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The Department Of Transportation (DOT) has issued new rules for drug and alcohol testing, for all the transportation employers and safety-sensitive transportation employees. This new regulation was designed to prevent accidents and property damage that are caused by the misuse of drug and alcohol by the drivers. DOT has provided certain rules on how to conduct these tests, what is the process of testing and who to conduct these tests. These rules cover the employees of State and Local government who are required to have a Commercial driving License (CDL).

Education and Training of Drug Testing

Every company has to provide the educational materials for their drivers, which explains the requirements and policies for testing drug and alcohol ingestion regulations. According to the Sec.382.601 (b), the educational materials should include the following discussions.

· Personal identity of the drivers designated by the employer to answer the questions regarding the material.

· Requirements of the drivers, subject to the misuse of alcohol and controlled substance requirements.

· Explanation of safety-sensitive function to understand the period of workday that is required for the drivers to be in compliance.

· Specific information regarding the conduct of the driver that is prohibited.

· The circumstances under which the driver will be tested for drug, alcohol or any other substances.

· The test procedure of DOT conducted for the presence of drug or alcohol substances.

· The list of requirements for submitting the alcohol or drug tests by the driver.

· Explanation of what constitutes the refusal to submit the drug or alcohol testing.

· The consequences for drivers found to be dishonored the rules of prohibition of alcohol or other substances. This includes, immediate removal of driver safety-sensitive functions.

· The information about the affects of drugs, alcohol, or any such substances on the health and work of the people.

Drugs That DOT Test

As specified by the DOT, the companies should test for alcohol and the following five drugs:

· Marijuana, Cocaine, Opiates, Amphetamines and Phencyclidine (PCP).

Different Tests That DOT Require

According to the rules of DOT, drivers have to perform the following drug and alcohol tests: Pre-Employment Testing, Reasonable Suspicion Testing, Post-Accident Testing and Random Testing.

Apart from these four tests, the “Return-to-duty” and “Follow-up tests” are linked to the employer’s consequences policy, which are to be performed under the DOT rule.

This information makes you aware about the DOT drug and alcohol tests and educational measures that every company provides for their employees.

About SAT

The SAT is an aptitude test. Like all aptitude tests, it must choose a medium in which to measure intellectual ability. The SAT has chosen Math and English. Most of the aspirants for undergraduate studies to US need to take it. NEW SAT takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes. It contains Critical Reading, Math and Writing Section. The NEW SAT is about 2400 marks, English section is for 1600 marks while Math section is 800 marks. The writing section is measured on a scale of (0 to 6 points). SAT is offered 6 times a year in India you can register for the exam online on www.collegeboard.com. The present fees for SAT is around $ 85 USD, You will select a test day, pay with an international credit card and complete the transaction entirely online. SAT scores are valid for a period of 5 years.

About SAT SUBJECT TEST

SAT subject test where formerly known as SAT II, subject tests are given to access your skills in specific areas subjects include Math, History, Physical Science, Literature and SAT Subject Tests are given to assess your skills in specific areas. Subjects include math, history, physical sciences, literature, and foreign languages. SAT Subject Tests are an hour long and consist entirely of multiple-choice questions.

The score is from 800 marks. It is taken as per direction of universities for the choice of programs mentioned.

About Graduate Record Exam

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is taken by students interested in pursuing their Masters program in US but renowned universities across the globe accept GRE scores. GRE is essentially a computer adaptive test which is about 2 hours and 30 minutes. It consists of Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing. The scoring pattern of GRE is on Verbal (800), Math (800) and Analytical Writing section is graded on a scale of (0 to 6 points). GRE is offered all year around you can register for GRE on www.gre.org. You need to pay $160 USD for registration. GRE scores are valid for a period of 5 years.

About GRE subject test:

The GRE Subject Tests are intended to measure your knowledge of specific subject matter. Subject Tests are available in eight disciplines: Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology; Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Literature in English; Mathematics; Physics; and Psychology. These tests are given in paper-and-pencil format. These tests are given separately from the GRE General Test and require additional fees. Check with the universities to which you are applying to determine whether any of these extra tests are required.

About GMAT:

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is taken by students interested in pursuing MBA program in the US. It is also accepted by major business schools world wide. It consists of 3 sections (Quantitative, Verbal, and Writing). It is a 4 hour computer-adaptive test (CAT). Scoring pattern is on a scale of 800. GMAT is offered all year around you can register for GMAT on www.mba.org . You need to pay $250 USD for registration. GMAT scores are valid for a period of 5 years.

Importance of SAT, GRE, GMAT:

As the admission process gets tougher every year. It is mandatory for

the students to prepare sincerely for the above exams. The preparation

time for these exams extends from three months to six months. On a

broad spectrum the ETS board the governing body for the exam evaluates

students on their knowledge in Math and English from grade eight to

degree level, but individual stress is given on basic writing skills

as far as Analytical writing is concerned.

Do’s and Don’t for Exam preparation.

The do’s

1. Be realistic in your expectations.

2. Do take the writing Analytical section seriously.

3. Take practice test with the sole aim of improving your endurance and timing.

4. Take mock test as far as possible it acts as a dress rehearsal.

5. Practice alone makes you perfect.

The Don’t

1. Don’t be too confident about your test taking abilities.

2. Don’t focus only on particular testing areas at the cost of other sections.

3. Don’t be obsessed about scores during practice.

4. Don’t burn the mid night oil without a proper back up plan.

America spends some of the highest amount of dollars per student yet we aren’t near the standards of other developed countries that invest less. In terms of education we have some of the lower end of scores in priomary and secondary schools, yet somehow have some of the highest testing and facilities at the university levels. What can we do to help public schools? Is it the money? Zoning? Vouchers? Teacher’s Unions? Maybe something else?

www.cnn.com Read more: www.palmettoscoop.com

Part of the Comcast Newsmakers series, Robert Caret, President of Towson University, is interviewd by Tony Hill regarding the relationship of the High School Assessments to college preparation.