The best place to study for the ACCUPLACER Test.

Any cost associated with taking the ACCUPLACER test will be determined by the administering institution. Some colleges include the fee in registration costs, but there may be an extra charge for it, usually ranging from about $15 to $50. For the most up-to-date and accurate information, it is best to check with your institution.

Again, your institution may have different, or additional, requirements, but most sources indicate that you should know your Social Security number and bring a government photo ID with you. Also, technical devices such as calculators are usually not permitted, while pencils and scratch paper are usually provided.

ACCUPLACER test scoring uses “cut scores.” This means that you need to score a certain level to be admitted to credit-bearing college courses in that subject, without having to take a remediation class first. Students scoring below the “cut score” for a test are directed toward remediation classes in the tested subject. These classes do not offer college credit and students must complete them before enrolling in college classes in the subject.

Many of today’s better-paying job opportunities require a college degree because employers count on workers with a wide and varied background of studies, as well as expertise in a particular field. Your best college preparation happens when you study at an appropriate level and the ACCUPLACER can help ensure that is the case. This way, your path to a higher-paying job can be enhanced by using college time appropriately.

The ACCUPLACER is taken at the recommendation or requirement of an institution of higher learning (college, technical school, etc.), so you will be informed if you need to take it. Some colleges accept a certain score on other tests (SAT, ACT, etc.) as a replacement for certain sections of the ACCUPLACER. In other words, you can “test out” of all or parts of it.

The ACCUPLACER test is used to determine your readiness for study beyond high school. It evaluates your competency in three subject areas: Reading, Math, and Writing. College counselors and instructors can use your scores on the test, along with your other academic records, to ensure that you are enrolled in classes that are appropriate for your learning level. If there are one or more areas in which you have difficulty, these professionals can steer you toward sources of support, such as classes to strengthen your skills in those areas. In other words, the ACCUPLACER test is not so much a test of what you know now, but a test of what you are ready to learn. You cannot fail the test, as its purpose is to provide the best possible learning plan for you, so that you will be successful in future studies.

While the ACCUPLACER test does not directly contribute to earning a Bachelor’s degree, it is certainly a stepping stone to earning one. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has stated that the annual income for those holding a Bachelor’s degree is 63% higher than those who have only earned their high school diploma.

The test is normally administered at the institution you will be attending, with some colleges even offering satellite testing centers in other locations. If you will be attending college far away, you may be able to take it at a testing center closer to home before you leave for school. An appointment is required to take the test, so make sure to contact your college level advisor to most accurately determine where and when you may take the ACCUPLACER.

Though most sources indicate that you should allow yourself 2 hours to take all parts of the test, the time allotted to take the ACCUPLACER test depends on how many of the tests you need to take. Allow yourself plenty of time so you can give your best and take your time on each section.