Testing Services

Oceanside, Building 3300: 760.795.6685
San Elijo, Building 100: 760.944.4449, ext. 7752

Testing Services administers tests for course placement and serves as a test center for the Ability to Benefit (ATB) test, the American College Testing Program (ACT), and the General Education Development (GED) test. By individual arrangement, Testing Services also administers external examinations and an examination on the U.S. Constitution used for California teacher certification.

MiraCosta's initial course placement tests (English Assessment, ESL Assessment, and Math Competency Exam) and the ATB test are offered free of charge. All other tests require payment of fees at the time of application. Fees vary, and in most cases they are nonrefundable.

MiraCosta's course placement tests are open to students who have submitted an application for admission or who are currently enrolled. Adaptive testing is available to students referred by Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS), and extended time on the math test is offered to students who are non-native speakers of English. Scores may be used to meet various academic requirements. Questions concerning the accuracy of scores must be addressed to Testing Services within six weeks of test completion.

Academic Proctoring Center

The Academic Proctoring Center provides a proctored test site for students enrolled in online courses at MiraCosta that have an on-campus testing requirement. In addition, the center proctors instructor-authorized makeup exams for special student circumstances. Students referred by DSPS for testing with extended time may also utilize this service.

General Education Development Test (GED)

The GED is offered several times during the year. Examinees must be 18 years of age, a California resident, and provide an acceptable photo ID to register and take the test. GED registration is available at Testing Services, Oceanside Campus; Admissions & Records, San Elijo Campus; and the Community Learning Center, 1831 Mission Avenue, Oceanside.

Scores are mailed to examinees approximately two weeks after test completion. Students who need to meet a deadline should take the test at least one month before the deadline.

Computerized English and math testing is done at the Oceanside Campus's Testing Services Lab, the San Elijo Campus's Testing Center, and the Community Learning Center. Students are allowed to take the English or ESL Assessment, any of the four mathematics tests, or the ATB test twice. Tests given through MiraCosta's high school outreach testing program will not be counted toward this maximum. Students must wait at least 24 hours after their initial test before retesting. Individuals who do not intend to enroll at MiraCosta but who wish to take the English or ESL Assessment, any of the four mathematics tests, and/or the ATB test are charged $30 per test.