In response to a statewide call for a review of general education in Virginia community colleges, the Student Assessment Committee (SAC) was formed at John Tyler Community College (Virginia) to evaluate student outcomes for the college's general education component. After concluding that standardized tests did not provide an adequate measure, the SAC decided to focus on the evaluation of students' critical thinking skills as a measure of college success. A flow chart for interviewing students to determine their critical thinking capabilities was developed based on the following elements of critical thought: (1) identifying the problem; (2) stating the problem; (3) interpreting facts which must be known to solve the problem; (4) posing a possible answer; (5) developing an applicable solution from the answer; and (6) applying the solution to similar problems. Interviews were conducted with 47 of 100 associate degree candidates for graduation in 1993 which identified students by program and noted differences in critical thinking levels. The flow chart strengths include the tangible character of the model, which allows interviewers to physically see relationships of thought, while weaknesses include the possibility that the structure may be difficult to change if evidence suggests it is no longer appropriate. The SAC plans to further clarify the model and expand interviewing in the future. Flow charts and SAC members are included. (BCY)