Academic Enhancement Center
A student-centered collaborative learning community. The Center, comprised of professional and peer tutors, helps students develop the confidence and skills necessary for academic success and independence at the college level.
Center of support, enhancement and enrichment!
Contact Information
Main Office
718-489-5226
Room 3002
aec@sfc.edu
Open Monday - Friday from 8am to 6pm
Skills Assessment
Who is invited to take the Skills Assessment?
All accepted students (freshmen and transfer students) who have committed to SFC are invited to take the skills assessment. Once you commit to St. Francis College you will receive communication about taking the skills assessment. It is important that you review the prep questions and that you start the exam at a time when you are ready. You must complete the exam in 1 sitting and the sections are timed.
Where do I take the Skills Assessment?
The assessment is offered FULLY online and you will take it from the comfort of your home!
When should I take the placement exam?
It is wise to take the Skills Assessment as soon as you feel academically prepared but also as soon as possible. We recommend taking the exam within a week of receiving communication about the exam.
You will not be able to schedule and complete academic advisement until you take the exam. Postponing the exam will also postpone class registration, which can impact your schedule.
What is on the Skills Assessment?
The exam starts with a Welcome Section and a Code of Conduct section followed by a Writing and a Math section. You have 45 minutes to complete the Writing section and 30 minutes for the Math section.
It is important that you start the assessment when you have time to complete everything since the assessment must be completed in one sitting
What is the purpose of taking the Skills Assessment?
The scores from the Skills Assessment will provide your Center for Student Success advisor an indication of your abilities so that they can guide you appropriately. The exam is not pass/fail but your scores will help your academic advisor determine the appropriate placement in your college courses and whether you are eligible for the Freshman Project Access program or other support programs offered by the Academic Enhancement Center.
How do I prepare for the placement exam?
You can review the following practice exam questions:
- Sample Math Skills Assessment Questions
- Sample Math Skills Assessment Questions With Answers
- Sample Writing Skills Assessment Question
The Math section is 30 questions that tests your algebra skills.
The Writing section is a persuasive essay where you are expected to state and explain your position. Your essay should include a clear introduction, a thesis statement, at least 3 supporting arguments, organized paragraphs with a clearly identifiable topic sentence, examples and supporting evidence and a strong conclusion.
Make sure that the essay reflects your best attempt at grammar usage, vocabulary, and critical thinking and be at least 300 words.
How is the Skills Assessment scored?
The exam is not pass/fail. The Writing section is scored out of 28 and the Math section is scored out of 30. When you meet with your Center for Student Success advisor you will learn your score and where you placed for Writing and Math.
Can you retake the Skills Assessment if you are unhappy with your score?
Unfortunately, no. So, prepare and take the assessment when you feel confident, ready and have the time to concentrate.
What should I do if I need testing accommodations?
The placement exam is a timed exam. If in high school or at another institution you received extended time or other accommodations on exams, it is important that you contact Ms. Caitlin McGuire, Assistant Director of the Office of Accessibility & Accommodations (OAA) at CMcGuire@sfc.edu prior to starting and taking the exam. OAA and AEC will work together to assist you with the requested accommodation(s). For more information please visit OAA’s web page
Does a Transfer student need to take the Skills Assessment?
Yes, prior to starting SFC all incoming students are required to take the Skills Assessment exam in Writing and Math. Even if you are transferring in a Math and/or Writing class you still need to take the assessment. The exam scores will help your advisor build a successful course schedule for you.
If you do not have the appropriate transfer credit for a Math and/or Writing course equivalent to our required curriculum here at St. Francis College, then the exam will be used for course placement into a Math and/or Writing course.
Tips for doing your best when you take the Skills Assessment:
- Start the assessment in an environment that is conducive to test taking (quiet room, no distractions, good lighting). You know the setting that works best for you.
- Take the assessment on a computer or laptop. Working off your phone will be very difficult. Make sure your internet connection is dependable too!
- Have a calculator, pencil, and scrap paper already for the Math section. You never know if it is needed and you do not want to waste time getting the items.
Any questions or concerns about the exam or connected to taking the exam online please email the Academic Enhancement Center at aec@sfc.edu
Academic Support
Appointments available Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm.
You can schedule a one on one appointment or sit in on a group session offered on campus and online.
Appointments scheduled though Navigate.
- Looking to create an academic success plan that tackles the semester assignments, schedules in study time but also allows you to hang out with friends at SFC’s great events? Come into AEC when the semester begins
- Missed class because you got sick, had to take care of a family member, or take on extra work hours? Stop in for a session to go over the chapter and assignments.
- Want an extra pair of eyes to read over a writing assignment, go over the difference between APA and MLA or review the rules of citing work? Make an appointment with a writing tutor.
- Are you retaking a class you withdrew from or failed? Let us have better results this semester by coming to AEC for weekly or bi-weekly sessions.
- Is a chapter just not making sense to you? Schedule a session with an AEC tutor. Do not wait for the test.
- Need a quiet place to study or use a computer? AEC can be that place. Bring your coffee and a snack and sit at one of our tables. We even have computers and laptop computers that students can use too.
- We can help on many more situations too!
Project Access
The transition from high school to college is a challenging time for many students. Increased workloads, higher academic standards and complex coursework are just some of the issues first-year students face. St. Francis recognizes these unique challenges and offers a variety of services to help every student become a successful part of our campus community.
Project Access is a multi-faceted First-Year Experience (FYE) program designed to nurture and support incoming students by providing them with opportunities to improve their critical writing, critical reading, and critical thinking skills in order to succeed in college and beyond.
- Mission
- Summer Bridge Program
- First-Semester Interest Group
- Faculty Mentorship
- Academic Support
- Advising Support
- Peer Support
- Program History
Mission
- Recognize potential in our students
- Acknowledge and celebrate students’ commitment and hard work
- Present opportunities to enhance students’ college experience
- Provide academic, advising, and mentoring support to help students identify and accomplish their goals
Throughout the year, Project Access Students are invited and strongly encouraged to participate in a number of events meant to enrich their college experience and foster connections between their professors and each other. Opportunities include:
- Local museum and historical site visits,
- Community service,
- and, Cultural experiences.
Additionally, students are invited to events during the college’s activity periods including:
- Welcome receptions and student/faculty mixers
- Mid-semester “check-ins”
- End of First Semester Ceremony
- and, End of Year Reception
The End of Year Reception celebrates Access students’ completion of their first year as college students. Students’ families are encouraged to attend and join in the fun!
Summer Bridge Program
Access students are encouraged to start their careers at SFC by attending a five-week summer program that provides them with skills to meet the challenges of becoming a college student.
Students who attend the summer program will benefit by:
- Learning in small class settings
- Working with dedicated faculty
- Growing in a supportive environment
- Creating meaningful relationships
- Participating in off-campus activities
First-Semester Interest Group
The cornerstone of the Project Access Program is the First-Semester Interest Group (FIG). FIG links a workshop (SFC 0040) to a course in the college’s general education program (history, philosophy, fine arts, etc.) taken in the student’s first semester. The purpose is to develop skills needed to meet the demands of college-level writing and analysis.
Access classes are capped at 15 students, allowing faculty the opportunity to provide each student with individualized time and attention.
SFC 0040 assists students in developing their ability to:
- Evaluate texts
- Analyze concepts
- Devise and implement successful learning strategies
- Develop their writing skills across their curriculum
The cost of books, course materials, and educational field trips are covered for all participants in the program. Eligibility for the course is based on student’s placement test scores. The workshop consists of three hours of weekly instruction. Students in the program are also equipped with individualized tutoring plans with designated tutors in mathematics, the sciences, and liberal arts.
Faculty Mentorship
Academic Support
Access students are strongly encouraged to attend weekly tutoring sessions in the college’s Academic Enhancement Center during their first semester. By establishing this vital link between students and resources outside the classroom students are able to raise their confidence level as well as results.
Advising Support
Peer Support
Project Access maintains a mentoring program made up of peer tutors from the Academic Enhancement Center as well as high-achieving sophomores and juniors from previous Project Access classes. Having a fellow student mentor first-year students provides a helpful introduction to many aspects of college life.
Program History
For almost 15 year. Project Access has proven successful in helping more than 1,000 SFC students; providing them with the skills and support to:
- Achieve and maintain strong GPAs
- Choose and declare majors
- Succeed and graduate from SFC
- Create solid career plans following graduation
If you have any questions regarding the Project Access Program, please contact Justine Butler, Director of Project Access and the Academic Enhancement Center, at 718.489.5274 or stop by the Center in Room 3002.
Tutoring
The goals of the Academic Enhancement Center are to provide tutoring and enhance academic skills.
The Center provides both peer and professional tutors who assist students in all content areas. The Center's professional staff and peer tutors meet with students individually and in small groups. Students are encouraged to arrange an appointment or simply drop-in.
The Center is open Monday to Friday from 9:00am - 6:00pm. To make an appointment, please call our front desk at 718.489.5226.
Computer Resources
The Academic Enhancement Center has 8 work stations where students can access the library’s digital resources and databases while completing assignments.
There are also 12 laptops that can be loaned out.
The Academic Enhancement Center, in collaboration with the College’s Disability Services office, provides a variety of assistive technologies for students such as:
- Zoom Text screen and keyboard magnifier.
- Dragon Naturally Speaking speech-to-text writing program.
- Plustek text-to-speech reader.
- Livescribe pens/notebooks and netbooks, which are available for student use.
Workshops
Each semester, the AEC conducts workshops on reading and writing designed to help students improve their skills. These workshops reinforce grammar, general essay writing, and research skills.
The AEC also collaborates with the Office of Freshman Studies to provide Removing Obstacles to Success (ROS) workshops. ROS Workshops include but are not limited to:
- Organization: How to prepare for the start of a semester.
- Study Strategies: Develop new study habits to retain information and improve performance.
- Identifying Strengths: Understand your best qualities and how they can help you achieve success.
- Time Management: Tips to stay productive and limit distractions.
- Coping With Stress: Balancing school, work and other stressors.
- Academic and Career Choices: Choosing a major that suits you.
The Office of Freshman Studies also offers Academic and Career Success Online workshops on topics such as time management, study strategies, and career exploration. These workshops are available 24/7 for FREE to all SFC students.
The workshops are sponsored by StudentLingo which provides interactive on-demand workshops, action plans, and valuable resources focused on helping students achieve their academic, personal, and career goals.
View workshops at www.studentlingo.comsfcsupport
For questions on workshops, please speak with an advisor in the Office of Freshman Studies.
Placement Testing
All first-year students must take the college's placement exams in writing and mathematics. Transfer students who have not received transfer credit for writing and mathematics are also required to take these exams. Results of the exams are used to place students in appropriate writing and math courses.