California Critical Thinking Skills Test

The California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) is an approved standardized test administered by ETSU to fulfill Quality Assurance Funding (QAF) Standard 1: General Education Assessment.  The General Education Assessment is designed to provide incentives to institutions for improvement in the quality of their undergraduate general education program as measured by the performance of graduates on an approved standardized test of general education.  Each year ETSU's average is compared to the national average for that year.

The CCTST is a 45 minute, 34-item, multiple-choice test that evaluates students’ ability to analyze, infer, explain, evaluate, and interpret information.  Completion of the CCTST is a graduation requirement for all undergraduate students, and students are eligible to register for the CCTST after completing 96 credits.  A graduation hold is placed on a student's account until they take the CCTST or receive an approved exemption.  Please be aware that CCTST holds are not removed automatically upon completion; it may be a few business days after completion that the hold is removed.

Some students qualify for an exemption from the CCTST:

• Students who have already taken the CCTST;
• 
  Second degree candidates (not Reverse Transfer students);
• 
  Students registered with Disability Services as having a documented disability that the test and/or testing center is not designed to accommodate; and
• Non-native English speakers.

Most students take the CCTST in the University Testing Center, located on the first floor of Sherrod Library.  For more information and to make an appointment to take the CCTST on campus at ETSU, please click here

For assistance scheduling an appointment, please contact the Testing Center or call 423-439-6708. 

Online only and distance students may take the CCTST at an approved offsite location.  If you are an online only or distance student and need assistance locating an approved offsite location to take the CCTST, you may contact the Office of Assessment - information below.

Faculty and Staff have access to the CCTST data that has been disaggregated by program, department, and college.  To view this data, click "Assessment Data and Resources" in the left column, and enter your ETSU login credentials.

 

Contact:  Megan Miller
Telephone:  (423) 439-6712
E-Mail:  millerme2@etsu.edu