Your Guide to Placement Tests

If you're to start college soon, it's likely you've heard one or more of the following terms: CPT, College Placement Test, or the Accuplacer Exam. They are all different names for placement tests.

While the "test" part alone is enough to be terrorizing, do NOT be alarmed! They are nothing to be scared of! This BBBandB will walk you through College Placement Tests and hopefully, leave you with some ammo to face them!

What Are College Placement Tests?

A placement test is an evaluation designed to determine a person's level of knowledge in a particular topic. For example, your score on a math placement test would demonstrate how advanced your skills are in math.

What Are Placement Tests Used For?

Higher ed Institutions like colleges and universities used placement tests to determine the level of academic knowledge entering students have in certain academic subjects in order to match them with adequate courses .

What Subjects Are Typically on Placement Tests?

Placement Tests usually assess for skills in math, reading and english, similarly to SATs.

When Should I Take My College Placement Tests?

It is recommended that entering students take their placement tests at least 2 (two) weeks before their New Student Advising & Course Registration Appointment.

What is a good Placement Test Score?

The good news is that you cannot fail a placement test! The whole point is to find out what level you're at. Keep in mind however, that a good placement test score (250 or more on a scale that ranges from 200 to 300) can save you both time and money. A general rule of thumb is that as a the higher level class you're placed in for a particular subject, the less classes you to take in that subject.

Not making your Accuplacer Cutoff Score doesn't mean you failed! It just means that you still have some catching up to do, so you may have to take extra classes in a subject to get you to speed.

How do I Prepare A College Placement Test?

Determine if you have to take one in the first place.

Some students are exempt of Accuplacer Exams. Find out if you're one of them by contacting your school's registration office or placement test center.

If you do have to take exams, be sure to register for them.

Find out the format of the Placement Exam(s).

The registration office can provide you with information about the format of the exam, its length, the material it will cover, the platform it will be administered on (ie ACCUPLACER or ASSET ) , how it will be graded , even what tools you're allowed to use or what the suggested study resources are. Don't be scared to ask as many questions as you have.

Practice, practice, practice

Take a couple of practice tests before you study so that you can identify your areas of strength and those in which you need improvement.

Create a study schedule to prepare for your placement test(s) and try you best to commit to it.

Use resources such as materials from high school and practice tests , which you can get at the registration office or online to prepare.

Prioritize studying in the weak areas you identified.

Get a good night's sleep and make sure to eat well before the exam. If you have a commute , plan it out to give yourself an extra 30 minutes.

Try not to worry too much and just do your best. Remember:

I believe in you!

https://getschooled.com/article/5573-studying-for-college-placement-tests/