ACCUPLACER® Test
This overview includes information to help you prepare for ACCUPLACER® placement tests. You’ll find details about test format, subject areas, registration, scoring, and study resources.
Test Type
College placement test suite
Format
Computer-adaptive multiple-choice tests, plus the WritePlacer® essay if required
Score Range
200 to 300 for multiple-choice placement tests
Placement Rules
Set by each school or program
Exam Background and Purpose
ACCUPLACER® is a suite of placement tests used by colleges, universities, and workforce training programs to help determine a student’s readiness for college-level coursework. Schools may use ACCUPLACER scores along with other information, such as GPA or prior coursework, to place students into appropriate classes.
ACCUPLACER Test Overview
Test Format
ACCUPLACER tests are computer-adaptive. This means the questions you see can change based on your answers. Most ACCUPLACER tests use a multiple-choice format, while WritePlacer® is an essay test.
Subject Areas
ACCUPLACER placement tests may include:
ACCUPLACER Subject Areas
Reading
Measures your ability to understand passages, identify meanings of words and phrases, and interpret information from single and paired texts.
Writing
Measures your ability to revise and edit multiparagraph text for organization, development, sentence structure, usage, and punctuation.
Arithmetic
Measures skills with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, comparisons, and equivalent values.
Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics
Measures skills in rational numbers, ratios, algebraic expressions, equations, graphs, probability, statistics, and geometry.
Advanced Algebra and Functions
Measures skills in algebra, functions, factoring, quadratics, rational and radical equations, exponential and logarithmic equations, trigonometry, and related geometry concepts.
WritePlacer® Essay
May be used by some schools to evaluate writing ability through an essay response.
Costs and Payment Options
The price of ACCUPLACER differs by institution or testing facility. Some institutions include testing in their admissions or placement process at no additional cost, while others charge a testing fee. Contact your prospective testing site for current pricing and payment information.
Registration, Times, and Locations
Registration procedures vary by institution. Some students take ACCUPLACER through their high school, while others take it through the college, university, or training program they plan to attend. Contact your school or testing center for scheduling instructions, testing location details, and identification requirements.
Test Scores
ACCUPLACER multiple-choice tests are scored on a scale from 200 to 300. There is no universal passing score. Each school sets its own placement rules and decides how ACCUPLACER scores are used for course placement.
How Can I Prepare for the ACCUPLACER Test?
Preparing for ACCUPLACER is easier when you know which placement tests your school requires. A study guide can help you review key skills, flashcards can reinforce important concepts, and practice tests can help you become familiar with the question types and format. Below, you’ll find ACCUPLACER prep resources designed to help you study efficiently and build confidence before test day.
ACCUPLACER Study Checklist
- Ask your school which ACCUPLACER tests you need to take.
- Review reading, writing, and math skills based on your required tests.
- Practice computer-adaptive multiple-choice questions.
- Review essay organization and development if WritePlacer® is required.
- Use practice questions to identify weak areas.
- Review missed questions carefully.
- Use study guides, flashcards, and course lessons to stay organized.
ACCUPLACER Study Resources
Top Study Guides
Best Online Course
High-Quality Flashcards
ACCUPLACER® and WritePlacer® are registered trademarks of College Board. College Board is not involved with or affiliated with Mometrix Media LLC, nor does College Board endorse or sponsor any of the products or services offered by Mometrix Media LLC.