Forensic Science Assessment Test (FSAT)
The FSAT is a general knowledge exam given to college students which has been found to perform like similar exams such as the GRE, MCAT and ACS.
In 2006, a Test Committee was formed by FEPAC, ABC, ASCLD, COFSE and NIJ to develop a test. The test was piloted in 2007 at multiple colleges: WVU, VCU, Ohio U, Marshall, EKU, Metro St. at Denver, Cedar Crest, and Arcadia. The official exam was rolled out in 2008.
The former ABC General Knowledge Exam was the starting point for the test which was developed for students in their last semester of an academic Forensic Science graduate or undergraduate program. Results from this test can be used by students to show prospective employers their level of forensic science knowledge. Additionally, students may wish to use the test to compare their knowledge to other individuals in their peer group. Academic programs can also use the results of the examination as a measure of program assessment.
Students will receive their scores directly from the ABC. If the student signs a waiver releasing their scores to their Program Director and returns the waiver to the ABC, their Program Director will receive the student's results as well. Either way, the Program Director will receive a summation of their students' scores and the institution's rank compared to other institutions participating in that year's examination. Scores will be available in June and January of each year.
The test consists of 220 multiple-choice questions of which all 220 will be scored. Three hours are allowed to finish the test. Questions cover all disciplines in a crime laboratory plus the areas of law, ethics, safety and photography. The areas such as Questioned Documents and Firearms/Toolmarks will be scored independently as a percentage and a rank across all other scores for the semester, as well as part of the total score. This in not a pass/fail test. A numerical score out of a possible 220 points will be provided to the student.
The FSAT is given at each participating academic institution and administered by the program director or another faculty member.
For more information on the FSAT, download this informational PowerPoint presentation.