- ACCUPLACER - Student Guide|
- Taking the test|
- Your Score
Providing your background information
You will be asked to enter some background information such as Social Security number, name and address. You will also be asked to confirm that you agree to follow the testing rules and conditions for the ACCUPLACER program.
Taking the Assessment
When you have agreed to the rules and conditions for the ACCUPLACER program by clicking on the "yes" button, you will be sent to the first page of the first test you are taking. This page provides the instructions for taking the test and a sample question. After you have read the directions and reviewed the sample questions, select the "Continue" button and take the actual test.
Test Format
ACCUPLACER OnLine presents one question at a time. Each page presents the question and several possible answer choices. The page may also include additional information that is needed to answer the question such as a reading passage, picture or table of information.
Choosing an Answer
To select an answer, use the mouse to move the arrow pointer to the circle button next to the answer you wish to choose and click on the button. The circle will then will be filled indicating that this is the answer you have chosen. Click on the next button to move on. A box will come up on the screen asking you to confirm your answer or giving you the opportunity to cancel and go back and choose a different answer. If you wish to confirm, simply click on OK, if you want to cancel and go back and choose a different answer click on cancel and select a new answer.
You can also use the keyboard to select an answer. Using the Tab button, highlight the answer you wish to select and press the Enter key. A box will come up on the screen asking you to confirm your answer or giving you the opportunity to cancel and go back to choose a different answer. If you wish to confirm, simply press enter, if you want to cancel and go back and choose another answer press the tab button once then press Enter.
Guessing
ACCUPLACER is an adaptive test. This means that the questions are chosen for you on the basis of your answers to previous questions. Because the test works this way, you must answer every question when it is first given. You can change your answer to a particular question before moving on to the next question, but you can not leave a question out or come back to it later to change your answer. Once you go on to the next question, you can not return to the question.
If you do not know the answer to a question, try to eliminate one or more or the choices. Then pick from the remaining choices.
At the end of the test
At the end of the test, you will either see a page indicating that you have completed all the testing or one indicating the test that you have just completed followed by the next test you will take.
Sentence Skills Test
This test measures your understanding of sentence structure --- how sentences are put together and what makes a sentence complete and clear.
Before you begin there will be two sample questions with the correct answers indicated. In some questions you will be asked to select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. The first choice is the same as the original. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first one.
| Sample Question | ||||
| Ms. Rose planning to teach a course in biology next summer. | ||||
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The correct answer is plans. The sentence should be "Ms. Rose plans to teach a course in biology next summer."
In other questions you will be asked to rewrite a sentence in your head. You will be told how to begin your new sentence. Your new sentence should be well written and should have essentially the same meaning as the sentence given you.
| Sample Question | ||||
| Being a female jockey, she was often interviewed. Rewrite, beginning with "She was often interviewed . . . | ||||
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The correct answer is because she was. The sentence should be "She was often interviewed because she was a female jockey."
Reading Comprehension Test
This test measures your ability to understand what you read.
Before you begin there will be two sample questions with the correct answers indicated.
Some questions will ask you to read the statement or passage and then choose the best answer to the question. Answer the question on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.
| Sample Question | ||||
| There are two types of pottery that I do. There is production pottery---mugs, tableware--- the kinds of things that
sell easily. These pay for my time to do the other work, which is more creative
and satisfies my needs as an artist. The author of the passage implies that . . . | ||||
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The correct answer is creativity and mass-production are incompatible.
The author of the passage implies that creativity and mass-production are incompatible.
In other questions, two underlined sentences are followed by a question or statement. Read the sentences, then choose the best answer to the question or the best completion of the statement.
| Sample Question | ||||
| The Midwest is experiencing its worst drought in fifteen years. Corn and soybean prices are expected to be very high this year. What does the second sentence do? | ||||
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Arithmetic Test
This test measures your ability to perform basic arithmetic operations and to solve problems that involve fundamental arithmetic concepts.
Before you begin there will be a sample question with the correct answer indicated.
| Sample Question | ||||
| Solve the following problem. You may use the paper you have been given for scratchwork. | ||||
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Elementary Algebra Test
This test measures your ability to perform basic algebraic operations and to solve problems that involve elementary algebraic concepts.
Before you begin there will be a sample question with the correct answer indicated.
| Sample Question | ||||
| Solve the following problem. You may use the paper you have been given for scratchwork. | ||||
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College-Level Mathematics Test
This test measures your ability to solve problems that involve college-level mathematics concepts.
All figures in this test are drawn as accurately as possible, given the limits of the equipment being used.
Before you begin there will be a sample question with the correct answer indicated.
| Sample Question | |||||
| Solve the following problem. You may use the paper you have been given for scratchwork. If the 1st and 3rd terms of a geometric sequence are 3 and 27, | |||||
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Levels of English Proficiency (LOEP) Language Use
This test measures your skill in using correct grammar in English sentences.
There will be two different kinds of questions in this test. You will see a sample of each kind with the correct answer indicated.
| Sample Question | ||||
| The sentence below has a blank space. There are four words or phrases under the sentence. Choose the word
or phrase that makes a grammatically correct sentence.
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| Sample Question | |||||
| Two sentences will be followed by four possible answers. Choose the answer that best combines the two sentences. The answer must be a grammatically correct sentence. It must also express the same thought as the first two sentences. | |||||
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Levels of English Proficiency (LOEP) Reading Skills
This test measures your skill in reading English.
Read each passage, then answer the question. Pick the best answer from the choices below the question.
| Sample Question | ||||
| Read the passage, then choose the best answer to the question.
My cousin lived in the city from 1984 to 1989. When did my cousin live in the city? | ||||
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Levels of English Proficiency (LOEP) Sentence Meaning
This test measures how well you understand the meaning of sentences in English.
There will be two different kinds of questions in this test. You will see a sample of each kind with the correct answer indicated.
| Sample Question | ||||
| The sentence below has a blank space. Choose the word or phrase that makes the sentence meaningful and correct. That is why his friends say that he is a good __________. | ||||
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The correct answer is gardener. Mr. Swoboda is a good gardener.
| Sample Question | ||||
| One or two sentences will be followed by a question.
Choose the correct answer to the question. What did the teacher do? | ||||
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The correct answer is Asked Joe a question. The teacher asked Joe a question.