If You’re Thinking Of Not Studying For The ACCUPLACER® Test, Read This First

If you’re considering college and find yourself needing to take the ACCUPLACER test, you’ve probably debated whether or not it’s worth studying for. After all, the test is untimed so you can take as long as you need to choose your answers, and it isn’t graded so you can’t technically pass or fail. But just because the stress of a letter grade isn’t on the line doesn’t mean you can blow off studying for the ACCUPLACER test completely. Keep reading to discover why taking practice tests and reading through study guides is worthwhile.

As you probably know, the ACCUPLACER test is administered to determine which college courses you should be placed in. The test measures your math, reading, and writing skills and adapts to your skill level as you progress.This means that as you answer questions correctly they will get progressively harder and as you answer questions incorrectly they will get progressively easier. Right now you might be thinking “Ok, I hate math, so if I do poorly on the math portion, the test will just keep getting easier and easier? That sounds kind of awesome.” And while the thought of an easy, no-fail math test does sound nice, you need to consider your end game.Your degree likely demands that you take and pass a certain level of mathematics, such as calculus or algebra. If you do poorly on the ACCUPLACER test, you will be placed in a more remedial class, meaning you will still have to work your way up to that harder class eventually. And THAT means it will take you longer to get your degree and cost you more to get it due to the extra classes you will need to take.

Of course, if you really do need the extra help, the test can be a great tool for placing you in a class that matches your skill level. But if a quick review of concepts and taking a few practice tests could bring you back up to speed in certain subject, isn’t studying worth a try? You don’t need to spend months and months preparing for the ACCUPLACER test, but you should spend some time preparing for it.

Don’t know where to start? Check out the practice tests and study guides at Union Test Prep. Who knows, the time you spend studying could shorten the time it takes to get your degree and add few extra hundred dollars to your bank account!