Class of 2023 Senior Assessment
NC State strives for continuous improvement. Assessment of the General Education Competencies, known as the Pack Proficiencies, helps NC State faculty and staff better understand how to support student learning. The Pack Proficiencies include: critical thinking, creative thinking, oral communication, written communication, and quantitative literacy.
This spring, NC State will administer a critical and creative thinking assessment to graduating seniors. Eligible graduating seniors will be invited by email to complete the assessment between February 13 and March 3. Instructors may also ask students (including non-seniors) to complete the assessment in-class as part of their coursework. All students who complete the assessment will be entered for the chance to win prizes.
All assessment data is reported in aggregate and individual student results are confidential. Students’ performance on the assessment will not affect their grades, class standing, or graduation status. NC State faculty and staff will use the data to make decisions to improve student learning in critical and creative thinking for NC State students.
Prizes
All students who complete the assessment will be entered for the chance to receive prizes including various gift cards and a free Graduation Photoshoot with Mr. Wuf! All prizes are listed below.
8 lucky students who complete the assessment will have the opportunity to take graduation photos with Mr. Wuf!
All who participate will be entered into a drawing for Amazon e-gift cards, Starbucks gift cards, Port City Java coffee cards, Howling Cow ice cream cards, and more!
Students who volunteer to take the assessment in our first week (February 13 – 17) will be entered into our Early Assessment drawing of a $25 Amazon e-gift card.
Students who complete the assessment may be selected to win an NC State gym bag, alumni t-shirt, mugs, decals, plaques!
More Information
NC State uses the Critical-thinking Assessment Test to assess how our students are meeting our stated learning outcomes. The assessment is not timed, but it usually takes about one-hour to complete. The is just 15 short answer questions and is completed on paper with pencil.
Participation in competency assessment is voluntary but highly encouraged. NC State engages in assessment as a process of reflection and continuous improvement. DASA Assessment shares aggregated data with faculty and staff so that they can make their courses and curricula even better. We additionally report on general education competency assessment to our accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Questions about the Pack Proficiencies or competency assessment may be directed to Samantha Rich (snrich@ncsu.edu) in DASA Assessment.