Testing Resources

The General Education Development (GED) test consists of four subject areas: Reasoning through Language Arts, Science, Mathematical Reasoning, and Social Studies. Passing all four GED test subjects gives those who did not complete high school a high school equivalency credential. North Central Michigan College, along with a substantial majority of American and Canadian colleges and universities, requires either a high school or state diploma to enroll. In the absence of this diploma, North Central and approximately 98% of accredited universities will accept a GED certificate in its place.  

Before you take your GED:

• You can purchase the official GED practice test at the website: https://ged.com/
• Northwest Michigan Works! Learning Labs offers free classes for adults 20 years or older to prepare for the GED. To register, visit the Adult Education website at https://www.nwmiworks.org/job-seeker/adult-education/

Registering for the GED:

Test takers can register online at ged.com or through the Pearson VUE call center at 1-877-EXAM-GED (392-6433)

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a way to get college credit for what you already know by earning qualifying scores on any of 33 subject area examinations. Earn credit for what you know from independent study, prior course work, on-the-job training, professional development, cultural pursuits, military training, and internships. 

Additional areas of prior learning are not applicable to the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) at this time (e.g. International Baccalaureate - IB, College-Level Examination program - CLEP, DANTES Subject Standardized Test - DSST, etc.)

Steps required of CLEP test-taker prior to exam appointment:

1. Test-taker registers through My Account at http://clep.collegeboard.org
2. Test-taker selects the score recipient (college) to receive the score transcript, pays the exam fee, answers questions, and prints the registration ticket.
3. Test-taker must contact NCMC’s test center at (231) 348-6682 to schedule a 2-hour appointment to take the CLEP exam. CLEP automatically uploads score results after testing.
4. Please arrive on time for your testing appointment. You must bring:
   • Government-issued ID, with a signature and picture (ex: Driver’s License, Passport)
   • The CLEP Ticket
   • $20 Administration Fee: Cash or Check made out to NCMC

Other Testing Information:

• A list of the CLEP exams and the NCMC course equivalencies are listed below.
• To determine what other colleges' course equivalencies are, call that college.
• CLEP for Military Personnel and Veterans information is available from the CLEP website.
• Test Preparation is available from the CLEP site at: http://clep.collegeboard.org/test-preparation.
• There is a 3 month waiting period to retake a failed CLEP exam.
• CLEP exams give immediate score results except for the College Composition exam which has up to a 3-4 week wait for your score.

North Central CLEP Equivalencies

DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) is a Credit by Exam program designed to grant college credits for prior learning. Exams are offered in over 30 subjects. Earn credit for knowledge you have acquired through independent study, previous course work, on-the-job training, military service, professional development, cultural pursuits, and internships.

Go to the DSST website at www.getcollegecredit.com to learn more about DSST testing. 

Additional areas of prior learning are not applicable to the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) at this time (e.g. International Baccalaureate - IB, College-Level Examination program - CLEP, DANTES Subject Standardized Test - DSST, etc.)

Contact the Tutoring and Testing Center at North Central’s Petoskey campus to schedule a 2hr exam appointment: 231-348-6682 or ttc@ncmich.edu.

NCMC DSST Equivalencies

The Tutoring and Testing Center provides test proctoring for North Central classes, community needs, distance education, and alternative testing for students with disabilities.

Exams for all students within the Michigan Colleges Online - https://www.micollegesonline.org, our Michigan community college partners, and all courses offered at North Central through our University Partners are proctored free of charge.

Students from all other institutions are charged a $20 proctor fee for sessions of 3 hours or less. Sessions requiring a longer duration will be charged accordingly. 

Services are available during weekdays. Late test proctoring is arranged on an as-needed basis with 48-hour notice, dependent on proctor availability. Additional fees may apply. 

Fall and Winter hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm

Summer hours: Monday – Thursday 8 am to 5 pm

A valid photo ID is required for all testing. For questions and scheduling regarding proctored test appointments, contact Learning Support Services at North Central’s Petoskey campus to schedule an exam appointment: (231) 348-6682 or ttc@ncmich.edu

Off-campus sites arrange test proctoring on a semesterly basis for students taking courses at those locations. Please contact the Cheboygan or Gaylord campuses for the current test proctoring schedule, or visit the website at https://www.ncmich.edu/about-us/Visit/off-campus-locations.html.

• Gaylord Center, 620 E. 5^thStreet, Gaylord: (989) 705-3775
• Cheboygan High School, 801 W. Lincoln Avenue, Cheboygan: (231) 597-0322