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The Accuplacer test is given online over the
internet, and it is a computer-adaptive test. This means that the questions
presented to the test-taker are dependent on the test-taker’s previous answers
as well as the difficulty level of previous questions. The Accuplacer test
consists of multiple choice questions that test knowledge of reading
comprehension, sentence skills, arithmetic, elementary algebra, and college
level mathematics. The reading comprehension portion consists of 20 test
questions, and consists of questions relating to reading passages and sentence
relationships. The sentence skills portion of the test also consists of 20 test
questions, and tests knowledge of sentence correction and construction shifts.
The arithmetic portion of the test consists of 17 test items, and tests
knowledge of operations with whole numbers and fractions, operations with
decimals and percents, and applications and problem solving. The elementary
algebra portion of the test consists of 12 test questions and tests knowledge of
operations with integers and rational numbers, operations with algebraic
expressions using the evaluation of simple formulas and expressions, the adding
and subtracting of polynomials and monomials, and the solution of inequalities,
equations, and word problems. The college level mathematics section of the test
contains 20 test items, and tests knowledge of algebraic operations, solutions
of equations and inequalities, coordinate geometry, applications and other
algebra topics, and functions and trigonometry. There also may be an essay
question, which can either be electronic or done with paper and pencil. The
essay tests the ability to write effectively, and looks specifically at five
areas: focus, organization, development and support, sentence structure, and
mechanical convention. Further details about the test contents of both the
multiple choice and essay portions of the Accuplacer test can be found online on
the website for the College Board. The multiple choice portion of the test has
no time limit, and the essay portion may have a time limit or no time limit,
depending on the school’s needs and choices.
Scoring of the Accuplacer test is immediate
upon completion of the test. The test-taker is given a score, and the score is
also made available to the educational institution. There is no pass or fail on
the Accuplacer test. Instead, the test is computer-adaptive, to test what a
test-taker knows so they are placed into the appropriate college courses. The
score on the Accuplacer test is determined by number of questions that are
answered correctly, as well as the difficulty level of the questions answered.
The best way to prepare for the Accuplacer
test is to review materials related to reading, grammar, arithmetic, algebra,
and trigonometry. This review is helpful for the multiple choice portion of the
Accuplacer test. In addition, sample questions can be found online on the
College Board’s website. Also, familiarization with the content and structure of
the Accuplacer test is useful. During the multiple choice portion of the test
itself, it is important to take as much time as is needed. The multiple choice
portion of the test has no time limit, so taking as much time as needed is
allowed. All questions must be answered, and no questions can be revisited
during the exam, so making sure that the best answer choice is selected the
first time is important. If the correct answer to a particular question is not
known, making a best guess choice is advised.
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