1. ACCUPLACER Orientation
National Park College
The Testing Center
Room 217, Campus Center
Welcome to the Testing Center at National Park College!
This presentation will take a few minutes to help you understand a little more about the test you are preparing to take.

2. What is the ACCUPLACER?
ACCUPLACER is a computerized testing program from College Board, designed to find out your skill levels and place you into the best courses that can help you reach your academic goals.
Accuplacer is a computerized testing program from the College Board. The test is designed to find out your skill levels and allows us to place you into the best courses that can help you achieve your academic goals. We use the assessment to find out where you are right now it three subject areas. The results of this test will NOT keep you from coming to college. It will let us know if you need to brush up before taking college level classes.

3. Before I Test… Know Testing Center Hours Brush-up on Skills
The Testing Center
Second Floor, Room 217, Gerald Fisher Campus Center
Brush-up on Skills
Online and face-to-face tutoring are available
Contact NPC Career Services at
Bring valid photo ID to take your test.
It is very important to brush up on your skills before taking the test. Online programs and face-to-face tutoring are available. Ask the Testing Center or Career Services staff for more information.

4. Check-in Process
Greet the Testing Center staff person at the front desk who will instruct you on the check-in process
Have your photo ID available and make sure your cell phone is completely turned off.
Scratch paper, pencil will be provided
You will be escorted to a testing computer
When you arrive to take the test, greet the Testing Center staff person for check-in instructions.
Show your ID to the Testing Center staff person.
You will then be escorted to a testing computer to get started!

5. Important to Note!
The ACCUPLACER test is available every day the Testing Center is open.
No appointment is necessary.
You may take the entire exam at one time or you may take one section at a time. For example, you may take the Math on one day, the Reading on another day, and the Sentence Skills at another time.
The test is untimed, so you may take breaks at any time you need, in between each exam or even during the exam.
No need to stress yourself out about taking the entire exam at one time. The Accuplacer test is available every day. No appointment is necessary. Breaks are allowed during the test or in between tests.

6. Things to Know: ACCUPLACER testing is on the computer
The mouse is used to answer the questions
Be sure to read the on-screen directions carefully
Use the HELP button on the top right, at any time during the test, for additional assistance
Some important things to know:
The Accuplacer test is given on the computer. If you are not comfortable with computers, the testing center staff can help you with tutorials to practice using computers before you test.
The mouse is used to answer the questions. If you do not know how to use a mouse for a computer, let the staff know.
Be sure to read the on screen directions CAREFULLY. Directions will vary from section to section.
Use the HELP button on the top right section of your screen at ANY time during testing for additional information.

7. Testing Accommodations:
Test is self-paced, work at your own speed
Scratch paper and pencil provided
Multiple choice questions only
Calculator available on the computer. No handheld calculators allowed.
The Accuplacer test is self-paced, you can work at your own speed. Don’t feel rushed.
Pencils and scratch paper are available for you to use. Just ask one of the testing center staff members before you begin.
All of the questions are multiple choice.

8. Reading Sentence Skills Math What will be on the Test?
There are three sections to the Accuplacer test. Reading, Writing and Math.

9. Reading Placement
Comprised of 20 questions, measures your ability to understand what you read, identify main ideas and to make inferences.
You need to distinguish between direct statements and secondary or supporting ideas.
In the Reading Placement section you will answer multiple choice questions about a passage taken from an article or book. One side of the screen will have the passage and the other will have a question with the answer choices. This section targets reading comprehension and vocabulary knowledge.

10. Writing Placement Sentence Skills
Comprised of 20 questions, measures your understanding of sentence structure – what makes a sentence complete and clear.
Some questions deal with the logic of the sentence, and others with the relationships between two sentences.
In the Writing section, you will find and correct errors in essays then answer questions about the essay after you have finished with editing. To find the errors, you will apply your knowledge of punctuation, basic grammar and sentence structure. To answer the questions about the essays, you will use your skills in organization, style and strategy.

11. Math Placement
Work problems in areas from basic operations and pre-algebra to college algebra and geometry
Answer multiple-choice questions
A calculator is available on the computer
The Math Placement Assessment will have you work problems in areas from basic operations and pre-algebra to college algebra and geometry. The answers will all be multiple choice. Scratch paper and pencils are available from the testing center staff. You may bring a calculator or use the one available on the computer.

12. Sample Questions click on the link below

13. How Much Time Is Allowed?
The ACCUPLACER is not timed.
Each test section usually takes about 30 minutes to complete.
If you need to stop testing before finishing, your test can be saved to be finished at a later time.
Unlike the ACT or SAT, the Accuplacer test is NOT timed. Take your time and don’t feel rushed. The adviser uses your scores to place you in your courses.
Each section usually takes about 30 minutes to complete. Although most people finish within 1 ½ to 2 hours, some have finished much later.
If you need to stop testing before finishing, let a testing center staff person know immediately. Your test can be saved to be finished at a later time.

14. Test Scores
A copy of your score report will print automatically as soon as you finish.
A Testing Center Staff member will review these scores with you.
Because this test is given on the computer, a copy of your score report will print as soon as you finish. A testing center staff member will review these scores with you. This copy is for you to keep. Bring it with you when you meet with your advisor.

15. Academic Advisors
Once you have completed your ACCUPLACER exam, you will need to schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor.
The Advising office is located on the 2nd floor of the Fisher Campus Center Building down the hall from the Testing Center.
Once you have completed your Accuplacer test, you will need to meet with your adviser. Schedule an appointment with your adviser as soon as possible to discuss your results.

16. Understanding the Scores
This is not a pass/fail test; however minimum scores are required.
Depending on your score, you may be required to attend tutoring to brush up on your reading/writing/math skills before retaking the ACCUPLACER test.
Depending on your score, it may also be necessary to take some Basic Studies courses before you can enroll in college-level courses.
There is not a pass/fail test; however minimum scores are required. It may be necessary to attend tutoring or take some Basic Studies courses before you can enroll in college level courses. We use the scores to determine where you need to start.

17. Basic Studies Courses Foundations of Reading and Writing
Composition1 + ALP = Accelerated Learning Program
Math Essentials
Foundations of College Math
Our basic studies courses are designed to bring your skill up to college ready in the three areas tested. There are two levels in both Reading and Writing. Reading is designed to improve your reading speed, vocabulary and comprehension. Writing focuses on the skills need to write good papers for your college classes.
Math has two levels. Foundations and Technical Math will prepare you for College Algebra.

18. Retaking the ACCUPLACER
You may retake all sections or just one particular section to improve your scores after tutoring. Each part is $10.
NPC will always use the highest test score of each section to determine your course placement.
If you would like to retake the Accuplacer test we can help. NPC will use the highest score in each area no matter how many times you take the test. You can retake the entire test or just one particular section. Ask the Testing Center staff for details.

19. Want to Brush Up ?
Get the FREE Official Web-Based Study App at to use on the computer, smart phone, or tablet
and are great for math!
is good to review writing skills!
has lots of reading, math, and writing practice problems!
To see more test samples:
These are some of the free online resources you can use for practice. We HIGHLY recommend that all students either work with the tutor or do some online practice exams before testing.
Before or after you have taken the Accuplacer test, the testing center staff can set you up with free tutoring. This program focuses on problems similar to the ones on the Accuplacer test.

20. Don’t Forget…! Your photo ID! Get plenty of rest!
Read all the directions and each question carefully! Each question may have individual directions.
Concentrate so you can do your best!
Remember that you will need a photo ID and know your social security number. Read all of the directions and each question carefully. There is no need to rush. Concentrate and do your best. We hope this presentation has been helpful.

21. Questions?
If you have any questions, ask our staff or please call The Testing Center at Thank you and Welcome to National Park College!
If you have any questions, please talk to our staff. We are here to help you.
If you feel comfortable proceeding, you may go to the Testing Center to take your test.
However, we highly recommend either working with the tutor or doing some practice exams online before testing.
Good luck! And welcome to NPC.