Tests Administered

If you’re a new ECC student, you may need to take writing, reading, and math placement tests to determine the right classes for your skill level. Learn more about placement tests here.

Take your adult education placement test at Elgin Community College’s Testing Center to determine the right level for your English as a Second Language (ESL) or Illinois High School Diploma classes through the Adult Basic Education Center (ABEC). Learn more and schedule your ABEC testing on the Testing Center page.

These appointments are for students who have approved testing accommodations through the Student Access & Disabilities Services (SDS) office. If you have accommodations, please follow these steps:

For Extra Time:

• Use this link to Register Blast to schedule your test or quiz at the ECC Testing Center at least two business days in advance.
• Follow the instructions provided by the SDS office to make sure your accommodations are correctly applied to your testing appointment.

For Reader, Scribe, Assistive Technology, or Private Room:

• Email sds@elgin.edu at least two weeks before your test or quiz to arrange these accommodations.

For more information about testing accommodations and next steps, visit the Student Access & Disabilities Services webpage.

This offering is intended for ECC students with an instructor-accepted excuse for not testing during an on-campus exam. The Testing Center is unable to proctor online exams at this time.

If approved by an ECC instructor, students can take an exam that was missed in class in the Testing Center. The instructor must submit the exam proctoring instructions, and the student must schedule a makeup test appointment through this link at least two business days before testing. Instructors can find information on how to submit their exams on the intranet. 

The American College Testing (ACT) test is administered at ECC multiple times a year. Visit to www.actstudent.org for test dates and registration information.

ASE student certification is the first step in building a career as a service professional in the automotive industry. Marking the completion of career-entry studies in automotive technology, collision repair and refinishing, or medium/heavy-duty trucks, these tests can provide the student with their first industry certification through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. ECC tests students once a year. Visit ASE website for more information.

The Certified Nurse Assistant exam is for those who have completed a Basic Nurse Assistant (BNA) training program that can be completed in one semester. Certified nurse aide competency testing is required to become a Certified Nurse Assistant.

Although ECC is an approved testing site, you must register and pay for the exam through SIU’s Nurse Aide Testing site.

Elgin Community College is an official CLEP testing site open to both students and community members. Anyone who registers and pays the required fees can take a CLEP exam. A passing score may qualify you for academic credit at ECC or other participating colleges and universities. For more information about CLEP tests, please visit the CLEP website.

ECC students can use the CLEP Scores & Equivalency Chart to see how exam results apply toward course credit.

If you plan to transfer CLEP credit to another institution, check that school’s CLEP policy to confirm which exams they accept.

CLEP exams are offered by appointment in the Testing Center, and registration is a two-step online process.

Registering with Register Blast

1. Go to the CLEP registration page to create an account and pay for your CLEP test. CLEP tests are free to members of the military.
2. Schedule your CLEP exam at Elgin Community College.
• There is a $25 administration fee due at the time of registration.
• All testers must have an ECC student ID number and a valid email address to test.
• To obtain an ECC student ID, complete an inquiry form and select "Need an ID for Test Proctoring." Once processed, you will receive an email with your ECC ID number.

College Composition Modular Testing Process

If you want to earn credit for English Composition I (ENG 101) at ECC, you’ll need to complete a two-step CLEP testing process:

1. Take the College Composition Modular Exam
   1. You must earn a score of 50 or higher to move on to the next step.
   2. The exam has about 90 multiple-choice questions that test your understanding of writing, grammar, and composition principles.
2. Write Two Essays
   1. If you score 50 or higher, you’ll write two essays within 90 minutes—either on a computer or in a booklet provided by the Testing Center.
   2. In one essay, you’ll need to take a position on a topic and use information from two provided sources, including citations to support your argument.
   3. Three ECC English faculty members will read and score your essays independently based on the learning outcomes for ENG 101.
   4. You’ll receive your results in about 3 to 10 business days after completing the essays.

Elgin Community College is a test site for CompTIA certifications. Exams can be scheduled through PearsonVue or this link.

Credit by Proficiency offers an opportunity to gain credit for knowledge you have acquired in an occupation or educational environment outside of college, or through other life experience, related to specific Elgin Community College courses.

Through this process, students who demonstrate knowledge needed to complete an ECC course can gain college credit without taking the course. Proficiency exams are available in the Testing Center for the courses listed below and can be taken to gain credit. Students interested in seeking proficiency credit in an eligible course not listed below should contact the course faculty directly for testing information.

Modern Language Courses:

Computer Information Systems (CIS)

Student seeking proficiency credit for a course, the they must:

1. Meet with their academic advisor or faculty
2. Complete the Proficiency Request Form - PDF and gain approval from the advisor or faculty
3. Submit payment to Student Accounts
4. Schedule an appointment with Testing Services

Elgin Community College is partnered with PearsonVUE to provide you will a secure and convenient place to take your GED exams online. For more information about the GED and to choose which location you would like to test, create your profile and register at www.ged.com.

HVACR certification testing, including EPA 608 and residential exams testing, is available to students in ECC’s HVACR courses. A fee is required for the EPA 608 exam. For details, contact George Rosa at 847-214-7871 or go to Building O, Room O153.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme subject tests may be used to fulfill ECC course requirements in various areas. Download a guide to assessment to learn more about your IB diploma and college admission.

ECC Courses & Required Scores Chart

Addictions counselor certifications are offered at Elgin Community College through the Illinois Certification Board (ICB). ICB is a private, non-profit organization that promotes standards for professionals in the addictions field. ICB offers several certifications through the Testing Center including:

• CADC - Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
• CAAP - Associate Addictions Professional
• CRSS - Recovery Support Specialist
• CFPP - Family Partnership Professional

For more information on how to apply to test for these exams, visit the Illinois Certification Board.

The Certified Nurse Assistant exam is for those who have completed a Basic Nurse Assistant (BNA) training program. ECC's NUR 105: Basic Nurse Training Program is a 7-credit hour course that can be completed in one semester. Students who complete this course are eligible to sit for the CNA test. There are several BNA programs in our area and across the state.

CNA test sessions are open for any eligible state of Illinois candidate, so they are not just for ECC students.

Testers register for testing through INACE. A list of FAQs for testers can be found here. Students can also reach out to inat@siu.edu for help.

Students in ECC's Digital Technology courses (CIS 241, CIS 242, CIS 243, and CIS 244) may apply for specific certifications. The first exam is free for each course. Contact your instructor for certification details. Students should create a Certiport account before coming to the test testing center on the exam date.

This paper-based test is administered to students who have completed the appropriate HVAC course. Students will work with their instructor to schedule this exam.

A State Seal of Biliteracy designated on a high school transcript may be used to earn proficiency credit in a language other than English. The State Seal of Biliteracy recognizes the completion of two years of high school language coursework. The courses for which a student can receive college credit based on the Seal of Biliteracy is denoted with a proficiency code in the catalog.

• Biliteracy course listings
• State seal biliteracy FAQ

The ECC Testing Center is an authorized PearsonVUE test site. All registrations and payments for PearsonVUE exams must be made directly with Pearson. 

Students completing ECC’s ACC 210 QuickBooks Online course can sit for the QuickBooks Online Certification Exam. Interested students should contact their instructor to obtain a testing voucher. Students should create a Certiport account before coming to the testing center on the exam date and must bring their voucher to the test. A Certiport account is required for every test candidate who wishes to take an exam at a Certiport Authorized Testing Center (CATC).

ECC offers the ACT® WorkKeys® suite of tests, which can be used to gain Paraprofessional Licensure in Illinois or a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). Please read the Illinois State Board of Education requirements for a Paraprofessional. For more information on WorkKeys and the NCRC, please visit Workkeys and check out their free online practice test. 

ECC offers an online study program for the WorkKeys® exams called WorkKeys Curriculum to prepare for your exam. WorkKeys exams are administered by appointment only. The exam fee is $25, due at the time of registration.

Please be aware that you must wait at least 30 days before retaking a WorkKeys Exam.

Register for a WorkKeys exam

Request WorkKeys Study Guide