College BASE for Students in Missouri

College BASE, a test of general education, assesses knowledge and skills in four subject areas: English, mathematics, science, and social studies.

You have no doubt taken different kinds of examinations, including achievement tests. Achievement tests reflect what a student already knows or can do at the time of testing. Criterion-referenced tests (e.g., College BASE) report how well each student has mastered a specific set of skills, or criteria—not how a student compares with other students.

In Missouri, College BASE is a required test for student admission into educator preparation programs. The Missouri State Board of Education established 235 as the cut-off score on College BASE for each of the four subjects covered by College BASE (English, mathematics, science, and social studies) and in the writing cluster within English (Rule 5 CSR 80-805.20). Some institutions have established higher standards for their students.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is the College BASE test given in Missouri and how do I register?
2. How much time is required for College BASE testing?
3. What are the minimum score requirements for Missouri educator preparation?
4. Will my scores expire?
5. Where is College BASE given in Missouri?
6. How do I prepare for College BASE?
7. May I use a calculator (or other materials) when I take College BASE?
8. What should I bring with me to the testing site?
9. What items are not allowed at the test site?
10. What should I expect when I take College BASE?
11. Is guessing allowed?
12. Who receives a copy of my scores?
13. What does it mean if I do not pass all areas of College BASE?
14. Can I retake College BASE?
15. Are accommodations allowed for students with disabilities?
16. Can I request an alternate test date?
17. What is considered misconduct at the test site?
18. When will I receive my score report?
19. How do I request additional copies of my score report?
20. Other questions?

When is the College BASE test given in Missouri and how do I register?

Missouri colleges and universities administer College BASE for educator preparation programs during at least five testing periods per year (see testing dates chart below). Each institution schedules a date within those time periods. Deadlines for registration are typically two weeks prior to each test administration. Please contact the testing services at your college or university to register to take College BASE. If you miss the registration deadline, many campuses will accept walk-ins, subject to space and test form availability, and generally for an additional fee. Check with your testing center for details.

You may take College BASE only once during each testing window.

Below is the schedule for College BASE and estimated dates when scores can be expected.

* Score reports will be sent to students and institutions within 4-6 weeks of the last date of each testing window. It is not possible to guarantee delivery of score reports any earlier than the dates shown. Scores are not given verbally over the phone, by fax, or by email.

** Note that these testing windows extend over two Saturdays.

How much time is allowed to take the exam?

College BASE takes approximately four hours to complete when you take it for the first time. Additionally, you should arrive at the test site 20–30 minutes prior to the testing time. Late-arriving test takers will not be admitted.

After initial administrative tasks and receipt of instructions, you will have forty minutes to write an essay in response to a specific prompt. Following a short break, you will have two hours and forty minutes to complete the multiple-choice component of College BASE consisting of 188 questions divided approximately equally among the four subjects. Only 180 questions are used to calculate your score; the other eight items are pilot questions and are not identified.

Allow 55 minutes per subject and 40 minutes for the essay IF you are retaking only part(s) of the exam. Students must retake the English multiple-choice section and the essay if either English or writing is required.

Questions are arranged by subject in the following order: English, mathematics, science, and social studies. You may answer multiple-choice questions in any order you choose, and you may return to any section in the multiple-choice part of the exam during the testing period.

What are the minimum score requirements for admission to a Missouri educator preparation program?

The Missouri State Board of Education requires a minimum score of 235 in each of the four subject areas and the writing cluster (which includes the essay) for undergraduate educator preparation program admission. Some institutions have set their own minimum score requirements for admission which may be higher, and some institutions require passing College BASE for admission to graduate education programs. Please check with the educator preparation department at your school to verify program requirements.

Will my scores expire?

According to policy established by the State Board of Education, students have two years from the semester when they first pass part(s) of College BASE to achieve passing status in all five parts. Students who do not complete the College BASE requirement within two years lose their passing status in all areas and must retake the entire examination.

After passing all areas of College BASE within the two-year period the scores do not expire.

Where is College BASE administered?

Please contact the testing services office at your college or university, or one administering the test in your area, to register to take College BASE. The Assessment Resource Center develops and scores College BASE but does not administer the test or register students for test dates. You may take College BASE at any Missouri institution administering the assessment for educator preparation.

Below is a list of campuses currently administering College BASE for educator preparation programs in Missouri (this list is subject to change periodically). Please contact the testing coordinator on the campus where you intend to take the test for more information on when College BASE will be offered and for any additional campus-specific information you may need.

How do I prepare for College BASE?

Questions on College BASE reflect the broad range of knowledge that most universities and colleges, including community colleges, expect their students to acquire by the end of the sophomore year. Most students who have successfully completed typical general education requirements recently are well prepared for this examination without additional content study being necessary.

The College BASE Student's Guide for 2011-2012 describes the skills tested on the College BASE exam. Most college textbooks and your class notes are good review tools to help you prepare. Some programs and institutions also have study groups to prepare for the assessment. A math study guide is available for purchase; however, study guides for other subjects are not available.

Read the note for all students on this website and follow these good test-taking strategies:

• Get enough rest the night before the test.
• Eat a good, balanced meal before the test.
• Bring two sharpened # 2 pencils and a calculator (a description of allowable calculator features is provided below.)
• Pace yourself to complete the entire assessment in the allotted time.
• If you are uncertain of a response to a particular item, come back to it later.
• Answer all the questions; College BASE does not penalize you for incorrect responses, so guessing is better than not answering a question.

May I use a calculator (or other materials) when I take College BASE?

Students may use their own hand-held, non-printing, 4-function (+, –, ×, ÷) or 6-function (+, –, ×, ÷, %, √) calculator during the examination. Allowable calculators include those with no memory, or a limited memory function which will store one to three numbers after it is turned off. Scientific and graphing calculators, which have extended memories and perform multiple functions, are not allowed. Any student who wishes to use a calculator should bring one; they are not provided at the testing site. Students are not allowed to share calculators or use other support materials (e.g., dictionaries, textbooks, notes) not provided with the exam.

What should I bring with me to the testing site?

Students should bring:

• two #2 pencils;
• picture identification card (student ID card or driver’s license); and
• calculator: only a hand-held, non-printing calculator may be used. Allowable calculators may include a limited memory function that will store one to three numbers after it is turned off. Scientific and graphing calculators, which have extended memories and perform multiple functions, are not allowed.

What items are not allowed at the testing site?

Students should not bring the items listed below. Leave them at home or in your car. Possession of these items in the test site may result in voiding your answer booklet. Any item brought to the testing site not listed below, but which the test coordinator determines is inappropriate for a testing environment, will be held by a proctor until testing is completed.

• cell phones or beepers
• any type of electronic device (iPads, Blackberries, laptop computers )
• dictionaries or other reference materials
• food or beverages

What should I expect when I take College BASE?

At the test site, the proctor will ask all students to sign-in and to present a current picture identification (e.g., college ID, driver’s license, passport) for verification. Food and beverages are not allowed in the test site. Cell phones, pagers, laptop computers, and other electronic devices (other than calculators as noted) are not allowed in the test site. If a student reports to the testing site with any electronic device, the item will be held by a proctor until after the student has completed testing. If the item is discovered during testing your answer booklet will be voided.

Is guessing allowed?

College BASE does not penalize you for guessing. Every correct answer counts toward your scores, so you should try to answer every question. An informed guess is better than no answer. In each case, read the question and all of the options carefully before selecting your response, but try not to spend too much time on any one question. During the test, the examiner will periodically notify you of the time remaining.

Who receives a copy of my scores?

You will receive a score report at the address you provide in your answer booklet. Your test scores are confidential and score reports are released only to the enrollment institution that you indicate in your answer booklet, or as required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and state or federal law. Student test scores and summaries of test scores may be released for research purposes, but only after all individual identification data has been removed. Your personal privacy is maintained at all times. You may request additional copies of your score report at any time by completing the score release consent form and sending it to the Assessment Resource Center with a check for $10.00.

What does it mean if I do not pass all areas of College BASE?

As an achievement test, College BASE evaluates what you know and are able to do at one moment in your college career; it is not intended to predict future success in any college course or major. If you did not pass all subjects you may retake those subjects during a future College BASE administration. Within two years of passing any component of College BASE, you may retest in the subjects you did not pass and your prior passing scores will be accepted. If you have not passed all four subjects and the writing cluster within two years, you must retake the entire examination.

The score report you receive provides detailed information on where your relative strengths and weaknesses are in the skill areas assessed with College BASE. You should use the information provided on your score report to better focus your review efforts if you need to re-test in any area(s).

Can I retake College BASE?

The Missouri State Board of Education allows students up to two years to re-test in any content area(s) they did not pass, during which time the initial passing scores in English, writing, math, science, and social studies will be honored. If more than two years have elapsed, passing scores expire and a student will need to take the entire assessment again if they re-test.

Students are allowed 55 minutes per subject area (plus 40 minutes for the essay if required) during retakes. During a retake, students may only work on one subject area during a 55-minute exam period.

If you do not receive a passing score in the either the English section or the writing cluster, you will need to retake both the essay and the English multiple-choice portion of the test. The writing cluster, including the essay, is a sub-set of English, so your performance on both the essay and on multiple-choice questions will affect your scores for each.

Are accommodations allowed for students with disabilities?

Accommodations are provided for students who have documented special testing needs. Students with special testing needs must complete a Special Services Request Form at the time of registration. This form is available from the campus test coordinator or may be printed from our website. Possible accommodations include a large-type edition, compact disc version, extended time, readers, signers, scribes, and magnifying equipment.

On the Special Services Request Form you must specify the nature of your disability, and request alternative testing procedures. Documentation of your disability must be verified by either the disabilities office on your campus, or documented by a learning disabilities specialist, a psychologist, or physician. The documentation must describe the nature of your disability and the special testing services requested. Check with your test coordinator for assistance in completing the form and answering questions about eligibility or documentation.

Can I request an alternate test date?

Testing is allowed on your campus on only one day during each statewide testing window. Non-Saturday testing may be allowed for religious reasons, but is not allowed for a student’s personal preference. The student must complete a Special Services Request Form, attach documentation from clergy, and submit the information at the time of test registration. Documentation from clergy must affirm that your religious practices prevent you from academic testing on a Saturday. Your institutional testing center will make every effort to schedule your test on a different date; however, the testing must be completed within the statewide testing window.

You may also consider testing at a different institution in your area which may be scheduled for another date during the testing window. Contact the testing centers at those institutions for details and to determine if space is available.

What is considered misconduct at the testing site?

Test takers may not engage in any behavior that provides an unfair advantage over other test takers, or is disturbing to other test takers. The College BASE staff reserves the right to cancel the scores of any individual who engages in misconduct or plagiarism during testing. If test center or College BASE staff determines that there is misconduct in connection with a test, the test taker may be dismissed from the test center and/or the individual’s test scores may be voided.

Misconduct may include, but is not limited to: taking the test for another individual, failing to provide adequate identification, using a cell phone, beeper, computer, or other electronic device, using a prohibited calculator, creating a disturbance, attempting to give or receive assistance from another test taker, removing test material from the test center, working beyond the allotted time, and failing to follow any instructions provided by the test center staff.

When will I receive my score report?

Approximately four weeks after your test date, you and the institution at which you are enrolled will receive a summary of your scores and a guide to score interpretation. Please note that score reports for the testing window in September will arrive approximately six weeks after your test date to allow extra time for test calibration and quality control.

Score reports for most teacher-education candidates include scores and passing status for the four subjects and the writing cluster. The composite score is computed only for students who take the entire test; it has no bearing on the teacher-education entry requirement. If passing status is not indicated on your score report, check with your campus department of education to find out your status.

Scores and passing status are released only by mail to the individual who tested and the enrollment institution or as required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and state and federal law. Scores are never released by the Assessment Resource Center over the phone, by fax, or by email.

How do I request additional copies of my score reports?

To request an additional score report to be sent either to another institution or to you, complete the Score Release Consent Form and send it with a $10.00 check or money order to the Assessment Resource Center (ARC), 2800 Maguire Blvd., Columbia, Missouri 65201. Credit cards are not accepted.

In order to protect the confidentiality of student records, ARC does not accept telephone requests for additional score reports, nor are scores and passing status released by ARC over the phone, by fax, or by email.

Still have questions?

In almost every case, your campus testing coordinator will be best able to answer your questions about College BASE. Many testing details such as times, venues, and procedures are decided on a campus-by-campus basis, so the testing coordinator will have the most current information. If you have additional questions your testing coordinator cannot answer, please contact us. Our office can be reached at 800-366-8232 from 8:00-4:00 Monday-Friday or by email at collegebase@missouri.edu.