Regents' Test

Eligible students pursuing an undergraduate degree must take the Regents' Test their first semester and every subsequent semester until they pass the test. The test measures reading and writing skills. Students enrolled in Learning Support English and/or reading must exit these areas and will take the Regents' Test their first semester of enrollment after exiting. The test can only be taken one time per semester and students must take both parts of the test at the same sitting if both are required.

Students who score low on the Regents' Test in their first semester will be required to enroll in the Regents' Skills (RGTE 0198, RGTE 0199) courses during their second semester of enrollment. A low score on the Regents' Reading Test is a score below 50. A low score on the Regents' Essay Test will be determined by the raters during the scoring session.

Full-time students that do not pass the Regents' Test by the end of their second semester of enrollment will be required to enroll in the Regents' Skills courses in their third semester. Students who take these courses must meet the course requirements in order to be permitted to take the Regents' Test that semester. These courses cost money but do not count toward the degree. Part-time students who have earned less than 20 overall hours by the end of their second semester will not be required to enroll in the Regents' Skills courses until they've earned 20 hours.

Regents' Test Policy concerning Transfer Students

Transfer students from institutions outside the University System of Georgia
Students that transfer to CSU from an institution outside of the University System of Georgia will take the Regents' Test their first semester of enrollment. Those that fail the test and whose overall earned hours total up to18 after their first semester at CSU will be allowed to test their second semester unless they obtain a low score. Those that score low will be required to enroll in the Regents' Skills (RGTE 0198, RGTE 0199) courses in their second semester. Students that fail the test and whose overall earned hours total over 18 after their first semester at CSU must take the Regents' Skills courses in their second semester.

Transfer students from institutions within the University System of Georgia
Students that transfer to CSU from an institution within the University System of Georgia will either be permitted to take the Regents' Test their first semester or be required to enroll in the Regents' Skills courses, depending on the number of hours transferred. Students that transfer up to 24 hours will be permitted to take the test. Those that score low will be required to enroll in the Regents' Skills courses in their second semester. Students that transfer 24 or more hours from another University System of Georgia school will be required to enroll in the Regents' Skills courses their first semester of enrollment at CSU.

No Show Policy

Students who do not keep their testing appointment for any reason will be fined $75.00. This fine will prevent course registration, transcript requests, and graduation application.

Exemptions

Exemptions to the Regents' Reading Test:
* SAT Verbal (Critical Reading) score of at least 510
* ACT Reading score of at least 23

Exemptions to the Regents' Essay Test:
* SAT Writing section score of at least 560
* Combination of SAT Verbal score of at least 510 and an SAT Writing section score of at least 500
* SAT English Writing Subject Test score of at least 650
* College Board Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature or English Language score of 3
* International Baccalaureate (IB) higher-level English score of 4
* ACT Combined English/Writing exam score of at least 24
* Combination of ACT Reading score of at least 23 and ACT Combined English/Writing score of at least 22.

All scores must be from national test administrations.

Description of the Regents' Test

The Regents' Test measures a student's reading comprehension and writing skills. Each part is timed for one hour. Students must use a black ink pen to write their essay and can use a dictionary in the last 15 minutes of the essay test.

Registration
Students register for the test through the Add/Drop menu under the Enrollment Services tab in ISIS at the time they register for courses. A confirmation letter is generated and should be printed. The appointment will appear on the student's course schedule in ISIS. You should make every effort to select a testing time that does not conflict with your classes.

To reschedule your appointment
Call the Testing Center at 706-507-8020 to reschedule your appointment. If you need to reschedule during the test administration period, you must report in person to the testing location, as staff will not be in the office to take phone calls.

Score reporting
The Regents' Test scores are reported to CSU approximately 5 weeks after the testing period has ended, and results (pass or fail) will be posted to the student's academic advising record in ISIS at that time.

How to prepare for the test
The Regents' Testing Program web page http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwrtp/ provides students with information about the test, such as a practice reading test with feedback, approved essay topics, and how tests are scored.

Identification requirements for testing
You must present a valid government-issued ID with signature and photograph to be permitted to test. If you arrive without the required identification, you will be asked to return to another testing session with proper ID.

What to bring to the test
In addition to your ID (see above), you must bring sharpened #2 pencils. Students taking the essay test must also bring black ink pens and a dictionary, which is optional. See the Regents' Testing Program web page (http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwrtp/) for acceptable dictionaries.

Prohibited items
Cell phones and other electronic devices are not permitted at the testing location. Students who are discovered using their cell phone during the test, or whose cell phone goes off during the test, will be dismissed and their test will not be scored.

Location of the test
The Regents' Test is administered in the Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center located on East Lindsay at the corner of College Drive.

Regents' Test Essay Review

Students who fail the Regents' Essay Test may appeal their scores. The student will complete a form in the Testing Center to request that the essay be sent to the English Department for review by a panel of three faculty members. The Testing Center will assess the student a fee of $15 for the review. The panel members will rate the essay as Failing, Borderline, or Passing. An essay that receives at least two "passing" ratings will be sent to the Regents' Test Coordinator who will forward it to the Regents' Testing Program for a second and final review. The Regents' Test Coordinator will inform the student whether the test was forwarded to the Regents' Testing Program and what the decision was of the Regents' Testing Program.

Students must appeal their score by the midpoint of the first semester of enrollment after the semester in which the essay was failed, but no more than one calendar year from the semester in which the failure occurred. Students whose essays are under review must still follow any remediation requirements. Ratings of Failing or Borderline made by the CSU review panel or the Regents' Testing Program panel are considered final. A student cannot appeal these decisions.

Regents' Test for International Students

Other tests we administer

Testing Center
Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center, room 207
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
Ph: 706-507-8020
Fax: 706-568-2016

Text-only version

Questions/Comments?

Columbus State University
4225 University Avenue
Columbus, Georgia 31907
706-507-8800