CAAP Tests for First-year Students

What are you being asked to do?
Participate in a University research project by taking a short test that measures either your critical thinking or general writing skills.

Why are you being asked to do this?
The UI is part of a national effort to develop an information warehouse for prospective students and their families to use in their college search.  Average scores from the College Assessment of Academic Ability (CAAP) tests will be used to demonstrate the UI’s strength in developing core learning skills in comparison to other institutions.

Who is being asked to test?
First-year students enrolled in College Transition.  The average score for each test will be reported in the University of Iowa Voluntary System of Accountability College Profile.

What do you get for participating?
On the day of the test you will receive a $20 IC/Coralville gift certificate.  The gift certificate is good at over 300 businesses and restaurants.

In addition, if you score at or above the national average, your name will be entered into a drawing for a $100 University Book Store gift certificate.

How much time will this take?
Each test takes forty minutes with the entire session taking less than an hour.  You will be randomly assigned either the Critical Thinking or Essay Writing test.  Once you have completed one of the test, you may take the other test and receive an additional gift certificate.

What are the tests like?
Critical Thinking – 32 item multiple-choice test with 4 reading passages.  Each passage presents one or more arguments which you will be asked to analyze.

Writing – Consists of two essays (20 minutes each).   You will be asked to formulate an opinion about an issue and write an essay to support your opinion. 

Does this affect your UI academic record?
Scores from these tests have no impact on your UI academic record. 

Do I have to sign-up and when will the tests be administered?
No, you can drop in on one of the dates and times shown below:

Fri. Oct. 23rd      1:30, 2:30                                     IMU Room 351 (Michigan)
Tues. Oct. 27th   1:30, 2:30, 3:30                           IMU Room 341 (Purdue)
Wed. Oct. 28th   1:30, 2:30, 3:30                           IMU Room 341 (Purdue)

Questions? 

Ask your College Transition instructor or contact the Exam Service at exam-service@uiowa.edu

 Print this page so you know where and when to drop in.