ACCUPLACER Placement Testing Student Guide

Monroe Community College - State University of New York

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ACCUPLACER Placement Testing

General Information about ACCUPLACER

Tips for Taking ACCUPLACER

Walk-in Testing Hours

Sample ACCUPLACER Questions

Review Packet

Links to other Helpful Resources

Request for off campus testing

Request for placement testing scores

Information on proctoring exams for other colleges/universities

General Information about ACCUPLACER

What is ACCUPLACER?

ACCUPLACER is an assessment which can help students identify their academic strengths and needs to assist in planning an appropriate schedule of coursework at Monroe Community College.

ACCUPLACER was developed, standardized, and validated by the College Board, a division of the Educational Testing Service (which also administers the SATs, GREs, and TOEFL tests). ACCUPLACER is used at more than 1,000 colleges nationwide, in an On-line format. MCC began using ACCUPLACER in November, 1993.

ACCUPLACER assesses students' skill levels in English and mathematics to help determine which courses they should start with at MCC -- where they have the greatest chance of success. Each student takes tests in Reading Comprehension, Sentence Skills, and Arithmetic; some students will also be required to take the Elementary Algebra test. After completing the ACCUPLACER test and receiving your scores, you will meet with an advisor to discuss your results and plan your next steps.

Who Takes the ACCUPLACER Test?

Placement testing will be required of all entering matriculated students, both full-time and part-time, unless they have taken the ACCUPLACER test within the past three years, have transfer credits in college-level English and math, have score of 500 or more on the SAT- verbal (English) and SAT-quantitive (math) test, High school graduates who score a minimum of 21 on the English and/or Math sections of the ACT may be exempt from the corresponding section(s) of the test or have had the test waived by the Admissions Office.

Non-matriculated students who are taking courses for personal enrichment or career development are not required to take the placement tests, but are strongly encouraged to do so to facilitate advisement and enhance their chances for success.

How does ACCUPLACER work?

ACCUPLACER is administered on a computer and is very easy to use, even for prospective students with little or no computer experience. A Test Administrator will always be present to answer questions or to assist first-time computer users.

The number of questions on each test ranges from 17 to 22. The questions will appear one at a time on the computer screen. The questions are multiple-choice and all you will need to do is use the space bar on the keyboard to select the desired answer. When you have completed the question and verified your answer, a new screen will appear with your next question.

Each ACCUPLACER test is designed using adaptive techniques. Meaning that the computer automatically determines which questions are presented based on responses to prior questions. This technique "zeroes-in" on just the right questions to ask you without being too easy or too difficult. Because the test is adaptive, students will only have to answer 17 to 22 questions in each section. All questions are multiple choice and answers are selected using easy "point and click" methods. The test is also un-timed so students are able to do their very best.

Should I Study for ACCUPLACER?

A student cannot "pass" or "fail" the placement tests. To ensure that test scores accurately represent their skill levels, students however, may wish to review basic concepts in reading, grammar, arithmetic, and algebra before taking ACCUPLACER, especially if they have been away from school for more than a year. Many students find that a GED or SAT review book (available at local bookstores and public libraries) is helpful in refreshing their basic skills.

MCC has developed a helpful review packet that can assist you in preparing to take the Accuplacer tests. The review packet contains a number of sample questions for each of the four subtests, as well as suggested resources for review of basic arithmetic and algebra concepts. To obtain a copy of the review packet, call the Admissions Office at (585)292-2200, or visit the Counseling and Advising Center at the Brighton campus or the Student Services Office at the Damon campus.

The Counseling Center offers this review packet in Adobe® Acrobat® (.pdf) format. In order to view and print this review packet, you must have the Adobe® Acrobat® Reader installed on your computer. The reader is free and can be downloaded from the Adobe® Web site.

Some Advantages of ACCUPLACER

ACCUPLACER, unlike many pencil and paper placement tests, is untimed. This helps to eliminate the pressure and test anxiety that many students often feel. An untimed test can also be beneficial for students with learning disabilities, who often need more time than usual for testing. Students with a documented disability who require other types of accommodations may schedule a special testing session.

Using a computer simplifies the placement testing process in many ways. ACCUPLACER testing takes less time, is less stressful, and is able to give students immediate feedback because they get to see their scores on the computer screen as soon as they finish the test.

How Are Test Scores Used in Placement?

The computer automatically determines a student's placement into English and math classes using criteria established by MCC faculty and staff. Course placement recommendations made on the basis of placement test scores serve as a beginning step in the advisement and placement process. Any available additional sources of information regarding a student's potential for success, such as high school and college records, are used in the final determination of course placements. Consultation with an advisor is always extremely important in determining placements.

Monroe Community College has developmental classes in English and math to help students who need to improve their basic reading, writing, or math skills before attempting higher-level coursework. A student who needs substantial remediation in reading or writing may be referred to basic adult education programs available in the community. Students who are not native speakers of English can be referred to MCC's English for Speakers of Other Languages program for special classes.

Tips for Taking ACCUPLACER

Relax! ACCUPLACER was designed to facilitate your success in college. Your score helps you and your advisor to determine which courses are most appropriate for your current level of knowledge and skills. Once your academic strengths and needs are identified, we can find the help you need to improve underdeveloped skills before they interfere with your learning.
You will be able to concentrate better on the test if you get plenty of rest and eat properly prior to the test. Plan on arriving a few minutes early so you can acquaint yourself with the environment and gather your thoughts before the test begins. If you wear glasses, remember to bring them!
Make sure you understand all administrative and test directions before you begin the Accuplacer. The testing administrators present will be able to address any of your questions or concerns.
Because this is an "adaptive test", questions are chosen for you on the basis of your answers to previous questions. You must answer every question when it is first given and there is no returning to previous questions.
If you do not know the answer to a question, try to logically eliminate one or more of the choices then pick one of the remaining choices.
You are not allowed to use dictionaries, calculators, notebooks, or textbooks of any kind on the test. Scratch paper for solving math problems will be provided by the test administrator. Any student who gives or receives help during the test, or uses notes or books of any kind will not be allowed to continue the test. Following your test period, no test materials or notes may be removed from the room.
Remember to bring your social security number and some form of picture I.D. with you to the testing session.
Good luck!!

Walk-in Testing Hours

For a recorded message with current Accuplacer testing dates and times, call 292-2290 for the Brighton Campus or for the Damon City Campus call 262-1619.

The Counseling and Advising Center offers these Dates and Times in Adobe® Acrobat® (.pdf) format. In order to view and print these Dates and Times, you must have the Adobe® Acrobat® Reader installed on your computer. The reader is free and can be downloaded from the Adobe® Web site. You can also contact the Admissions Office at 585-292-2200 for a printed copy of the current Dates and Times.

Now that you have a general idea of what the test covers, how about taking a look at some of the sample questions?

Print the complete answer key.