Twitter
Facebook
The first National Test Center in U.S. Air Forces in Europe is now open on Ramstein to the military community with the hopes of enhancing testing services.
Providing nine testing stations allows Ramstein to join more than 1,300 NTCs at various colleges, universities and military locations throughout the world.
“The NTC offers computerized testing for College Level Examination Program and Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support Subject Standardized Tests,” said Hiram Wood, unit Education Services flight chief. “CLEP and DSST tests allow students to receive college credits through testing, instead of having to enroll in traditional college courses.”
Previously at the Ramstein Education Center, test takers were given paper-based tests that required them to be mailed to the contractor for scoring, a process that usually took four to six weeks to get back to the student. Now, students get instant score results when taking electronic CLEP and DSST tests at the NTC.
Another increased benefit – the Ramstein Education Center could only offer 14 paper-based CLEP tests before, while the NTC is able to offer all 34 CLEP and all DSST exams. The only exceptions are the English composition with essay and public speaking, both of which are still offered at the education center.
“The NTC has made it much better for the students,” said Dr. Mica Wells, unit education specialist. “With the instant result, they know immediately if they have passed the exam and if they will need to take a class for that requirement or not. It makes class planning much more accurate.”
The CLEP and DSST exams are still free to all military servicemembers through DANTES funding. Additionally, the cost of the tests at the NTC is cheaper for civilians and family members. Civilians pay only $90 for CLEP exams versus the $120 it cost to take paper-based exams. DSST exams cost $90 for civilians at the NTC, Mr. Wood said.
The NTC is also offering Pearson Vue Professional Certification Tests for the EMT and communications career fields. The NTC is able to give 34 Pearson Vue Certification Tests, to include Adobe, Cisco, CompTIA, NREMT and SAP.
The NTC is located in Bldg. 2104, Room 109. It is open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with testing from 9:30 a.m. to 1: 30 p.m.
To schedule an appointment to test, individuals can call 480-3085 or 06371-47-3805, e-mail ntc.ramstein@europe.ctc.edu, or go online to www.europe.ctc.edu/programs/registration/clep_ramstein.php.
Study materials for CLEP and DSST tests are available at the local libraries and on-line at https://my.af.mil/afvecprod or under USAFE Library’s Lifelong Learning Center at www.usafelibraries.org.
(Courtesy of the 435th Mission Support Squadron)
