PVCC operates a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center. It provides on-site, on-demand testing for certification and professional licensure exams.

The Professional Testing and Certification Center (PTCC) is housed in the Tutoring Center, located in room M253 in the Main Building on the main campus in Charlottesville. The PTCC offers exams, licensures and certifications from Pearson VUE, Prov, and Kryterion. The center is open to the general public and anyone in the surrounding community can take an exam.

Typical Hours for PTCC: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; some Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Appointments required. Exams must be scheduled using the links above. Hours subject to change. Current availability will be shown when scheduling an appointment. Fees vary by exam. 

For academic testing, please find the Testing Center section on the Hours of Operation page.

Pearson VUE

PVCC is a designated Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center. Pearson VUE Authorized Test Centers are privately owned, third-party testing facilities which provide on-site, on-demand testing for certification and professional licensure exams. As one of the only Pearson VUE Authorized Testing Centers in the Charlottesville area, this well-respected authorization gives PVCC the ability to test students and area citizens pursuing key industry certifications such as CompTIA, Microsoft and important academic exams such as the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) and the GED®. In all, hundreds of types of exams are offered. To find more information and to schedule a test, please visit https://www.pearsonvue.com/.

Prov

Founded in 2004, Prov was built on the idea that reliable testing solutions should be available for everyone. Now, more than 20 years later, Prov is proud to offer innovative and accessible exam services to administrators and candidates across a variety of professions. We are a national testing company and a member of the National College Testing Association (NCTA).  Prov offers exams for the following programs:

Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Board for Barbers and Cosmetology.
NCPCCI National Certification Program for Construction Code Inspectors.

To find more information and to schedule a test, please visit https://provexam.com/

Kryterion

Kryterion offers thousands of online exams & certifications for more than 170 clients including Google, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and many more.  To find more information and to schedule a test, please visit https://www.kryterion.com/.