Accuplacer

COVID-19 Impacts & Accuplacer Testing

Due to the campus being closed through the spring semester, Accuplacer Testing has been suspended for the time being. Students with certain SAT, ACT, AP, GED scores, or prior college-level coursework may be exempt from taking the assessment test. Please review “Text Exemptions” below.

Assessment Testing

Assessment testing ensures that students have adequate preparation for college-level courses. The results are used to guide students into appropriate classes at MxCC based on their current skill set. Students must have already applied to MxCC before taking the test, and tests must be taken prior to registering for classes.

Students with certain SAT, ACT, AP, GED scores, or prior college-level coursework may be exempt from taking the assessment test. Please review “Text Exemptions” below.

About the Accuplacer Assessment Test

The Accuplacer Assessment Test is a computerized test that assesses a student’s mathematics and English (reading and writing) skills. There is no time limit for taking the Accuplacer test. The entire test (both the math and English portions) typically takes between two to three hours to complete. Students can schedule to take both sections on the same day or on separate days.

Your score helps you and your advisor determine which courses are most appropriate for your current level of knowledge and skills. From the report, you and your advisor can discuss strengths and needs to determine a plan of appropriate coursework and options for improving your skill set for future learning.

If you need accommodations for testing, please contact Hilary Phelps, Disability Support Specialist, at 860-343-5879 PRIOR to scheduling to your test. No accommodations will be made without prior information and consultation with the Disability Support Specialist.

Studying for Accuplacer

Students should review sample questions and study for the assessment test. The test is only able to appropriate place students based on their skills if the student is performing to the best of their ability.

Review our list of Study Links prior to taking the assessment test. Accuplacer supplies both sample review questions and a free, study materials app through their website. We have also gathered additional mathematics study resources.

The assessment is not a pass or fail test; test results are used for proper course placement. The better you score, the more likely you are to place into college-level courses. By taking the time to fine-tune your math and English skills, you could end up saving a good deal of time and money by placing into credited courses. Your scores determine your placement, and there are no “re-tests.”

The Day of the Test

Students are encourages to study before the test, get a good night’s rest, and arrive early to the test. If you are not feeling well or cannot make it to the test, please cancel your appointment.

Please remember:

To bring a valid, photo ID with you to the test.
- Valid IDs include: driver’s license, state or federal ID card, military, ID, school ID card, passport, tribal ID, naturalization card, or certificate of citizenship
Calculators are not allowed on the test. The test will provide an in-system calculator when needed for certain questions.
Food and drinks are not allowed in the testing room.
All electronic devices such as cell phones, smart watches, calculators, personal computers and tablets, etc. will be collected prior to the start of the test.

Students will receive a placement report immediately after completing the Accuplacer Assessment Test. Once students complete the test, they should schedule an appointment or attend an Open Registration event to meet with an academic advisor to discuss courses and their future plan of study at MxCC.

Scheduling the Accuplacer Assessment Test

Students must first be admitted to MxCC and have a Banner ID Number in order to schedule a test appointment.

To schedule a new test appointment or cancel an existing appointment, click the appropriate button below.

Make an Appointment in Middletown

Make an Appointment in Meriden

Cancel an Appointment

Students will need to show a photo ID such as a driver’s license or student ID card both before and after the test. Please arrive at least 10 minutes early to the test; you will not be allowed in after the start time. Please review your appointment confirmation email for the location of the placement test.

Test Exemptions

Students may be exempt from taking one or both sections of the Accuplacer Assessment Test based on SAT, ACT, GED, AP scores and/or college-level transfer credit. SAT and ACT scores must have been taken in the last four years. Please review the SAT Scores Guideline for additional information about English and math course placement.

Students must submit official copies of the score reports and/or transcripts to the Admissions Office in order to be exempt from taking the Accuplacer test.

Exemptions Criteria

	SAT	ACT	GED	AP Test	Transfer Credit
English	Reading Subscore of 24.5 or higher	Reading score of 20 or higher OR English & Reading Combined score of 47 or higher	Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) with a score of 165 or higher	3 or better on AP Language & Composition or AP Literature & Composition	College-level transfer credit approved by the Admissions Office
Math	Math score of 490 or higher	Math score of 17 or higher	Mathematical Reasoning (MR) with a score of 165 or higher	3 or better on AP Calculus, or AP Statistics *Please see an advisor to determine if additional math courses are needed for your desired program	College-level transfer credit approved by the Admissions Office

SAT Scores Guidelines

English	24.5-26.5 for ENG-101E	27 or higher for ENG-101
Math	490-530 for MAT-137E	540-570 for MAT-137	580 or higher for: MAT-146, MAT-167, or MAT-173

Students with SAT math scores of 580 or higher or ACT math scores of 22 or higher are encouraged to take the math portion of Accuplacer as they may place into a higher level math course.

Accuplacer FAQ

What is Accuplacer?

The College Board’s Accuplacer is a placement test. Placement tests are used to assess your level of skill and readiness for a certain educational path. At Middlesex, Accuplacer is used as a part of the admissions process to determine your level of readiness for college-level courses. The College uses Accuplacer subtests in reading, sentence skills, and math. The test has the following characteristics:

Computer based (the whole test is on a computer)
Multiple-choice (choices "a" through "d")
Un-timed (students can take as long as they wish)
Computer Adaptive (the computer automatically determines which questions are presented to you based on your responses to prior questions. This technique automatically generates just the right questions to ask you without being too easy or too difficult for your skill level. The greater your demonstrated skill level, the more challenging the questions presented to you will be.)

How does Accuplacer work?

How long does the test take?

What order do the test sections come in?

Students will begin by answering background questions. Next, students will take the English portion of the test which is made up of two parts: Reading Comprehension and Sentence Skills. After completing the English section(s), ALL students will begin the Elementary Algebra test. Depending on their score, students will either be branched towards Arithmetic or College Level Math.

Reading Comprehension 20 questions
Sentence Skills 20 questions
Elementary Algebra 12 questions

Your performance on the Elementary Algebra test may branch you into one of the two following tests:

Arithmetic 17 questions
College-Level Math 20 questions

When do I get my scores?

Your scores are provided as soon as you complete the test. Accuplacer is graded on a scale of 20-120. A student does not “pass” or “fail” the test. Because Middlesex offers courses geared to a wide range of skills, Accuplacer determines which courses you should begin your studies with. Keep in mind, however, that you may be required to take developmental/non-credit courses to help prepare you for college-level courses. Taking developmental courses, if necessary, is the best way to ensure your success of attaining your educational goals.

What should I expect on test day?

Bring your Banner ID number or a photo ID so we can look up your Banner ID number.
Optional: You may bring your own pencil and scrap paper, but pencils and scratch paper will be provided.
When you arrive for your testing appointment, you will be asked to complete an “Advising Profile” that you will bring with you when you meet with an advisor at open registration.
Bring a calculator. If you bring a cell phone, you need to silence it.
You will be asked to read and certify that you understand the following statement before your test:

"Even though you cannot pass--or fail--this placement test, we encourage you to do your best. In nearly all cases, re-testing is not allowed, so your results from today’s test will determine the classes you can begin with at Middlesex Community College.

If you are not feeling well, or if you are pressed for time, or if there is any other reason that you may not be able to give your best effort today, please tell the Proctor immediately. We can help you schedule for another time.

The test is un-timed, so please do not rush. Your course placements are determined by these assessment results.

If you choose to move ahead now, you are agreeing to take the placement test seriously and to accept the results for placement purposes."

What happens after testing?

Are there modifications for students with disabilities?

Do you have any Test-Tips?

Get enough sleep the night before the test.
Plan to arrive on time. Give yourself enough time to locate the College Learning Center (in Chapman Hall Room 711).
To avoid experiencing test anxiety, approach the test with a positive attitude.
Negative self-talk can ruin your ability to do well on a test.
Prior to entering the Testing Center, locate the bathroom and/ or break areas that can be utilized during testing.
Listen carefully to all pre-test instructors prior to starting your test.
Carefully read all test questions and instructions presented.
Ask questions if you do not understand what is required.
Deal with test anxiety by preparing in advance, taking your time, and pacing yourself throughout the assessment.
During testing, read the entire question and all choices before attempting to answer.
ACCUPLACER is a multiple choice test. For multiple choice questions, eliminate choices that you know are incorrect ﬁrst. Then attempt to ﬁnd and choose the correct answer.
If you are unsure of the answer, make an educated guess.
Usually your ﬁrst choice of the answer is the right one. Don't second guess yourself.
Try not to be distracted by other students who finish before you. Just keep taking your time to move through the test.

Should I study for Accuplacer?

You should review prior to the test. It is unlikely that you will be able to teach yourself loads of new material before the test; however, familiarity with the types of questions asked and some self-review could go a long way. Remember, your scores determine your course placement and there are no "re-tests."

Think of Accuplacer as a “snapshot” of your present skills. However, you may want to refresh those skills you have already acquired but which you may not have used in a while. For example, when was the last time you added fractions? This may be a skill you have already learned but that has become rusty due to non-use. With a little study you can refresh these skills. In summary, extensive study for Accuplacer is not recommended, but refreshing skills you have already learned should improve your scores.

What kinds of questions are on Accuplacer?

Why don't you allow re-tests?

The Accuplacer is supposed to serve as a snapshot of your basic math, reading, and grammar skills. It is used to place you into the most appropriate courses for your skill level. Testing multiple times would, perhaps, increase your ability to take a test--it would not increase the core skills that you will need to succeed in college. Finally, both the test itself and the proctor cost money, so we can not allow students to just keep taking it until they earn scores that they are satisfied with. Unlike the SAT and ACT, which you can take as many times as you are willing to pay, we do not charge you to take our test.

That is why students need to take the Accuplacer seriously and do any/all review prior to taking the test.

Are there any options besides re-testing?

Yes. If a student's scores are only a few points shy of ENG 101 or of the next math class, the student can request a challenge assessment. For English, the student will have to make an appointment to come back and write a timed essay based on a provided reading. The essay will be graded by faculty in the English department and will determine whether or not the student will be eligible for ENG 101. For math, the student will need to make an appointment to see the Academic Division Director. After speaking with the student, she will determine whether or not the student can take a written math exam to gauge his/her eligibility for a higher course.

Of course, students can take the SAT or ACT as many times as they would like, and high enough scores on those tests could earn exemption from the Accuplacer.