The Northwestern State University Testing Center has moved to first floor of Eugene P. Watson Memorial Library, where the center provides a variety of testing options for students at NSU and surrounding communities.
“We help individuals achieve their goals by providing the most advanced testing options in a quiet and secure environment,” said Star Hamous, director of the Testing Center. “Some of the testing options we offer are Accuplacer, CLEP, PRAXIS, GRE, TOEFL, ACT, SAT, LSAT, Pearson and Castle Worldwide and NCE.”
The Testing Center also offers proctoring services to students whose professor is not physically located on the Natchitoches campus with the majority coming from online instructors.
“We proctor an estimate of 500-1,000 students per quarter,” Hamous said. “During midterms and finals, we accommodate our students by extending our hours. Students and candidates need a form of identification in order to test which can include NSU Student ID, or valid driver’s license.”
Hamous has been director of the Testing Center since last August. She holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies and a master’s degree in adult education from NSU and taught at a technical college before rejoining the staff at NSU. Also on staff is Testing Assistant Gabby Trindle, who holds a degree in social work from Texas State University. Each are required to have current certifications for each of the testing organizations they represent.
The Testing Center moved from Kyser Hall to Watson last November as part of NSU’s vision to have academic support – testing, tutoring and advising – together in one location convenient to students.
“Having the academic support areas in one location allows students to be tested, tutored and advised in a one stop shop concept,” said Jennifer Kelly, assistant to the provost for Academic Support and Auxiliary Services, who is also located in the library. “If a student is not successful on their Accuplacer test they can stop in the Academic Success Center for free tutoring before they ever leave the building. Once they are successful on the Accuplacer the student can then seek advising for future enrollment at NSU. All enrolled students can seek free tutoring in the Academic Success Center.”
The Testing Center administers the PRAXIS and GRE on weekdays to an estimated 150-300 individuals per quarter. ACT, SAT and LSAT are administered on Saturdays. About 200 high school students take the ACT each test date. The Testing Center also provides proctoring for the surrounding communities and offers Pearson and Castle for candidates seeking various certifications. Staff also participate in District Literary Rally, N-Side View Credit Connect and Freshman Connection. Off-campus instruction site testing is available at NSU’s Leesville, Alexandria, Shreveport, Barksdale AFB and Marksville campuses. Times and services at those instruction sites vary.
Plans are in development for a parking lot in front of the library, Kelly said.
“This is another service NSU provides for students, faculty staff and the community,” Hamous said. “We are always open to additional resources and programming for our students.”
For more information on the NSU Testing Center, call (318) 357-5246 or email at testing@nsula.edu
