Student Assessment Center
The Student Assessment Center provides various examinations for the students entering South Texas College. Exams such as the TSI Assessment Exam, the American College Test (ACT), General Educational Development (GED) and many others from Pearson VUE are available. All exams are scheduled and administered throughout the year making it necessary to provide reservations for the various test types.
Exam Sign Up & Information
TSI Registration
Select Type of TSI Assessment to view detailed information:
All students who plan to enroll at South Texas College (STC), including students in high school enrolling in a college-level course, MUST take the TSI Assessment Exam before enrolling in any college-level credit coursework.
ACT FAQs
How do I register for the ACT?
Go to www.actstudent.org. You must create an ACT web account by clicking on Sign Up/Log In
What are the dates for the ACT?
Go to https://www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html to review the dates for the entire year.
Where do we show up for the test?
The place depends on the college/university location you choose during registration. Your Admissions Ticket will provide you with the time, date and where to meet. Here at STC, the meeting location is in Building J - first floor lobby area.
How much does it cost to take the ACT exam?
If you are testing for ACT (No Writing), it will be $63.00. If you are testing ACT Plus Writing, it will be $88.00. For more information on this, please go to https://www.actstudent.org/regist/actfees.html
How can I do my best on test day?
GED® Information
General Requirements to take GED® Test: (On-Line):
- Have a government issued photo ID
- Be 18 years of age
- You are a resident of Texas
- Not be enrolled in school
- Not be a high school graduate
Not 18? You can test at 17 if:
- You have a government (national or foreign) issued photo ID;
- You are a resident of Texas;
- You are not enrolled in school (you are excepted if you are enrolled in an approved in-school GED preparation program);
- You are not a high school graduate and
- You must have parental/guardian permission.
You can test at 16 if:
- The applicant has a government (national or foreign) issued photo ID
- The applicant is a resident of the state
- In the care of a state agency or under a court order or in a Job Corps training program
- Is not enrolled in school
- Is not a high school graduate
All GED Exams are On-Line Testing via the Pearson VUE system:
Visit https://ged.com/ for test registration.
- $36.25 per test - paid upon registration for each of the 4 tests
- $145 total
| Subject Area | Time Allowed |
|---|---|
| Reasoning Through Language Arts | 155 minutes |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 120 minutes |
| Science | 95 minutes |
| Social Studies | 70 minutes |
Test Scores
The GED test now has a passing score of 145 on each part of the test. Therefore, each test taker will need to reach a score of at least 145 on each section and a total score of 580 on the entire test battery. (All four parts combined)*
*Test takers who took GED from January 1 2014 and onward.
- Below Passing: 100-144
- GED® Passing Score: 145+
Official Practice Test:
HESI A2 Exam
The HESI (Health Education Systems, Inc.) Admission Assessment, administered at South Texas College is a computerized exam designed to assess prospective students entering certain health fields at STC. The South Texas College Board of Trustees has approved the HESI exam for Fall 2017. Beginning September 1st 2017, students can begin signing up for the HESI exam through the STC Marketplace and pay all applicable fees.
Do I need to take the HESI exam?
Please call the South Texas College nursing program of study for more information.
ADN Program – 956-872-3132
LVN – 956-872-3011
How do I register for the HESI exam?
Student taking the HESI A2 exam must follow these instructions:
- View the HESI available test dates at STC Marketplace using the HESI store. After you select a test date and time, you will be prompted to enter your information, payment and to check off rules and regulations to test for the HESI A2 exam. Students are responsible to check out if they are testing for the HESI exam for the second time, failure to provide that information will result in taking the wrong exam. Absolutely no refunds will be given for providing the wrong information.
- Once all information is entered and your payment has been processed, you will receive a test date receipt which you will need to bring with you on the day of the exam. Your receipt is your proof of purchase, without it you may not be able to test.
- Create an Evolve account at evolve.elsevier.com.
Click on I’m A Student, then click My Evolve. In the orange pop-up box, click Create Account. You will receive an email containing your username and password. - Bring your payment receipt, your username and password, a valid non-expired ID. We do not recommend bringing in any other personal items; they are not permitted inside the testing room. If you bring any personal items, they will not be allowed inside the testing room. Students will be directed to place all personal items in a locker. STC nor the Student Assessment Center are responsible for any items damaged, stolen, or lost while being stored in the lockers.
What fees do I have to pay to take the HESI exam?
All students are required to pay a $25 reservation fee, plus a $45 test fee. All fees are not refundable and non-transferable. NO EXCEPTIONS .
What sections will I be tested on?
| Subject | Items |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension: Provides reading scenarios in order to measure reading comprehension, identifying the main idea, finding meaning of words in context, passage comprehension, making logical inferences, etc. | 55 items |
| Vocabulary & General Knowledge: Contains vocabulary terms that are commonly used in both general English speaking settings and in health care fields. | 55 items |
| Grammar: Contains basic grammar, including parts of speech, important terms and their uses, commonly occurring grammatical errors, etc. | 55 items |
| Basic Math Skills: Focuses on math skills needed for health care fields, including basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, fractions, decimals, ratio and proportion, household measures, general math, facts, etc. | 55 items |
| Anatomy & Physiology: Provides coverage of general terminology and anatomical structures and systems. | 30 items |
| Learning Style: Assesses the preferred learning style. | 14 items |
| Personality Style: Assesses personality related to preferred learning style. | 15 items |
Where is the HESI exam administered?
At this time the HESI exam is administered at 2603 Pecan Plaza in McAllen and F-129 at the Mid-Valley Campus in Weslaco. All students should report to their assigned location on their designated time and date. If you have any questions about your HESI test, please contact the Pecan Plaza at 956-872-3842 or the Mid-Valley campus at 956-872-6602.
What do I need to bring on the day of the exam?
On the day of the exam, students are only required to bring in their valid non-expired ID, receipt of payment and student username and password . Personal belongings, including electronic devices are not permitted inside the testing room. Students are advised to not bring these items on the day of the exam, however a locker is provided to store personal items if needed. SAC is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items stored inside the locker.
How do I prepare?
A study booklet is available and can be purchased at the online store:
HESI Admission Assessment Review, 4th Edition Edition
ISBN-10: 0323353789
ISBN-13: 9780323353786
When do I know the results of my exam?
A copy of the HESI test scores will be given after completion. The Student Assessment Center does not discuss test scores with testers. Students are recommended to discuss all test scores with their particular department of study.
If you have any further questions or comments, please contact the Student Assessment Center at 956-872-3484.
How many times can I test?
Students are allowed to test for HESI only twice per eligibility period only.
There are three eligibility periods:
- January 1 through May 31
- June 1 through August 31
- September 1 through December 31
STC Nursing program may not accept HESI scores for students who test for more than twice per eligibility period. Students will not receive any refunds if they test more than twice per eligibility period.
Pearson VUE Registration
Pearson VUE administers many different tests, including:
- CompTIA
- GED®
- and many others
Pearson VUE FAQs:
What kinds of tests does Pearson VUE provide?
Go to https://www.pearsonvue.com/ and click on Test Taker Services. Once you click on Test Taker Services, it takes you to where you would have to select your category and program for the test you are interested in testing. For example, click under Category: Academic/Admissions and on program, it provides you with all the different programs available to test in this case look for GED(R) Test. Once you click on that it takes you to sign up for a GED email account and then you are ready to register for the test(s).
How much does it cost to take an exam through Pearson VUE?
This will vary based on the test you choose. For Example, the GED has 4 sections you need to take to get your certificate: $33.75 each individual test or you may take all 4 in one sitting for $135.00
Where do we show up for the test?
Pearson VUE exams are offered at the Pecan Plaza Testing Center, located at 2603 Pecan Blvd., McAllen. Make sure you take your admissions ticket, picture ID and any other information listed on your admissions ticket.
TCOLE/TCFP Exams
The TCOLE (Texas Commission of Law Enforcement) and the TCFP (Texas Commission of Fire Protection) exams are administered at the Student Assessment Center through the year for qualifying candidates.
How do I register for the TCOLE or TCFP exams?
TCOLE Exam – This exam is only administered at the Pecan Plaza by advance appointments and having a letter of approval from TCOLE in order to make an appointment. Please contact us at 956-872-3843 or gcuella9@southtexascollege.edu for more information.
TCFP Exam - The TCFP exam is administered at the Pecan Plaza, Mid-Valley and Starr Campuses by advance appointments and having a letter of approval from TCFP in order to make an appointment to test. For more information on testing at any of our campuses please contact us at:
Pecan Plaza (McAllen): 956-872-3843 or gcuella9@southtexascollege.edu.
Mid-Valley Campus (Weslaco): 956-872-7617 or rdeanda@southtexascollege.edu.
Starr Campus (Rio Grande City): 956-488-5827 or mdlopez@southtexascollege.edu.
Disability Services
If you are an individual with a disability who would like to request accommodations for the TSI assessment, please contact Student Accessibility Services to make a request or email at disability@southtexascollege.edu.
Test Score Release
A Test Score Release Form is required for our office to submit Official Score Reports to other colleges or universities upon your request.
Hours & Locations
Pecan Campus
Student Assessment Center
3201 W. Pecan Blvd., K2.100
McAllen, TX 78501
956-872-3484
Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
| Name | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Lozano, Adrian - Director of Testing Services | galozano | 956-872-3485 |
| Gonzalez, Cynthia - Administrative Assistant | ggonz364 | 956-872-3485 |
| Hernandez, Kimberly - Testing Specialist | kherna62 | 956-872-3844 |
| Irlas, Hector - Coordinator of Testing Services | h_irlas | 956-872-3489 |
| Ramirez, Amanda - Testing Specialist | aramirez_7972 | 956-872-2120 |
Pecan Plaza (GED Office)
2603 Pecan Plaza
McAllen, TX 78503
956-872-3842
Regular Hours
Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
| Name | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Castrejon, Aimee - Testing Specialist | accastre | 956-872-6471 |
| Garza, Mayra - Testing Specialist | mgarz304 | 956-872-3439 |
| Olivares, Silvia - Testing Specialist | solivares_6035 | 956-872-3477 |
| Roman, Andrea - Testing Specialist | aroman4 | 956-872-3841 |
| Uvalle, Lori - Testing Specialist | loriu | 956-872-6402 |
Mid-Valley Campus
Student Assessment Center
400 N. Border, F129
Weslaco, TX 78596
956-447-6602
Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
| Name | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| De Anda, Ricardo - Testing Specialist | rdeanda | 956-872-7617 |
| Uresti, D'Ann - Testing Specialist | duresti3 | 956-872-6602 |
Starr County Campus
Student Assessment Center
142 FM 3167, G1.102
Rio Grande City, TX 78582
956-488-6976
Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
| Name | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Vasquez, San Juanita - Testing Technician | avasquez | 956-488-6976 |
| Lopez, Maria Rocio - Testing Specialist | mdlopez | 956-488-5827 |
Student Assessment Center
Mailing Address:
South Texas College
P.O. Box 9701
McAllen, TX 78501-9701
Phone: 956-872-3484 | 855-Go-To-STC
Behavioral Guidelines and Testing Dishonesty
All students must comply with the SAC Behavioral Guidelines and Testing Dishonesty while taking any exam at South Texas College Student Assessment Center.
