How Colleges Use Accuplacer Scores
Many community colleges in the area use the Accuplacer exam to determine which classes you are eligible to take. After you take the test an academic advisor at the college will discuss your scores and help you plan your studies. Your scores determine your academic placement in college classes. If your score is not high enough you will be referred to remedial learning courses at the college or in the community.
What is on the Assessment
The Accuplacer is made up of four parts:
• Sentence Skills measure your understanding of sentence structure (how sentences are put together).
• Reading Comprehension measures your ability to understand what you read. Topics include social sciences, natural and physical sciences, human relations, practical affairs, and the arts.
• Arithmetic measures your ability to perform basic arithmetic operations; whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, and to solve problems involving fundamental arithmetic concepts.
• Elementary Algebra measures your ability to perform basic algebraic operations, integers, and rational numbers, algebraic concepts solving equations, inequalities, and word problems.
Taking the Test
You take the testes using a a computer connected to the internet at the college. (Students at the River Valley Technical Center will take the exams as part of their programs.) You will use a keyboard or mouse to answer multiple choice questions. The Accuplacer is easy to follow, and a proctor will always be present should you have any problems. The assessments are un-timed and take approximately 30 to 45 minutes each. You are not allowed to use dictionaries, calculators, notebooks, or textbooks of any kind. Scratch paper will be provided to you by the proctor. The test is scored as soon as you finish it.
Preparing for the Accuplacer
Sample tests:
Using Learning Express to Prepare for Accuplacer Tests
2. On the right under Tools click on Learning Express
3. Sign in as a New User and create your own account.
The account ID is 10254. Pick your own password
Write down the Username and Password they give you.
To Prepare for the Accuplacer Arithmetic Test:
1. Go to the Middle School Math Skills Improvement section.
2. Then go to the Middle School Math Course Series. Work through:
Middle School Math Course 1: Number Concepts and
Middle School Math Course 2: Fractions and
Middle School Math Course 3: Decimals
3. You should now be ready to take the Arithmetic Accuplacer
To Prepare for the Accuplacer Algebra Test:
4. Go to the High School Math Skills Improvement section.
5. Then go to the Algebra Course Series. Work through:
Algebra Course 1: Algebra & Patterns and
Algebra Course 2: Methods with Algebraic Equations & Expressions
6. To practice taking a test like the Algebra Accuplacer using these skills take the High Schools Math Diagnostic 1
7. Go back to the Algebra Courses. Work through
Algebra Course 3: Patterns, Functions, & Systems of Equations.
8. To practice taking a test using these skills take the High School Math Diagnostic
9. You could now take the Algebra Accuplacer or:
10. For more practice click on High School Math Practice Exercises and do:
High School Math Practice: Algebra 1,
High School Math Practice: Algebra 2,
High School Math Practice: Algebra 3
To prepare for the Reading Comprehension Test
11. Go to the High School Reading Skills Improvement section.
12. Then go to the High School Reading Comprehension Course Series
Concentrate on:
High School Reading Course 2: Main Ideas & Supporting Details and
High School Reading Course 5: Making Conclusions
13. To practice taking a test like the Accuplacer Reading Comprehension Test do the High School Reading Practice Exercises 1 through 3
14. You should now take the Reading Comprehension Accuplacer.
To prepare for the Sentences Test:
15. Go to the High School Writing Skills Improvement section.
16. Then go to the High School Grammar Practice Exercises.
17. Do the High Schools Grammar Practice Exercises 1.
18 this will give you a score report with an analysis of your grammar strengths and weaknesses. Use this report to decide which courses i the Grammar Skills for Writing Course Series you should do.
19. Do the High Schools Grammar Practice Exercises 2.
20 You should now take the Sentences Accuplacer.
Another web site for math review:
For grammar/writing review:
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