Test Outs

Southeast Technical College - Testing Center

Please work with your Admissions Representative or Student Success Advisor regarding what test out exams you may be eligible to take.

Contact the Testing Center at 605-367-6014 or testing@southeasttech.edu to schedule a test out exam.

Important Information Regarding Test Outs

  • If a student is registered for a course they are attempting to test out of, the test out must be completed by the end of day on Friday the first week of classes.
  • You can make only one test out attempt for each course (except for MATH 100 and MATH 101 – see below)
  • If you score high enough to test out of the course and are registered for the course, it is your responsibility to drop the course prior to the drop deadline.
  • If you fail the test out, you will need to register for or continue in the course to meet graduation requirements.

How to Test Out

Depending on the course, students wishing to test out may do so in various ways:

  1. MATH 100 and MATH 101 via ACT, SAT, or ACCUPLACER scores 

    • If you are applying for admission to Southeast Tech, please work with your Admission Counselor to determine minimum scores. If you are currently a Southeast Tech student, visit with your Student Success Advisor. 
    • These credits are awarded at Southeast Tech only and are typically not accepted at other institutions. See the area below about transferable credits if you plan to continue on for a bachelor’s degree.
    • If you successfully meet the minimum test-out score, you will pay the Business Office a $50 test-out fee after you have received these score(s). Then, the Registrar’s Office will award you credit to fulfill the requirement at Southeast Tech, and the credit will appear on your transcript.

    • Build Dakota Scholarship Students: Test outs for MATH 100 and MATH 101 are available to Build Dakota Scholars at no cost. Any other course test out or a second attempt for a math test out will be a $50 fee, payable before testing.

  2. Course-Specific Exams

    You may test out of courses using specific assessments created by Southeast Tech. Credit for these test out exams are not transferable to other colleges or universities.

    Below is a list of common test out courses. Upon request, other test outs may be available. Please contact the Testing Center directly for all test out details, questions, and requests at testing@southeasttech.edu or 605-367-6014.

    ACCT 210 - Accounting I

    ACCT 211 - Accounting II

    ACCT 237 - Payroll

    BUS 130 - Business Communication
    BUS 180 - Capstone in Business Studies (Personal and Professional Life Skills)
    BUS 217 - Customer Service
    BUS 220 - Personal Finance

    The Introduction to Computers test is administered through MindTap’s Skills Assessment Management software. The test requires tasks to be completed in a defined way. Not all Microsoft Office shortcuts will be accepted as correct answers; using the standard methods for each Office application will be necessary.

    Students have 120 minutes to complete the test and must earn a score of 80% or higher.

    Microsoft Word

    • Create, format and edit professional documents
    • Use page layout tools, headers/footers and graphic elements
    • Apply styles, indents, bullets and numbering
    • Prepare documents for printing and sharing

    Microsoft Excel

    • Build and format workbooks using formulas and functions
    • Create charts, apply cell formatting and manage worksheets
    • Use formulas with absolute references, IF statements and conditional formatting
    • Perform data analysis using Goal Seek and other tools
    Microsoft PowerPoint
    • Design and format presentations using themes and layouts
    • Insert and format images, charts, SmartArt and multimedia
    • Apply transitions and animations
    • Organize slides and prepare for delivery and printing

    Microsoft Access

    • Understand database structure and relationships
    • Create and modify tables, queries, forms, and reports Enter, sort and filter data
    The ENGL 100 Communication in the Workplace test-out evaluates a student’s competency in the course objectives. The course objectives are:
    • Define and explain basic communication terms and principles that underlie competent business and professional communication.
    • Write valid and well-supported analysis of communication problems encountered in real-world situations, as presented by case studies from the textbook and/or in scenarios from the instructor.
    • Explain and successfully apply principles and techniques of effective communication in the workplace, particularly within the context of business communication (Including formal and informal written, verbal and nonverbal workplace communication tasks such as email, letters, presentations, project notes and task updates).
    • To demonstrate competency, students must write essay-style answers about workplace communication scenarios.
    Preparation
    The textbook for ENGL 100 is available online in open-source format. Students can access it using the detail listed below. They may wish to skim parts of the text to familiarize themselves with concepts and vocabulary that might be relevant in the test out.
    1. Smith, Jordan. Communication @ Work. Seneca College (a Canadian institution of higher education). 
    HC 117 - Medical Language
    HC 118 – Anatomy/Physiology
    HRM 112 – Human Resource Management
    MKT 160 – Principles of Marketing
    PHYS 100 – Applied Physics
    PSYC 100 – Psychology at Work

  3. CLEP Exam

    The STC Testing Center can facilitate exams for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).

    CLEP Information