First-Year Assessment

The Belltower is framed with spring flowers on a warm May afternoon. Photo by Becky Kirkland.

What is the Quantitative Literacy Assessment?

The quantitative literacy assessment is one of the Pack Proficiencies, or general education skills that every student should gain from their education at NC State. DASA Assessment coordinates with the Office of Assessment and Accreditation to administer an assessment of the Pack Proficiencies every year. You do not need to do anything to prepare for this assessment.

What to know:

Bring your Wolfpack One card (student ID) to the assessment.
The assessment is 25 questions and timed at 45 minutes. If you have an accommodation letter, please email Madalene Compton at dasa-assessment@ncsu.edu.
Check-in may take an additional 15 minutes. Plan for 1-hour total.
The assessment is completed online at a computer in the DELTA Testing Center (see below).

Quantitative literacy (QL) – also known as numeracy or quantitative reasoning – is a “habit of mind” competency, and comfort working with quantitative data. Individuals with strong QL skills possess the ability to reason and solve quantitative problems from a wide array of authentic contexts and everyday life situations; the understanding and creation of sophisticated arguments supported by quantitative evidence; and the ability to clearly communicate those arguments in a variety of formats using words, tables, graphs, and mathematical equations as appropriate.

Why am I asked to take the assessment?

NC State strives to ensure that all undergraduates receive a broad general education curriculum that prepares students to be thoughtful, engaged, and productive citizens. First-year students are asked to complete an assessment of general education skills in their first semester. Aggregated assessment data help faculty and staff better understand student experiences and help us determine how we’re meeting learning outcomes. The data from this assessment will be used to help make departmental and college decisions to strengthen student learning at NC State. The results will be compared to similar data from students at our peer institutions. Assessment results are also shared with our accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Learn more about General Educations Assessments at NC State.

While participation is not required, it is highly encouraged and helps make NC State better! By completing the assessment, you will be entered into a drawing to receive an Amazon gift card and other prizes (see below).

Is the assessment graded?

The assessment will NOT impact your GPA or course grades. Your individual score will not be shared. Results are only reported in aggregate. While it is not graded, we encourage you to try your best!

How do I sign up for the assessment?

Assessments are administered in the DELTA Testing Center from August 21 – September 6. You received an email from DASA Assessment inviting you to sign up for a time to take the assessment. You must sign up in advance. The assessment is offered from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm on most days. Extended times are available on 8/26, 8/28, 9/3, and 9/5.

What prizes can I receive?

The first one-hundred (100) students who complete the assessment will receive a “mystery bag” filled with NC State branded prizes. Additionally, all students who complete the assessment will be entered into a drawing to receive one (1) of four (4) $25 Amazon e-gift cards.

I’m not a first-year student. Should I still complete the assessment?

This assessment is restricted to new first-year students. If this is your first semester on campus, regardless of your class standing by credits, you are eligible to participate.

Who can I contact with questions about this assessment?

Please reach out to DASA Assessment staff with questions about the assessment, signing up for a time to participate, prizes, and accommodations. You can reach Madalene Compton (Program Coordinator) or Samantha Rich (Director) at dasa-assessment@ncsu.edu.