The Assessment Center at Bellingham Technical College provides testing and proctoring services for accommodated exams, GED testing, and industry and career-related certifications. Bellingham Technical College is committed to providing equal access to all college programs, activities, and events.

For the security of all exams, the Assessment Center is monitored by recorded video cameras. Cheating and misconduct are not tolerated. All testing candidates are expected to act with honesty and integrity and follow all Assessment Center testing policies and procedures.

A valid photo ID is required for all testing, including make-up exams and accommodated tests.

Guided Self-Placement (GSP)

Guided Self-Placement (GSP) is the preferred placement method for Bellingham Technical College.

The Assessment Center does not administer or assist with Guided Self-Placement testing.
For questions about the process, contact outreach@btc.edu.

English and Math Placement Requirements:

Before meeting with a College Navigator for your required GET Started advising appointment and enrolling in classes, placement requirements must be met. Most degree programs at BTC require both English and math placement.

There are several ways to determine your placement:

• Official Washington State high school transcripts from the last three (3) years (out-of-state high school transcripts are not accepted for placement)
• Official transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university
• Approved test scores (ACCUPLACER, Compass, Asset, Smarter Balanced, SAT, ACT, and others)
  • Note: BTC no longer offers on-site ACCUPLACER testing
• BTC Guided Self Placement (GSP) assessments
  
  

GSP is an online English and math assessment designed to help students choose appropriate starting courses. It is free and available online at any time.

For questions about GSP, contact outreach@btc.edu.

For additional guidance on admission to BTC and required steps, refer to the Admissions Steps page.

Submitting Transcripts and Scores

Official transcripts and test scores must be sent directly to BTC:

Email: Transcripts@btc.edu

Official transcripts/scores must be sent directly from the institution to BTC:
Electronically via Transcripts@btc.edu or by mail to:

Mail:
BTC Enrollment Services 
3028 Lindbergh Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225

A BTC application must be on file before transcripts can be evaluated.

Complete Your Guided Self-Placement

Math Guided-Self Placement
English Guided-Self Placement

Students enrolled in Transitional Studies courses or participating in an I-BEST program are required to take the CASAS exam. The CASAS exam is used to track student progress and is administered through the Assessment Center at no cost to students.

The CASAS exam includes Reading, Listening, and Math. It is not a pass or fail test and is used only as a measurement tool.

Students who need extended time accommodations will receive a letter to share with their instructors to support extended time use.

For questions or more information, contact the Transitional Studies department at 360.752.8341 or email ts@btc.edu. 

Students required to take CASAS exams:

• ELA students
• I-BEST program students
• High School 21 students

By appointment: Monday - Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm 

Go to GED Registration and Appointments to register and make your test appointments. Each of the four tests costs $36, payable online with a debit/credit card.

A valid, government-issued photo ID is required at time of testing.

GED tests are generally available weekday mornings and afternoons. The actual schedule is available through the GED website once registration has been completed.

GED Eligibility Requirements

To take the GED exam in Washington, you must:

• Have a current Washington State-issued ID
• Be at least 16 years old
• Not currently be attending high school
• If you are under 19 years old, you must meet Washington State age-release requirements before testing. 
  
  

Age Requirements 

Washington State requires students under 19 to receive approval before taking the GED.

• Students who attend or previously attended a public, private, tribal, or charter high school must complete an Approval to Test Form.
• If your last high school was outside Washington State, the form must be completed by the Washington school district where you currently live.
• Homeschool students must submit a completed and notarized Homeschool Statement.

Students must also create an account at GED.com and select Bellingham Technical College as their preferred testing center. 

Once the required form has been completed, students are required to visit the Assessment Center in- person with a valid photo ID and their completed forms. Assessment Center staff will review the paperwork and remove the age-release hold from the student's GED account if all requirements have been met.

Age-release requests are only processed in-person during our hours of operation. 

Students ages 16–20 who are interested in earning a GED while attending BTC are encouraged to learn more about the IMPACT Program.

Identification Requirements

A valid, government-issued photo ID is required for testing.
Your ID must include your address, date of birth, signature, and photograph.

Accepted forms of ID:

• Washington State Driver's License
• Washington State Photo ID
• Military ID
• Tribal ID Card
• Valid Passport or Passport Card
  
  

Learn more about earning a GED in Washington. 

Testing Accommodations

Visit GED Accommodations if you need testing accommodations, such as:

• Extended time
• A private room
• Additional breaks
• Other approved accommodations
  
  

For answers to common questions about accommodations, see the GED Accommodations FAQ.

Preparing for the GED

Need help getting ready for the GED? Bellingham Technical College offers Transitional Studies programs that can help you build skills and prepare for GED testing.

Learn more about GED preparation and other Transitional Studies options before scheduling your exam.

Scheduling Your GED Exams

Visit GED Registration and Appointments to register and schedule your tests. Each of the four GED tests costs $36 and must be paid online with a debit or credit card.

GED tests are generally offered on weekday mornings and afternoons. Available appointment times can be viewed after you complete your GED registration.

Test Scores

A passing score is 145 on each of the four GED tests.
You must earn a score of at least 145 on all four tests to receive your GED credential.

In Washington State, the GED is $36 per subject. The retest fee is $10 and must be paid before each retest.

GED Transcripts

All GED transcripts must be requested through the GED website. Bellingham Technical College does not maintain GED records.

Important Information

Beginning January 2, 2014, the GED test moved to a computer-based format. GED scores from tests taken before 2014 do not carry over. Students who did not complete all required tests with a qualifying score by December 13, 2013, must retake all sections of the current GED exam.

By appointment: Monday - Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Bellingham Technical College is a Pearson VUE Select Testing Center. Through Pearson VUE, we offer certification and professional exams for students, staff, and community members.

How to Schedule an Exam

All Pearson VUE exams must be scheduled through the Pearson VUE website.

The Assessment Center cannot schedule Pearson VUE exams. Please contact your exam sponsor for registration instructions and exam information.

Available Exams

We offer many Pearson VUE exams, including:

• GED
• CompTIA
• Microsoft
• Evaluation Systems
• U.S. Secret Service
• Amazon Web Services
• American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) 
• National Registry (formerly NREMT)
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
• Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) 
  

If you have questions, contact the Assessment Center at assessment@btc.edu or 360.752.8335.

By appointment only: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

The ATI TEAS exam is a four-hour test. Morning appointments are recommended to allow enough time to complete the exam. During busy periods, ATI TEAS testing availability in the Assessment Center may be limited. Students may also take the ATI TEAS exam remotely through the ATI website.

Non-BTC students are welcome to take the ATI TEAS exam and may have their scores sent to another college. ATI charges an additional fee for score reporting.

For more information, visit the ATI TEAS Help Center. 

Admission into BTC Programs

The ATI TEAS is required for Bellingham Technical College’s Veterinary Technician and Dental Hygiene programs.

Effective April 12, 2023, the Nursing, Radiologic Technology, and Surgical Technology programs no longer require the ATI TEAS for admission.

Before Testing

• Email assessment@btc.edu to schedule your exam. 
• Pay $95 in-person with the Cashier (with ctcLink ID), Campus Store, or the Campus Store Online.
• Bring your payment receipt, your ATI login, and a valid photo ID to your appointment.
  • Create your ATI account

By appointment only: Monday- Thursday from 8:30 am- 4:30 pm

Candidates will select and pay for their exam through the ASE website.

After receiving your confirmation number, email assessment@btc.edu to schedule your appointment. Include your ASE ID number for faster scheduling.

Accessibility Resources 

Students who need testing accommodations can contact Accessibility Resources to set up support services.

Accessibility Resources works with students to arrange approved accommodations for exams.

Resources 

Apply for Accommodations

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