Below are the most frequently asked questions by students about the HEighten test.  If you have additional questions, please email Testing Services at testingservices@umkc.edu .

 

Q1.       What is the HEIghten Exit Exam?

The ETS HEIghten Outcomes Assessment Exam assesses students’ achievement of the learning outcomes identified for the UMKC general education program. Students will be randomly assigned one of the five modules assessed by the HEIghten: Critical Thinking, Quantitative Literacy, Written Communication, Civic Competency & Engagement, and Intercultural Competency & Diversity. The HEIghten is administered by Territorium

 

Q2.       Why does UMKC require the HEIghten Exit Exam?

 The University of Missouri Board of Curators, the Missouri Department of Higher Education, Missouri statute 173.030.1(9)(e) RSMo, and the Higher Learning Commission require the university to assess the effectiveness of the general education program. With the exceptions noted below, all undergraduate degree‐seeking students must take a test of general education achievement prior to being granted a baccalaureate degree.

UMKC has selected the HEIghten Outcomes Assessment Exam as its general education exit exam. The HEIghten replaces the EPP and Major Field Exams.

 

Q3.       Do I have to take the HEIghten Exit Exam?

Students seeking an undergraduate degree at UMKC are required to take the HEIghten Outcomes Assessment Exam after the completion of 90 hours and prior to graduation. Students who fail to complete the exam prior to the end of their program will not be awarded their degree and will need to re-apply for graduation at a later semester.

There are three exceptions: 1) students who have previously earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university; 2) students who have taken and passed the MoGEA assessment (passing will be defined as eligible for admission to the UMKC School of Education Teacher Education program for the year you took the assessment); and 3) students in the RN to BSN program and the dental hygiene completion program who first entered the program prior to Fall 2019.

If you meet one of these exceptions, contact your academic advisor and testingservices@umkc.edu to ensure the exemption is noted in your student record.

Please note that transfer students are not generally exempt from the testing requirement. General education is built upon and refined throughout a student’s enrollment, which is why the exam is administered at the end of a student’s degree program at UMKC.

 

Q4.       When do I take the HEIghten Exit Exam?

Students who have earned at least 90 credit hours are eligible to take the HEIghten Exit Exam. Students meeting the eligibility criteria will have a hold placed on their Pathway account to let them know they are now eligible.

 

Q5.       How do I get the instructions to take the HEIghten Exit Exam?

The test is administered remotely, so you do not need to register or make an appointment. Send an email from your UMKC email address to testingservices@umkc.edu to request the instructions and access code to take the exam. Please include your student ID number and the semester in which you plan to graduate. The exam will take about 45 minutes to complete and must be taken in one sitting.

 

Q6.       What do I need to take the HEIghten Exit Exam?

You will need a computer connected to the internet and installed with Chrome.

 

Q7.       Can I get a copy of my HEIghten Exit Exam results?

Yes. You will be able to access your score report in your account dashboard with Territorium.

 

Q8.       Does my score on the HEIghten Exit Exam affect my graduation?

Aggregate scores are analyzed and used by UMKC to make decisions about program improvements. There is no minimum score required to fulfill the Exit Exam requirement. No individual scores are reported or included on your transcript. If you desire, you may include the results of the exam when you apply for internships or employment opportunities.

The Exit Exam requirement must be marked fulfilled in your degree audit prior to the awarding of your baccalaureate degree. Please allow 2 weeks for the requirement to be marked as fulfilled in your degree audit after you have completed the exam.

 

 

Q9.       What if I don’t take the HEIghten Exit Exam?

You do not need to take the HEIghten during the semester that you first become eligible. However, if you plan to graduate and have not completed the exam, your record will reflect that you did not receive your baccalaureate degree. You will need to re-apply for graduation at a later term after your exit exam requirement has been fulfilled.