Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Senior Exit Exam?

Austin Peay uses the California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) as its Senior Exit Exam. This test is used by colleges and universities to assess the effectiveness of their general education programs. It is a tool used to improve the quality of instruction and learning. The CCTST provides an objective measure of critical thinking skills and engages students reasoning skills.

The CCTST assumes students have completed most or all of the general education or core curriculum requirements at their institution. The questions have a broad range of difficulty; some are quite easy, others are more difficult. It is an objective test which uses a multiple-choice format of 34 questions. The test is timed and must be completed in 45 minutes.

Why is it given at Austin Peay?

Students, faculty, and administrators are committed to the common goal of academic excellence at Austin Peay. An exit exam provides the standards by which our progress toward excellence is measured. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission requires all state universities administer a Senior Exit Exam.

Test results help us in curriculum design and high scores bring additional state funding to further improve our programs. You, as a student, play a crucial role in this process of assessment at Austin Peay. Your participation is required so that other students, faculty, and administrators can benefit from your knowledge and experience. Group scores are reported and evaluated to satisfy state requirements and to provide us with research data. Individual scores will be kept confidential and will not be recorded on transcripts.

How does the Senior Exit Exam compare to other tests required?

The CCTST is a multiple-choice test similar to other standardized tests you have taken in your educational career. However, it is a separate test from the Major Field Test, which are administered by individual departments. Please contact the Departmental Representative for your major for dates and times these tests will be given.

Am I required to take this test?

Taking the Senior Exit Exam is required of all seniors graduating with their first Bachelor's degree in any major. The exam should be taken during a student's final semester before graduation.

This is a graduation requirement. A hold may be placed on your diploma until this requirement is met. For a list of graduation requirements and deadlines, please contact the Office of the Registrar at (931) 221-7150 or visit their website.

Students graduating with Associate's or Master's degrees are not required to take this exam. Students receiving their second Bachelor's degree should contact IRE to confirm their status.

What if I take classes online?

Senior Exit Exams cannot be given online. The test must be administered and proctored in a classroom setting. If you take classes online via the Tennessee Board of Regents Online Degree Program, please email our office at ire@apsu.edu from your campus email address with your name, A number and explanation of circumstances. Your situation will be evaluated to see if you qualify for an exemption. Students will receive responses via their campus email address.

Does my exemption from a Major Field Test mean that I am automatically exempt from the Senior Exit Exam?

Exemptions granted by departments for Major Field Tests do not apply to the Senior Exit Exam. Students must contact IRE by email at ire@apsu.edu to request an exemption. All requests must be made in writing detailing the circumstances why an exemption is requested.

Is there any cost involved?

There are no fees charged to students to take this exam.

What if I have a disability?

If you have a disability that may affect your performance, please review the Disability Policy so we can accommodate your needs.

When and where do I need to take the exam?

The Senior Exit Exam is offered multiple times each semester. Dates and times for the exam are listed under Exam Schedule. Schedules are generally posted at the beginning of each semester. These will be the ONLY dates offered so please plan ahead. The number of participants in each session is also limited. Once the maximum number of students allowed is reached, a session will close. To sign up for an available session, please click on the Registration Form tab.

What do I need to bring to the exam?

On test day, please arrive at least ten minutes early to the session you choose. Dress comfortably and make sure you have your APSU ID card or another form of photo identification. You will be asked to show your ID during the sign-in process before being allowed to test. Pencils will be provided. Only test booklets, answer sheets and pencils are allowed on desktops during testing.

The following items are prohibited in the examination room during testing:

• calculators
• scratch paper
• dictionaries
• books
• compasses
• rulers
• food and drinks
• children

What if I am late to the exam?

Students who arrive late will not be allowed to test. Instead, students will be asked to leave and directed to reregister. If another exam is scheduled for that day, students can opt to go to the later session.

Should I guess at the answer?

This test is scored based on the number of questions answered correctly. There is no penalty for guessing, so you should try to answer every question. It is better to guess at an answer than not respond at all. If you have some knowledge about a question and can eliminate one or more of the answer choices as wrong, your chance of selecting the right answer is improved.

What score do I need to earn to graduate?

No minimum score or level of achievement on senior assessments listed in the baccalaureate degree requirements is required for graduation. Participation in testing is a graduation requirement for all students, and a commitment to performing well is expected.¹

¹ 2011-12 Undergraduate Bulletin, page 74

What should I do if classes are canceled due to inclement weather?

Please register for another test session if APSU cancels classes because of inclement weather during the time you are scheduled to take the exit exam.

How can I obtain my score?

Scores are available upon request by contacting IRE approximately one month after testing has concluded for the semester.