Testing Services

Ability to Benefit Testing

According to the U.S. Department of Education, students who have not earned a high school diploma or GED may still be eligible for financial aid if they successfully complete the ability to benefit (ATB) test. TMCC uses the College Board's ACCUPLACER test, approved by the U.S. Department of Education, for this purpose. When taking the ability to benefit test, the student must complete the reading comprehension, sentence skill, and arithmetic tests during a single testing session.

Important

  • Student must have a current letter of admission for the term they plan to enroll.
  • Student must meet or exceed all three passing scores (see below) during a single test administration.
  • Testing must be completed in the same seating, unless the student has accommodations through the American Disability Act (ADA) stating otherwise.
  • Test must be complete by 5 p.m.
  • TMCC will maintain records of all students who take ACCUPLACER ATB test. Records will include Student name, ID number, date of test, and successful and unsuccessful attempts.

The U.S. Department of Education has approved the following as passing scores:

ACCUPLACER TestsPassing Scores
Reading Comprehension55
Sentence Skills60
Arithmetic34

Special Arrangements for Students with Disabilities

If you have a disability that will prevent you from taking the test under standard conditions, contact TMCC's Disability Resource Center prior to reserving a testing time. Under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) any student who needs accommodations which require special testing environments should be scheduled well in advance of the start of the term; requests in the three weeks prior to the start of the term may not be possible to schedule.

The new federal regulation regarding ATB regulations require test administrators who provide a test to an individual with a disability to report to ACCUPLACER the nature of the disability and the accommodations that were provided. The test administrator must ensure that there is documentation to support the determination that the individual is an individual with a disability and requires accommodations. Documentation of an individual's disability may be satisfied by

  • A written determination, including a diagnosis and information about testing accommodations, if such accommodations information is available, by a licensed psychologist or physician; or
  • A record of the disability for a local or state educational agency, or other government agency, such as the Social Security Administration or vocational rehabilitation agency, that identifies the individual's disability. This record may, but is not required to, include a diagnosis and recommended testing accommodation.

What to Expect the Day of the Test

TMCC will provide you with all testing materials. You will be required to show a valid government issued photo ID. During the test the use of cell phones and/or any forms of electronic devices is prohibited.

TMCC offers the ATB by appointment only. The ACCUPLACER ATB is a computer adaptive test that contains three subject areas (reading comprehension, sentence skills and arithmetic) that must be completed in one seating. ATB is not a timed test and the average time to complete this test is two hours. Please be aware that the testing center closes at 5 p.m.

ATB Retest Policy

Student must successfully complete all three sections of the test in one seating to pass. Students are able to refer to the College Board website for study materials. Students who are not successful in passing the entire ATB test are eligible to retake the test. Within any three-month period, ATB candidates may be permitted an initial test and one retest. There must be a two-week waiting period between the initial test and the retest. If the candidate does not pass after the retest, he/she must wait three months from the date of the initial test before retesting for a third or sequential time.

Schedule ATB Exam

Schedule an appointment to take the ability to benefit exam.