Proficiency
Quick Navigation: Policy | Proficiency Benchmarks | Submitting Proficiency | Demonstrating Proficiency | Additional Assistance | Challenge Proficiency | ACCUPLACER | GovReady | Frequently Asked Questions
Policy
Austin Peay State University (APSU) students must demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics prior to enrollment OR during initial terms of enrollment by registering and completing a co-requisite general education course OR a subject-specific proficiency course.
Proficiency Benchmarks
Proficiencies have minimum benchmarks that you can achieve prior to attending APSU that will ensure that you do not have to take proficiency courses/tests in that general education core area.
Submitting Proficiency
If you have reached the benchmarks above, you can submit your test scores or transcript to Admissions to be processed.
Submit Official ACT
Official scores can be sent directly from the testing site or by your guidance counselor.
APSU’s ACT school code is 03944
Submit Final HS Transcript
Your guidance counselor, school representative, or GED/HiSET test center staff can submit your official academic transcript to the Office of Admissions.
Submissions can be sent via:
Mail to Admissions:
601 College St,
Ellington 128
Clarksville, TN 37044
E-mail to Admissions:
This process is usually completed during your initial application process, but if you have updated scores or need to submit your final transcript, you can submit them prior to attending your Governor's Orientation.
Demonstrating Proficiency
If you are required to achieve a proficiency, there are courses to complete your proficiency while still receiving university credit towards your academic degree. Austin Peay State University (APSU) ensures academic success for students by providing targeted support for courses with significant reading, writing, and mathematics content.
Additional Assistance
Students working on reaching their proficiency benchmarks can also receive assistance in multiple ways at the university in their courses.
Peer Tutoring
Peer tutoring can be an essential factor in student success. As part of APSU’s efforts to help students succeed, we provide FREE peer tutoring for 1000, 2000, and select upper-level courses.
Peer Tutoring: Center for Academic Support & Enrichment
Tutor.com
Austin Peay State University offers an online tutoring service for current students through Tutor.com. This 24/7/361 service will support on campus and online students in a number of courses. Students can access the service when and where they need it and they can even use a mobile browser.
Online Tutoring: Center for Academic Support & Enrichment
Challenging Proficiency
Your initial placement can be challenged if you need to complete a proficiency while enrolled at the university. You can challenge your proficiency placement through ACCUPLACER or GovReady.
ACCUPLACER
NextGen ACCUPLACER is a computerized assessment that provides important information about individual skills and preparation for college-level courses.
GovReady
GovReady is an assessment system used to help students complete their proficiencies for free and provides tools to help them grow in their proficiencies if they do not initially complete the assessment successfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: If receive a 3.5 GPA or the appropriate ACT score from the benchmarks above, do I have to sign up for a General Education placement test?
Answer: No. Your grades and/or ACT score is enough to demonstrate proficiency.
Question: If I submit my ACT score and it is lower than the benchmark, but my GPA meets or exceeds the benchmark, do I still need to take the placement test?
Answer: No. We will take the highest score. In this case, we would use your GPA to demonstrate your proficiency.
Question: I arrived at Governor's Orientation, but I did not submit my ACT scores. How can I submit them?
Answer: If you took the ACT and did not send your results to APSU, log in to your account
at MyACT.org and show your test scores to the advisor in the registration room. Your
advisor will take a photo of your scores to send to Admissions so that your
proficiency status can be updated.
Question: What are my testing options?
Answer: There are multiple options available:
- ACCUPLACER - Computerized test with multiple choice questions
- CLEP - Computerized tests with multiple choice questions
- GovReady Testing and Learning Modules - Launching in Summer 2026
Question: How do contact the Testing Center at APSU?
Answer: You can get in touch with the Testing Center through email, phone or in person:
Email: testingcenter@apsu.edu
Phone: 931-221-6269
Address: Marks Building, Room 120