ACT Online Testing
Welcome to ACT Online Testing
Instead of having your pen-and-paper exam sent to a proctor, using the ACT option allows you to take your midterm exam online at one of more than 200 ACT testing centers.
This option is available to students registered in the following 12-week online courses:
Introduction to Anthropology (ANT-101-OL)
Computer Concepts and Applications (CIS-107-OL)
English Composition I (ENC-101-OL)
Global Environmental Change (ENS-314-OL)
Western Civilization I (HIS-101-OL)
Western Civilization II (HIS-102-OL)
American History I (HIS-113-OL)
African History and Culture (HIS-301-OL)
Introduction to World Religions (REL-405-OL)
Eastern Religions (REL-406-OL)
Western Religions (REL-407-OL)
Introduction to Sociology (SOC-101-OL)
The information below describes the procedure for using an ACT testing center.
How and When to Schedule your Midterm
If you are registered in one of the above courses and decide to make use of the ACT option, be sure to send in your completed proctor form indicating this choice by the end of the first week of the semester. (See the Course Essentials document found on your course site.) Then follow this procedure:
1. Go to www.act.org to find the ACT testing center closest to you.
2. Schedule a specific time and date to take this exam at your chosen ACT center. (You will be able to begin scheduling your exam[s] on Day 1 of the semester in which you are enrolled.) You need to schedule yourself for a 2-hour test window; the ACT fee for a 2-hour test is $45. That fee is paid to ACT when you schedule your test appointment. Any money paid to ACT is between you and ACT, so please make sure you understand all requirements instituted by ACT involving as canceling or rescheduling your test appointment. Those policies are detailed at www.act.org.
3. The 3-week testing window begins on Monday of midterm exam week. Consult the Course Calendar in your Blackboard site if you are unsure of this date. Keep in mind that some ACT centers will be busier than others. We recommend that you give yourself plenty of lead time in selecting and scheduling an appointment at your ACT center in case time slots are limited.
NOTE: Failure to find an open test slot at an ACT center will not be considered an acceptable reason for not completing your course requirements. If you need additional time beyond the last day of the term to complete any coursework or your examination, you will need to officially request an extension and pay the extension fee to the Office of the Registrar before you complete the examination. Students on official course extension must complete a new proctor form and select the pen-and-paper option, because the ACT online testing option is not available to students on extension.
What Happens on Test Day?
When you arrive at your chosen ACT center, you will sign in and provide the required photo identification. The center will provide a computer on which you will log onto your Blackboard site (http://myedison.tesc.edu). Be sure you have your Blackboard username and password with you.
Your ACT proctor will click "Tests & Quizzes" on the Blackboard course site and open the link to your midterm. This exam can be accessed only once during your semester, so be sure you are prepared to complete the test and work on it for the 2-1/2 hours you have. Although your exam has a 2-hour time limit, ACT requires that you allow an additional 30 minutes for instructions at the ACT center and for a brief survey you'll be taking after the examination. As with all exams, you may not need the full 2 hours to complete your midterm, but you'll want to make sure that time is available to you if you should need it.
Test Timing
At the start of your exam, a message will appear at the lower left corner of your monitor. This provides you with a running tally of how much time has elapsed while you are testing. When there is 1 minute remaining, a warning window will pop up. You must click "OK" in this window in order to finish your exam. Keep in mind that the test will not shut down when your time runs out. Thomas Edison State College holds all students to the honor system and we feel confident that you will end your test session when your time is up. Be advised, however, that we have the ability to verify the time spent on each test. Two (2) points will be subtracted from your final test score for each minute you go beyond the 2-hour time limit.
Academic Integrity
The Thomas Edison State College policy on cheating and plagiarism can be found by clicking on the following link: Statement about Cheating
You are responsible for reading and agreeing to this policy before you take your online exam. In addition, there is a link to this policy within the first question on your exam. When you take the exam, you signal that you have read and agreed to this policy.
