sample essay writing for placement test

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Sample Essays

Below are two sample essays. Both essays are in response to the writing prompt below. The first sample essay demonstrates a readiness for English Composition I (a writing course required in all degree programs). The second contains weak areas demonstrating a need for additional support to foster success in English Composition I.

Penn College faculty evaluate essays based on the following:

• organization
• development of ideas
• sentence structure
• word choice
• punctuation

The Faculty Evaluation section explains how effectively the student addressed each essay component and provides a rationale for each student’s placement.

English Composition I (ENL 111)

Write about a sport, hobby, or extra-curricular activity that you were involved with in high school and the impact that sport or activity had on your life. Be sure to clearly identify the sport or activity, and use specific details how this involvement made an impact on your life.

Student Essay:

One hobby or skill I pride myself in is my ability to cook, one that I have only obtained in my last 2 years working as a cook. When I started at Rotelli (an Italian restaurant in State College) it was right after my senior year in High school.

Fresh out of High school with no prior experience in the “real world” I was more or less forced to mature to meet the basic standards of a high-end kitchen employee. Allowing people to walk all over me due to my nonthreatening appearance and stoic resolve was no longer an option. Most of my coworkers were/are gruff, seasonal restaurant employees who will verbally “go for the throat” without a moments notice.

After several months of this environment and dreading going to work, I picked up on things to sharpen my wit, making what was before an entire night of being picked on into just playful verbal abuse. After this realization literally everything seemed less of a hassel, as well as near complete immunity to any sort of heckling. I even pushed the envelope by getting my lip pierced to “draw more heat” but no such insidents occurred.

In summation, the restaurant not only turned me into a good cook but also prepared me for the hassel and hardships of the real world, something that will be a definite benefit to me in the future.

Faculty Evaluation:

The essay shows a significant degree of organization . In the opening paragraph, the student mentions the specific hobby (cooking) that will be the subject of the essay, and then each paragraph relates to this particular hobby and its impact on the student’s life. The development of ideas occurs in each paragraph because the student writes about how the experience at this restaurant has impacted the student at the restaurant and the possible impact on the student’s future. There are some minor errors in punctuation , word choice , and spelling , but they do not take away from the reader’s ability to understand the paragraphs individually and the essay as a whole. The sentence structure is consistently strong throughout the essay, and evident in each paragraph. The essay contains specific details. The student connects the paragraphs to the prompt, clearly showing the impact that the experience at this restaurant has had on the student’s life. This student was placed in ENL111.

English Composition I (ENL 111) with English Composition Lab (ENL105)

Write about a sport, hobby, or extra-curricular activity that you were involved with in high school and the impact that sport or activity had on your life. Be sure to clearly identify the sport or activity, and use specific details about how this involvement made an impact on your life.

For my essay I will be choosing number two. The activity I will be writing about is highschool wrestling. I chose this sport in nineth grade. The reason I chose it was because I herd it had good rewards. I will be writing to you about the difficulties, rewards, experience, all what I learned from challenges.

There are multiple problems with word choice and spelling.

I will start with the difficulties. The one major difficulty for most people is eating. You must keep your weight minimal or you shouldnt even show up. What you learn from this is disapline. The second is fear with anciaty. You may want this actualy before a match. You get scared and prepare better. Your anciaty gives you speek and strength when you get on the mat. This teaches you how to use your weakness.

The ideas are not developed here. For instance, there are no details on why weight is a problem.

The last difficultie is physical pain and edurance. The best way to deal with it is to ignore it. Your mind is whats telling you it hurts and you need to stop. Tell it to ignore it and over time it will. This teacies you the more important thing which is you can do anything if you beleive you can. Those are some of the Difficulties and lessens you learn from wrestling.

In addition to spelling, punctuation, and grammar problems, this paragraph does not connect the ideas to each other, nor to the prompt.

The rewards you experience are great. The greatest reward is self greatness. When you train and win you feel accomplishd. You also have respect from your team and coach. It feels like you have some power. The last reward is the body. You get a great body from it and you feel great. Girls will offten give you attention for having it. Those are some of the rewards of wrestling.

Spelling issues are present and the ideas are listed, but not developed.

Over all highschool wrestling is a great way to improve yourself. I have learnd many skill and discipline from it. I have changed my life because of it. There will always be difficulties but you will always get somthing out of it. That is what I have to discuss on my activity.

While the student demonstrates some understanding of five paragraph format, there are numerous errors overall and little idea development in the essay.

The essay shows a degree of organization . In the opening paragraph, the student mentions three points to be made in the essay: difficulties, rewards, and experience. In the body of the essay, however, there is very little development of ideas . In the second paragraph, the student does not develop the idea of disciplined eating or anxiety. Paragraph four is a list of three rewards from wrestling, but the ideas are only listed, not developed. While there are some errors in punctuation , there are significant problems with sentence structure throughout the essay, especially with grammar , word choice , and spelling . These are pervasive throughout the essay. This student was placed in ENL111 with the additional support of ENL105.

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College Placement Test

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English Placement Test Essay Examples

You will find English placement test essay examples for your college entrance exam on this page.

In the writing section of the test, you will see literary nonfiction, essays, and informational passages.

The passages are around 300 words in length and there are five questions on each one.

Our free study guide will help you learn all of the grammar rules that are covered on the test.

Here is a free sample from our writing test PDF download :

Instructions: Read the first of our English placement test essay examples below and answer the questions that follow.

(1) The Department of Education in our state recently stated that more discipline is needed in the classroom. (2) Can you believe it? (3) It comes a bit late – I’m sure you’ll agree – but then the employee’s at the Department have had a great deal to think about over the years. (4) I don’t generally put much stock in the Department of Education’s opinions. (5) For several years, I’ve seen bad behavior in some schools and nothing serious being done about it. (6) In the meantime, the Department of Education has insinuated through its silence that everything was just great. (7) Evidently, however, now it’s not.

(8) Consider for instance, one of the children in my gifted class. (9) Since the school is discontinuing the program, he has to move back into the main school, understandably, he’s told me that he doesn’t want to go. (10) He wants to stay where there are very high standards of behavior and work. (11) He’s done so well. (12) His parents can’t believe the high level he achieves. (13) How great is that?

1. What is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 3, reproduced below?

It comes a bit late – I’m sure you’ll agree – but then the employee’s at the Department have had a great deal to think about over the years.

A. Leave it as it is now. B. employees C. employees’ D. employees’s

2. What is the best decision regarding the underlined portion of sentence 7, reproduced below?

Evidently, however, now it’s not.

A. Leave it as it is now. B. Remove the comma after “Evidently” C. Remove the comma after “however” D. Delete “Evidently,” from the beginning of the sentence

3. What is the best decision regarding the underlined portion of sentence 9, reproduced below?

Since the school is discontinuing the program, he has to move back into the main school, understandably, he’s told me that he doesn’t want to go.

A. Leave it as it is now. B. Place a period after “school” and begin a new sentence with “Understandably,” C. Use a dash after “school” instead of a comma D. Use a colon after “school” instead of a comma

English Placement Test Essay Examples – Answers

1. The correct answer is B. The word “employees” forms the grammatical subject of the sentence. The writer is speaking about all of the workers at the Department of Education, so we need to use the plural form. An apostrophe is not required since we do not need the possessive form.

2. The correct answer is A. The sentence is best as it is written in the original essay. A comma needs to be placed after “evidently” as it is a transition word used at the beginning of the sentence. A comma also needs to be used after “however, because it is used within the sentence. The use of both words in this sentence serves as a logical connector to the previous argument that the writer is making.

3. The correct answer is B. We have two complete sentences here since each has its own grammatical subject and verb. So, a period should be used after “school” and a new sentence should be made starting with the next word.

Online Placement Test Sample

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Sentence Skills

Sentence Completion

Sentence Relationships

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English Placement Test Online Preparation, Free Practice Questions & Tips – 2024

• English Placement Tests
• Free English Placement Tests Practice Test

What Is an English Placement Test?

The English placement test is a type of a verbal reaoning psychometric test used to gauge your level of fluency in English. The English placement test measures your aptitude for a variety of factors within the language. The test can be scored in a multitude of ways, but regardless of how the score is given, you will be rated on a scale of elementary to advanced. In the academic world, a high English placement test score can earn you course credits without having to take an extra English course. Employers often use the English placement test to gauge your overall understanding of English. Refer to the below tips to aid in your preparation for test day!

How to Prepare for the English Placement Test?

Remember, an English placement test is an assessment designed to determine your proficiency level in the English language. These tests are often used by educational institutions, employers, and language programs to place you in appropriate courses or positions that match your skill level. To ensure you perform your best on the test, follow these tips:

Understand the test format. Familiarize yourself with the structure of the test. It may include sections on reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, listening, and writing. Knowing the format will help you manage your time effectively during the test.

• Review basic English concepts . Brush up on fundamental English concepts such as grammar rules, sentence structure, verb tenses, prepositions, articles, and parts of speech. Use textbooks, online resources, or language learning apps to reinforce your knowledge.
• Enhance your English vocabulary . Build a strong vocabulary by learning new words, idiomatic expressions, and synonyms. Consider using flashcards or vocabulary-building apps to help you remember and practice using these words.
• Practice reading comprehension . Improve your reading skills by reading a variety of texts, such as newspapers, magazines, short stories, and academic articles. Pay attention to main ideas, supporting details, and inferences.
• Develop listening skills. Listen to English audio materials, such as podcasts, news broadcasts, or online videos. Focus on understanding different accents, tones, and contexts. This will help you excel in the listening comprehension section.
• Practice writing. Write essays, paragraphs, or journal entries to enhance your writing skills. Focus on organizing your ideas logically, using proper grammar and punctuation, and expressing your thoughts clearly and concisely.
• Time management. On the test day, manage your time wisely. Allocate specific time limits to each section and question. If you’re stuck on a question, move on and return to it later if time permits.
• Take practice tests. Obtain practice tests or sample questions similar to the format of the actual test. This will give you a feel for the types of questions you might encounter and help you identify areas that need more improvement.
• Simulate test conditions. Practice under conditions similar to the actual test. Find a quiet place, set a timer, and attempt the practice tests without interruptions to mimic the testing environment.
• Review and reflect. After taking practice tests, review your answers and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Focus on improving areas where you struggled and continue practicing until you feel confident.
• Get plenty of rest. Prioritize a good night’s sleep before the test. A well-rested mind will help you think clearly and perform your best.
• Test day preparation. On the test day, arrive early to the test center. Bring required identification and any permitted materials, such as pencils, erasers, and identification documents.
• Stay calm and confident . During the test, maintain a positive mindset. Stay calm, read instructions carefully, and approach each question thoughtfully. Trust in your preparation and don’t let anxiety affect your performance.
• Pace yourself. Pace yourself through the test. Don’t rush, but also avoid spending too much time on any single question. Remember, it’s better to complete the entire test with reasonable accuracy than to leave many questions unanswered.
• Accept the results. After the test, accept the results and use them as a starting point for your English language journey. Whether you place at a higher or lower level, you now have a clear understanding of your skills and can work towards improvement.

Remember, an English placement test is a tool to assess your current level of proficiency, and it’s okay if you don’t know every answer. Use the results to guide your language learning goals and continue practicing to achieve the level of English proficiency you desire.

Example Question with Explanation

Let’s take a look at a sample question you might see on an English placement test.

Example question: Identify the error in the following sentence and select the correct option to fix it.

“Neither of the books on the shelf are mine.”

• Neither of the books on the shelf is mine.
• Neither of the book on the shelf is mine.
• Neither of the book on the shelf are mine.

Explanation: The correct answer is B. This is because the subject in this sentence is “neither,” which is singular. This can be confusing as we use this word to reference two things, but it’s singular because it is actually referring to two objects (in this case, books) that are not in possession of the person in the sentence. In other words, the absence of multiples within the word makes it singular despite referring to two things.

Because we have a singular subject, the verb in the sentence (“is” which is a conjugation of “to be”), needs to be singular as well. This makes using “are” incorrect. As for why “books” needs to be plural, that is because the subject “neither” means that there are at least two options.

It’s okay if this seems confusing. That’s because grammar is difficult! All the more reason to make a point to review your grammar rules and implement plenty of practice prior to taking the English placement test. The more time you spend practicing and brushing up on all aspects of English, the more natural these skills will come.

English Placement Test Sample Questions

Now that we’ve gone over the necessary information for preparation, it’s time to practice! Below you will find eight free sample questions with which to practice what you’ve learned. An answer key can be found at the bottom. Good luck!

• Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Passage: “The sun sets in the west, casting a warm glow over the horizon. The sky transforms into a canvas of vibrant oranges, pinks, and purples. It’s a breathtaking sight that reminds us of the beauty in nature.” Question: What colors are typically seen in the sky during a sunset?

• Yellow, purple, pink
• Green, blue, purple
• Black, green, pink
• Orange, pink, purple
• Me and my friend is going to the movies.
• My friend and me is going to the movies.
• My friend and I are going to the movies.
• Me and my friend are going to the movies.
• He often reads science books.
• He often reads books science.
• He science often reads books.
• Books he often reads science.
• A type of dessert
• A difficult task
• A simple task
• A type of bread
• Verbal Critical Reasoning
• True/False/Cannot Say
• Reading Comprehension Test
• Sentence Completion Test
• Vocabulary Test
• Spelling Test
• Synonym Test
• Punctuation Test
• Capitalization Test
• Analogy Reasoning Test
• Speed Reading Test
• Paragraph Organization Test
• English Placement Test
• Verbal Ability Test

Sample Scored Essays

In This Section

Two to three ECC faculty/staff read and score each essay giving it a single, holistic score. In holistic scoring, essays are not given low scores just because they contain many mechanical errors, nor are they given high scores just because they are well organized. While those factors are important, the reader also considers the overall impression created by the student's writing sample and assigns a score consistent with that overall impression.

Your essay will be assigned one of the following holistic scores based on the criteria listed. We have included here a set of three actual (anonymous) student papers using discontinued topics, along with an analysis of their strengths and weaknesses. There are many ways of obtaining a particular score, so these should not be taken as templates or models to follow. Yet, they provide some concrete examples of the ways that the scoring criteria are applied in practice.

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The Best ACCUPLACER Practice Tests: Math, Reading, and More

General Education

Practice tests are an important part of the test prep process. They can help you gauge your progress, create focused study plans, and familiarize you with the ACCUPLACER test.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about the ACCUPLACER practice tests : where to find them, how much they cost, how they will work to your specific needs, and so much more.

There's a lot to cover, so let's get started!

What Is the ACCUPLACER Test?

The ACCUPLACER is a placement test, meaning it's designed to assess your skills in a variety of key areas so that you can be placed in the courses at the level appropriate to your abilities .

It's specifically used by colleges to determine whether students are ready to enroll in credit-earning courses or not. Many colleges have remediation programs that are designed to help students improve their core skills without counting for credit (or factoring into your GPA).

In other words, the ACCUPLACER test is designed to help colleges decide if students need to take remedial courses or not.

The ACCUPLACER test includes assessment in three areas: reading, writing, and mathematics. The mathematics section is broken down into three subtests: Arithmetic; Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS); and Advanced Algebra and Functions (AAF).

There is also an essay component to the ACCUPLACER test called the WritePlacer Essay.

There's a lot to know about the ACCUPLACER test, so be sure to check out our complete ACCUPLACER overview .

So, do you need to take the ACCUPLACER test?

Whether or not you need the ACCUPLACER placement tests depends largely upon whether it's required by your university. If your college uses the ACCUPLACER to determine your placement in coursework, then you're going to have to take it no matter what. If you're unsure whether you need to take the ACCUPLACER exam, check with your college or university!

Do I Need to Study for the ACCUPLACER Test?

It's never a bad idea to study for a test. But determining how much you should study for the ACCUPLACER depends on two factors: your high school performance and your test-taking ability.

First, consider how well you performed in your high school courses. Did you make As and Bs in English and math courses? Or did you start to struggle as the material started to get more difficult? Did you take AP or IB classes, and did you do well in them?

Then, think about how you do on standardized tests. Are you the type of student who can wing it and get an A? Or do you have a little test anxiety that makes things tough?

If you struggle in one of the ACCUPLACER test's core subjects—reading, writing, and math—or if you're not a good test taker, then you should definitely set aside some time to study for the exam.

But how much time should you study? Well, that depends on how much you're struggling in the areas we've mentioned. That's why we recommend that everyone take at least one ACCUPLACER practice test. That way you can gauge your level of preparedness and brush up on your skills before you actually take the exam. It's also a good way to get a feel for the format of the test. Knowing what to expect from the ACCUPLACER exam can help calm some of your test-day jitters!

Having said that, keep in mind that the ACCUPLACER exam is a placement test, meaning you can't fail it. Its goal is to make sure that you're being placed in courses that will help you succeed in the long run.

Here's what we mean: universities don't want you to enroll in classes you're not ready to take. Not only is that stressful for you, it can also hurt your GPA...which can affect your scholarships and financial aid. The ACCUPLACER is a way for a school to make sure new students are enrolling in the right course level, which can ensure students' long-term success in college.

The Best ACCUPLACER Practice Tests

Now that you know more about the exam, let's talk more about ACCUPLACER practice tests. We've compiled a list of the best ACCUPLACER practice tests so that you can find the resources you need quickly and easily.

We've also broken the practice tests out into categories to help you find what you need. There are four categories below: best overall resource, reading practice tests, writing practice tests, and math practice tests.

That way you can focus on the material that's toughest for you!

The Best Overall Resource

If you're ready to start studying for the ACCUPLACER exam by using practice tests, then you've come to the right place. This is our pick for the best all-around ACCUPLACER practice test resource.

Best ACCUPLACER Practice Test Resource: The College Board

Your first stop for practice tests should be the College Board's Practice for ACCUPLACER page . Here you'll find a number of official materials that will help you prepare for the ACCUPLACER tests.

We recommend starting here for a few reasons. First, the ACCUPLACER exam is administered by the College Board, so their resources are the most up-to-date and accurate. Second, the College Board provides a wide variety of study tools to help you get ready for your test.

The most helpful tool included on this page is the ACCUPLACER study app. This ACCUPLACER study app provides practice tests in all categories, which you can take as many times as you like. The practice tests are formatted exactly like the ACCUPLACER placement tests themselves, and offer immediate feedback on your answers, with explanations of why the answers are correct or incorrect.

That way, you can study anywhere you like and get feedback in real time!

Second, the College Board's ACCUPLACER website has a number of sample question packets available for each test , with rationales for the correct answers at the end. You can download these as PDFs and print them out, then work on them at your own pace. Again, these are official questions from College Board themselves , so they are a very useful and representative tool for studying the real thing!

The third ACCUPLACER study tool you can find on the College Board's website is a selection of sample essay prompts, along with sample essays, their scores, and the rationales for why the essays received the scores they did . You can practice writing essays using the sample prompts, then compare your essays to the ones that have been scored in the packet. That way, you can see how your writing stacks up.

The ACCUPLACER Reading exam tests your ability to read, comprehend, and analyze a text.

ACCUPLACER Reading Practice Tests

In order to pass the ACCUPLACER Reading Test, you'll have to be able to read short passages (often just a few paragraphs) and be able to understand what words and phrases mean in the context of the passage. The texts will include literature, nonfiction, history, and various experiences from careers or the sciences, and they will range from easy to relatively difficult.

According to College Board's website , some of the areas you'll be assessed on are:

• Reading comprehension, including picking out major ideas and themes
• Analyzing word choice and points of view
• Analyzing and critiquing logic and arguments
• Synthesizing texts (i.e. comparing more than one text and understanding how they work together)

We've put together a list of the best ACCUPLACER reading practice tests available to help you brush up on these important skills.

ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension Practice Test

• Best For: Students who want to take one more practice test before the actual exam

This ACCUPLACER reading practice test is nothing fancy, but it provides a quick click-through approach to taking the ACCUPLACER Reading Test. While the questions themselves may not be exactly like those provided by College Board, they're similar enough to be useful—and the price is definitely right! We recommend using this after you've already taken the practice tests available from the College Board.

Mometrix ACCUPLACER Reading Practice Test

• Best For: Students who are short on time

Mometrix's ACCUPLACER reading practice test is short—it only gives you 15 questions. But it's free, and it does give you a sense of the types of questions you'll see on the reading section of the exam. If you don't have a lot of time to study for the ACCUPLACER, but you want to at least get a sense of what the exam will be like, this is a good resource for you.

Ace the Accuplacer Reading Placement Test

• Cost: Subscription-based (free for 30 days)
• Best For: Students who are struggling with reading comprehension

Once you create an account, you can start your free trial and access Study.com's ACCUPLACER reading practice tests. Once you create your account you'll see the practice test, which is a combined study resource and exam. For each question, Study.com provides rationales for the correct answers as well as videos and tutorials you can watch that can help you learn to better read and respond to the test questions. So if you're looking for some extra guided help on the ACCUPLACER's reading section, this is a great choice!

The ACCUPLACER Writing exam tests your ability to edit a text. That means you'll have to brush up on your grammar skills!

ACCUPLACER Writing Practice Tests

In order to pass the ACCUPLACER writing test, you'll need to be able to edit or revise several passages for "for effective expression of ideas and for conformity to the conventions of Standard Written English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation."

This is a fancy way of saying you'll be evaluating and editing, rather than writing your own content. (The ACCUPLACER exam also has an essay portion, which is different from the Writing section.)

According to the College Board's website, the key areas they are testing for are:

• Being able to evaluate a text's argument, organization, and use of language
• Understanding English grammar, including vocabulary, structure, and punctuation

While that might seem challenging, the ACCUPLACER writing practice tests below can help you get a handle on those concepts in no time.

Mometrix ACCUPLACER Writing Practice Test

• Best For: Students who want a quick overview of the writing section

As with the ACCUPLACER Reading Test linked above, this is a short practice test. It gives you 15 sample questions that offer an overview of the different question types you'll find on the writing section of the ACCUPLACER exam. What we really like about this resource is that it explains the rationale behind the correct answer for each question. But because it's so short, we recommend it as an introduction to the test or a supplement to the official practice tests we listed earlier.

ACCUPLACER English Study Guide 2019 & 2020: ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension, Sentence Skills, and Writing Test Prep & 2 Practice Tests

• Cost: About $15
• Best For: Students who struggle with writing, editing, and revising

This 95-page book has study guides, an ACCUPLACER Writing practice test, and practice questions. It's basically a mini course on the writing and reading portions of the ACCUPLACER in one handy place. It's more expensive than some of the free practice tests on our list, but you'll definitely get your money's worth! If you need more comprehensive help—or if you prefer to study from a book rather than online—this would be an excellent resource for you.

There are actually three ACCUPLACER math tests: Arithmetic; Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS); and Advanced Algebra and Functions (AAF)

ACCUPLACER Math Practice Tests

All three ACCUPLACER math tests are multiple choice and measure your ability to compute equations, your fluency with math skills, and your ability to apply mathematical concepts to real-life situations.

Keep in mind that each math test focuses on a different set of skills. This table shows you what math skills are tested on each ACCUPLACER math subject exam:

If math isn't your strong suit, and you are concerned about how you might place, you'll probably want to study for the ACCUPLACER math tests. That's why we've found some of the best ACCUPLACER math practice tests available!

ACCUPLACER Study Guide 2020-2021: ACCUPLACER English and Math Exam Prep and Practice Test Questions

• Best For : Students who need a comprehensive review

This 176-page book provides study guides, material reviews, practice questions, and practice tests from all three ACCUPLACER math subtests. This is a very thorough overview of the ACCUPLACER, updated for the upcoming academic year—and the best part is that it has sections over the reading and writing sections as well! If you're looking for a comprehensive review of the ACCUPLACER math exam, this is your best bet.

Barton College ACCUPLACER Math Practice Test

• Best For: Students who want to access their knowledge

Barton College has a free practice available on their school's placement web page. This 80-question ACCUPLACER math practice test has multiple choice questions similar to those on the actual test, along with the answer key. There are no rationales for the correct answers, but as a resource to quiz yourself on material you've studied using other resources, this is an excellent go-to practice test!

MathHelp ACCUPLACER Math Practice Test

• Best For: Students who need a content overview

This online practice test is more of a practice test and study resource combined into one. It has a whopping 174 lessons, all of which have videos that walk you through the skills you need to know to find the answers. For each skill set, there are ACCUPLACER sample questions that you can solve. These mimic the format of the ACCUPLACER exam to give you some practical experience while helping you conquer tough math concepts.

TestGuide ACCUPLACER Math Practice Tests

• Best For: Students who just want a quick overview of one subject area

TestGuide provides free ACCUPLACER math practice tests in three subject areas: arithmetic, algebra, and college math. Each test has about 10 questions, so they're pretty short. But they give you a decent sense of the material covered on the ACCUPLACER, and they're a good resource if you're looking to get an overview of the material and/or test your math skills. And since each subject has its own test, you can save valuable study time by zeroing in on the material you need to practice the most.

4 Tips for Using ACCUPLACER Practice Tests

So now that we've looked at several ACCUPLACER practice tests in each category, here are four tips that will help you get the most out of them.

Tip 1: Prioritize

Perhaps you're a math whiz and a big reader, but writing doesn't come naturally to you. There's shame in that, and you're definitely not alone!

If that's the case, use a practice test to diagnose the topics that are causing you the most trouble. Are you great with vocabulary, but struggle with grammar? Or maybe you're a whiz at picking out main ideas, but you're not sure what point of view is. Whatever it is, focus on the areas in which you need the most help, so that you don't waste your time studying areas that you're already comfortable with.

Tip 2: Don't Rush

The ACCUPLACER tests are not timed! That means that you have as long as you need to complete the actual tests. There's no need to try to speed through these ACCUPLACER practice tests. Take your time and try to learn why the answers are what they are. If you learn the material so that it makes sense to you, you'll do great on test day.

Tip 3: Don't Cheat

It can be tempting to try and speed up the studying process by flipping to the answer key as soon as you've answered a question (or to check on the right answer before you even attempt the problem). While this might make your study session go faster, it's not going to help you retain the information you're studying. Do your best to answer the questions on your own and then consult the answer key. That's the best way to learn.

Tip 4: Rinse and Repeat

Taking one practice test once isn't going to miraculously or dramatically improve your test scores. However, taking multiple tests and reviewing why the answers are what they are, repeating until you gradually get better and better at it probably will.

The best approach here is perseverance. While the first test or two might not be especially fun, you'll gradually get better and better as you learn the material, and that marathon approach is how you can get the most out of these ACCUPLACER practice tests. It will also help you knock your actual ACCUPLACER exam out of the park.

The ACCUPLACER test also has an essay portion. If your college requires you to take that portion of the exam, then you'll need to brush up on your writing chops. Start by checking out this guide to writing argumentative essays , then check out these articles on the SAT essay and ACT essay . While the ACCUPLACER essay portion isn't exactly the same, our SAT and ACT resources will teach you the key skills you need to succeed.

If you're struggling with math, PrepScholar has tons of resources that can help you learn even the trickiest material. For instance, this expert guide helps you learn the algebra you need to know for most standardized tests , and this one gives you a comprehensive overview of functions . Be sure to check out our blog for even more great information!

The reading and writing portions of the ACCUPLACER exam ask you to read passages and analyze them . Those are similar skills to what you'll use to do well on the SAT and ACT. Our SAT guide to reading can teach you how to break down difficult passages , and this article will give you some great general tips to improve your reading comprehension .

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

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• Placement Testing
• Writing Placement Test

Writing Placement Assessment

Good writing skills are essential no matter what you're studying in college. The Writing Placement Assessment will gauge your writing ability to determine if you require remediation. It will ensure that you are placed in the correct classes during your first semester at Columbus State. 

Practice is The Best Preparation

Before you test, be sure to review. Proper placement is important to your success in college. Your scores will determine if you will be required to take remedial writing course(s) or if you start with a college-level course. 

It's important to understand that, while remedial writing courses are critical for some students, they do not count toward your degree. Scoring 5 or higher on your Writing Placement Assessment will allow you to begin your first semester in college-level courses that apply toward your major, saving you time and money!

Practice Tests

Click the links below to take practice tests. This is an important step because it will help you get an idea of what the test is like, and what your score might be if you took the test today. It also reviews material that will be on the test to help you achieve your best score.

• Resources for Students - Accuplacer Assessments
• Accuplacer Writing Sample Questions
• WritePlacer Essay Study Guide
• WritePlacer Essay Guide
• English Study Guide - Mesa Community College

Taking the Test

Test format.

For the Writing Placement Assessment, you will be asked to:

• Read a short passage that ends with a writing prompt.
• Develop an opinion with supporting reasons, explanations, and examples.
• Write a 300-600 word formal academic essay (on a computer) in standard, edited English.

Timing, Cost, and Testing Rules

• There is no charge to take the Writing Placement Assessment. You are eligible to retake the assessment one time in two years. 
• Most students take the Writing and Reading Placement Assessments at the same time. Neither assessment is timed, and most students take 45 - 60 minutes for each part. Plan to spend two or more hours in the testing location. 
• You must complete the Writing Assessment in one sitting. If you run out of time, the Reading portion can be completed on a separate day. 

Assessment Scores

Department Contact

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(614) 287-0000

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WCC Writing Placement Test

As part of the process of your becoming a student who takes credit courses at WCC, we ask that you do some on-the-spot writing that we can evaluate. We call this sample of on-the-spot writing a writing placement test. It will help us to help you find the courses that are right for you at this time.

On the test, you will have a choice between three writing prompts. Choose one of them and respond with at least three paragraphs.

A faculty member from WCC’s English/College Readiness Department will evaluate your writing sample according to the following criteria:

• Organization (logical order of ideas within and between paragraphs)
• Development (overall support of main idea; details, examples, and explanation that show the who, what, when, where, why, and how of your ideas)
• Language use and mechanics (academic vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and punctuation).

Please use the Free Handouts from the WCC Writing Center if you would like to have a refresher before you attempt this writing placement test.

Remember, your writing placement test should be an accurate reflection of your own writing. If outside assistance or plagiarism is suspected, the writing sample will not be accepted, and you may face disciplinary action as stated in WCC's Board of Trustees Policy 4095 Student Rights and Responsibilities , Academic Dishonesty.

Important : You must login with your WCC credentials.

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Taking the Placement Test

Get ready to take the placement tests.

Many students may have evidence of college readiness that can exempt them from part or all of the placement process. Please read our exemptions and waivers page to learn more. Return to this page when you're ready for the placement test.

Most students will take the placement test after  applying to PGCC and completing student orientation . Students who have not properly applied to the school cannot start placement. Once you’ve submitted your application, follow these steps to complete your placement test:

• Review the study materials and sites to help you prepare. Before testing, we encourage students to refresh their math, reading, and essay-writing skills.
• Take the placement tests in person or begin online placement .
• If you want to be in a WDCE program, please visit our WDCE testing site .

Take the Placement Tests Online

Students can now take the ACCUPLACER and ALEKS-PPL tests online if they have an active Owl Link account and a supported computer. The online platforms require you to install software that monitors and records your screen, microphone, and webcam to protect the integrity of the tests. After you finish the test, Testing Center staff will have access to the recordings for a limited time. If you do not wish to use this software or do not consent to be recorded, we invite you to take the test in person .

• Students who need the ESL test must visit a PGCC campus.
• WDCE students who need online placement for their programs should visit our WDCE placement testing site .
• Students in Early College Access programs must also take the placement test in person at an appropriate location. These programs include Dual Enrollment, Concurrent Enrollment, P-TECH, ITEC, the Academy for Health Sciences, and many others.

Because of the software requirements, you must request access to the online placement test. The Testing Center may deny access to online placement tests for any reason, such as exceeding the limits on test attempts, network outages, or more.

Please read the guidelines below to take the placement tests online successfully.

• The College uses Repondus Monitor for the online ALEKS-PPL test and Examity for the online ACCUPLACER test.
• The placement tests do not work on phones and tablets . You must take the test on a desktop or laptop computer running recent versions of Windows or macOS. Chromebooks also work.
• Your computer must have a webcam, microphone, and fast, reliable internet access.
• There is no penalty if the monitoring software and websites do not work, but you must take the placement test in person.
• Please ensure that anything you wish to keep private is not visible or audible. If you do not wish to be recorded, please take the test in person.
• Test your webcam to ensure that your entire face is visible and well-lit. Any hats or coverings should reveal your face. Test your microphone for clear sound.
• Use the same photo ID for each stage of the test process.
• Before starting the test, close all programs, apps, browser tabs, or windows with other content.
• During the room scan, include your clean scratch paper and pencils in the webcam’s view. Show the entire room—not just the ceiling or floor.
• Try to avoid moving or tilting your computer, and make sure it is on a firm surface.

The Testing Center has additional rules for online placement tests. Violating any of these or other testing center rules will cause the College to reject your test attempt. Each online platform may have additional rules which can trigger rejection. A rejected test attempt causes the College to invalidate your scores and remove them from your student record. All future attempts must be at a College Testing Center in person .

• You must complete the test in one sitting. Ensure you’re alone and remain at your computer with no interruptions for the entire test.
• You are not permitted to use phones, tablets, calculators, smart watches, or any other devices while taking the test. We recommend turning them off until the test is over.
• Take the placement test by yourself . Other people cannot help or be present while taking the test.
• Keep your webcam and microphone running for the entire test session.
• Before starting the test, close all programs, apps, browser tabs, or windows with other content. Accessing any content outside of the test on any device may trigger rejection.
• Do not use your phone, calculator, smart watch, tablet, or other devices while taking the test.
• Do not wear earphones or other Bluetooth devices while taking the test.
• The only resources allowed are clean scratch paper, pens or pencils, and accessibility tools for disabled students.

Use the button below to start the online placement request form. The testing center will contact you through email after one business day to approve or deny your request and send more instructions.

Request online placement test

Take the Placement Tests in Person

Here you will find instructions to take the placement test in person at one of our locations following the submission of your application. Feel free to read about the placement tests before you come to the testing center. Once you arrive, you must complete any required forms and show your photo ID to take the test. 

Please ensure that you have sufficient time to complete the placement tests. Incoming students taking tests for Reading, English, and Math Readiness may need up to three hours to complete all of them. However, not all tests must be taken on the same day.

The Testing Center is located in Bladen Hall, Room 100 at PGCC's main campus in Largo, MD. Please refer to our hours for the Testing Center for times and availability. All students must abide by the rules and guidelines at all locations.

The Placement Test Requires a Photo ID

Students must present one of these forms of photo ID for placement tests, waivers, and exemptions.

• PGCC student ID or employee ID card (with name and photo).
• State-issued driver's license.
• Maryland state (MVA) ID card.
• Employer's ID (with name and photo).
• Valid passport.
• U.S. Uniformed Service ID Card (military ID).
• U.S. DoD Common Access Card.
• Permanent Resident Card (Green Card/Form I-551).
• Employment Authorization Document (work permit).

Rules for Placement Testing

Please complete all tests on your own using appropriate resources, such as a pencil and blank scratch paper.

• Math tests provide a built-in calculator resource only for questions that require them. Students are not permitted to use their own calculators on the placement test.
• Inappropriate resources include, but are not limited to, the following: other people, books, notes, the internet, phones, tablets, calculators, computers, smart watches, etc.
• If the College finds evidence that a student used an inappropriate resource while taking a placement test, their test scores will be invalidated and removed from their student record. Then, the student must take all future placement tests in person.
• Incoming students must follow the College's Code of Conduct and other Testing Center rules .

Testing Center Dates with Closed or Reduced Hours for Summer 2024

See our Hours and Schedule for service and campus availability.

Masks are Recommended in the Testing Center

All PGCC Testing Center locations encourage everyone to wear a face mask to reduce the spread of disease.

Bring Your PGCC Student ID Number

After applying to the school and paying your application fee, you will be assigned a student ID number to be used for placement tests, registration, and exams. You may find this number on your bill, on your schedule, in your Owl Link , and in your PGCC Navigate account . Your student ID number is also encoded in the bar code of your PGCC ID card, if you have one.

Bring One Quarter for the Locker Room

At the Largo campus Testing Center, students are only allowed to have the following items at their desks: photo ID, pen or pencil, and a testing center locker key (if a locker is used). All other possessions brought into the center must be secured in a locker, which requires a quarter. The locker will return this quarter after a student reopens it to retrieve their possessions. Change is not available from our staff.

Sample Tests and Study Guides

This list of online resources can help students improve skills needed for the placement tests . Some may also be useful after starting courses.

• Official CollegeBoard ACCUPLACER Guide
• ESL Accuplacer Sample Test
• Khan Academy
• Purdue Online Writing Lab
• Read Theory
• Calculus Help
• S.O.S. Mathematics

Who takes the ESL Accuplacer test?

The ESL Accuplacer test is for  incoming international students who need to demonstrate their level of English and Reading Readiness . However, international students may take the same English and Reading placement test as U.S. students if they satisfy any of the following conditions:

• They completed all of their middle and high school education in the U.S.
• They have a diploma from passing the  GED tests in the U.S. Students with a GED diploma should submit their official GED transcripts to PGCC .
• Antigua & Barbuda
• The Bahamas
• Cayman Islands
• Commonwealth of Dominica
• New Zealand
• St. Kitts & Nevis
• St. Vincent & the Grenadines
• Solomon Islands
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Turks & Caicos Islands
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• Virgin Islands

After Finishing the Placement Tests

For the in-person placement tests, students will receive a printed copy of their scores immediately. Instructors must evaluate the ESL test, which takes 2-3 business days. Typically, all scores will be posted to a student's record within two business days of receiving final scores from tests or assessments. Still, holidays and other college closures might delay this process. All students must make an appointment with an advisor , who will evaluate their scores and help them choose classes.

Contacting An Advisor

After you finish the placement process, you must contact an advisor to register for courses. Please visit the advising website to ask questions and schedule appointments.

ALEKS-PPL Prep and Learning Modules

When you finish the ALEKS-PPL math placement test, the ALEKS platform creates a series of prep and learning modules to help you improve your math skills for another attempt. The study modules do not work on phones and tablets . You must use a desktop or laptop computer running recent versions of Windows or macOS. You may also use recent Chromebook models. Use the yellow button below to log into ALEKS-PPL and continue working. This link is not the placement test.

ALEKS-PPL STUDY MODULE

Getting Copies of Placement Test Scores

If you have already taken a placement test at a PGCC campus within the last four years, you may request a printed copy of your placement test scores from the Testing Center. You must come to the Testing Center in person and show a valid photo ID to get your scores. The testing center is located in Bladen Hall, Room 100, at PGCC's main campus in Largo, MD.

Contact the Testing Center

Email: [email protected] Phone number: 301-546-0147

• Get Ready to Take the Placement Test
• Learn About Exemptions and Test Waivers
• Sample Tests
• WDCE Program Tests
• Transfer placement test scores

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Information on English Placement Exam

The following information refers only to the Placement Exam on the Columbus campus. For information about English Placement on another Ohio State campus, please contact your advisor.

The English Placement Exam asks students to respond to a prompt that requires critical reading, summary skills, and an original essay in response. Students read a short opinion piece (approximately 500-750 words) and are asked to summarize and then respond to it.

General Directions for the Placement Exam

The Placement Test asks you to read a short essay, write a one-paragraph summary of that essay, and write a response to that essay.

You have a few choices about the document type you use to write and submit your essay:

You may write your essay in Word, Pages, or Google Docs and copy and paste it into the submission text box once you have completed it and submit it there.

You may type your essay directly into the text box in the Testing area and submit it through the submission function.

Please read the essay before you begin writing. When you have finished reading the essay, respond to it in two ways.

Step 1: Write a one-paragraph summary of the essay that provides a good idea of what the essay is about. Be sure to identify the central argument in your summary and to include the title of the essay and the author’s name in the summary.

Step 2: Write an essay of your own that responds to the author's argument. In your essay, do your best to demonstrate your composition skills and familiarity with edited American English. While much academic writing requires finding and working with outside sources, this placement essay should consist exclusively of your own writing. While you may quote from the placement reading, do not include the work of other writers

You should work to display the following attributes in your writing:

A clearly defined central idea (thesis).

A clear and logical organization (clearly defined organization and logical paragraphs).

Strong supporting details drawn from experience, observation, and/or from the reading. No sources outside the reading should be included.

An understanding of the reading and argument presented in it.

Grammatically correct and effective sentences.

You may take some time to to free-write, plan, or outline your thoughts before you write the essay. If you are writing in Word, Pages, or Google Docs to copy and paste into the text box, be sure to include a header or separation between your notes and Steps 1 and 2. If you are typing directly into the submission text box instead of in a file that you will cut and paste, please indicate the location of your planning notes in the text box with a heading such as notes , brainstorming , or free - writing .

NOTE: The writing you submit should be your own . This is not only because the Student Code of Conduct requires that you do your own work, but also because it is essential for our assessment process that the writing you submit is typical of your writing. If you get help with your response, you may be placed in a class that is too difficult for you.

Please make an effort to proofread your work before you submit it. At the least, make sure that the separation between pre-writing notes and Steps 1 and 2 is clear.

We strongly recommend that you write both your summary and your response using Word, Pages, or Google Docs and then copy and paste them into the submission area. If you write in the textbox itself, you may lose your work if you have an internet interruption or your browser times out .

Once you have submitted your test, our team of readers will read the summary and response to determine which of the following English courses will be the best for you:

Level 4: either English 1110.01 or 1110.02 (3 credit hours)

Level 5: English 1110.03 (3 credit hours) and 1193 (1 credit hour) simultaneously (a total of 4 credit hours)

Level 6: English 1109 (4 credit hours). After completing 1109, you must enroll in English 1110.03 and 1193 simultaneously (4 credit hours) to complete your first-year writing requirement.

We will send your results to be posted to your Student Testing Profile in SIS. Once the results are posted in your Buckeye Link profile, you will be able to work with your advisor to schedule for first-year writing. (Results will not be entered in Carmen.)

Carmen works best using Chrome on a PC or Mac. We do not recommend using the Carmen app for the exam. The app offers a limited version of Carmen and can make it harder to find and access some features. In addition, your work may not properly upload into the submission area.

We recommend taking the test on a tablet or computer, not your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Placement exams are read and assessed every business day. Unless there is a technical issue or complication with your exam, you can expect to see your results in Carmen within 1-2 business days. After your result is posted in Carmen, it is sent to the Testing Center to be added to your Buckeye Link account. Your advisor will be able to see your result in SIS 24 hours after Testing updates it.

Please email us at [email protected] to request accommodations such as extended time at least two business days before you plan to take the exam. You should also register with Student Disability Services .

No. If you have taken the ESL Composition Placement test, you will be placed into EDUTL or English classes on the basis of that test. Please email us at [email protected] if you are asked to take both tests.

A placement result of 4 means you can register for English 1110.01 or 1110.02. A placement result of 5 means you must register for English 1110.03 and 1193. A placement result of 6 means you must register for English 1109.

If you experience technical difficulties, email [email protected] . We can reset your attempt and allow you to take the exam again. You will receive a new exam and have to begin again.

No. You can retake the exam if you have technical difficulties, but we do not reassess placement exams. If you have questions about your placement, you can contact Scott DeWitt ( [email protected] ) and Ashleigh Hardin ( [email protected] ).

Probably. Ask your advisor if placement procedures have changed since you were assigned the placement exam. You can also email [email protected] .

The best way to prepare for the Placement Exam is to ensure you're able to take the exam in a distraction-free environment with a reliable internet connection. You should also make sure you can devote the full 75 minutes to the exam. Take the exam when you're not sleepy or hungry. Read the instructions fully before you begin the exam. Other than these preparations, students should not need to "study" for the English Placement Exam.

Yes, unless you also took a First-Year Writing course at another school as well. We do not recognize placement exams from other institutions.

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English Language Placement Test Sample

International students applying for admission without providing any TOEFL or other English proficiency test scores  will take an English language placement test during orientation . This test was designed by an experienced team of  Shoreline faculty members  with advanced degrees in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). The English placement test has three sections: reading, writing, and listening. Click the tabs below to see each section.

The reading section of Shoreline Community College's English placement test has five passages. Each passage is followed by five multiple-choice questions. Here is a sample:

"Ted Serios is not a normal person. He was in his mid-forties when he was introduced to Jule Eisenbud, Professor of Psychiatry at Denver Medical School in 1963.

"During the next several years, Eisenbud showed that Serios had the bizarre ability to produce images on film by simply staring into a camera. Together, Eisenbud and Serios produced more than two hundred of these "thoughtographs." Most of them were images of buildings, landscapes, people, and machines. The thoughtographs were created under carefully controlled conditions and the process was observed by many witnesses, some of whom were very skeptical of Serios' claimed abilities. The experimenters were careful to exclude the possibility of fraud by using methods such as medical examinations and X-rays. They even put Serios in a straightjacket and removed all of his clothes.

"No one has ever been able to give a satisfactory explanation for the pictures that Serios and Eisenbud made."

1. What is the main idea of this reading passage?     a. A man named Ted Serios met a psychiatrist named Julie Eisenbud.     b. A man was able to create photographic images by looking into a camera.     c. Ted Serios was examined very carefully by scientists.     d. Electromagnetic radiation can create images on film. 2. Which of the following is true, according to the reading passage?     a. Ted Serios was a doctor at a medical school in Denver .     b. The images that Serios created were limited to people and buildings.     c. Serios forced some other people to wear a straightjacket.     d. No one has ever been able to explain how Serios created “thoughtographs”. 3. What is the most likely meaning of the word “fraud”?     a. disease     b. fakery     c. machinery     d. beauty 4. The word “them” in paragraph 2, line 3 refers to...     a. Eisenbud and Serios     b. “thoughtographs”     c. people and buildings     d. respectable witnesses 5. If this reading passage continued, what do you suppose the next part might be about?     a. some other strange phenomenon     b. Ted Serios' family life     c. the history of Denver Medical School     d. difficulties in taking good vacation photos

Answers: B, D, B, B, A

For the writing section of Shoreline Community College's English placement test, students may choose to write for the higher level or the lower level.

Higher level : a student who writes an essay based on a higher level topic will be placed in English 101, the appropriate English for Academic Purposes (EAP) level, or the appropriate ESL level.

Lower level: a student who chooses to write a paragraph based on a lower level topic will be placed in the appropriate ESL level.

Here is an example of the Writing Section of the English placement test:

Higher level : If you would like to be considered for English 101 or EAP, please write an essay on ONE of the following topics:

1. Explain two ways that some form of transportation has changed urban life.

2. Argue that people should not be allowed to marry until they are more than thirty years old.

Lower level: If you would like to be considered for ESL, please write one or two paragraphs on one of the following topics:

1. Tell about a time you lost something important.

2. Tell about a funny experience you had with a friend.

The listening section has five passages that are tape-recorded. Students listen to each passage on tape and then answer five multiple-choice questions. Here is a sample:

"The following short listening passage is part of a listening test. You will hear a short sample of speech followed by five questions. Each question will be repeated on the tape, but the questions do not appear in the test booklet. You may take notes on the provided piece of paper. When you answer the questions, be sure to mark your answers on the scantron and not on the test booklet. Your notes will be collected after the test."

Listening passage one

"The banjo is a musical instrument which originated in Africa. Because African music is very much based on rhythm, the banjo looks very much like a drum and probably developed from a drum. It also has a neck and from four to six strings. The banjo was probably brought from Africa to America by slaves in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the United States, white country musicians began using the banjo to play their dance music. Eventually, the four-string banjo became an integral part of early jazz, called Dixieland and the five-string banjo became the foundation of a kind of fast country music called bluegrass.

"Listen to the following questions and mark your answers on your scantron sheet." 

1.   What is a banjo?     a. a musical instrument     b. a slave     c. a kind of music     d. a dance 2.  Where did the banjo originate?     a. in Asia     b. in Europe     c. In Africa     d. In America 3.  What are two kinds of music in which the banjo is used?     a. four-string and five-string     b. rhythm and strings     c. the 16th and 17th century     d. dixieland and bluegrass 4.  What would be the most likely source of this listen passage?     a. a music appreciation lecture     b. a radio advertisement     c. a political speech     d. a TV situation comedy

5.  If this listening passage continued, what would the next topic probably be?     a. types of drums in Africa     b. the problem of slavery in America     c. some famous banjo players     d. classical music today

Answers: A, C, D, A, C

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Writing Placement Exam

All students are required to take the Writing Placement Exam to ensure that they are adequately prepared for the challenges of College Writing (L59 111-120), the University’s first-year writing requirement. Our objective in requiring this exam is to ensure that all students possess the skills and receive the support they need to succeed in College Writing and future courses at Washington University.

The Writing Placement Exam asks students to produce one essay in response to a short reading. Students will also complete a self-assessment, in which they can provide some contextual information about their previous training in writing, strengths and weaknesses, etc. This timed exam is administered through Canvas via email invitation. Students will be notified of their placement within 14 business days of completing the exam.

Before taking College Writing, some students may be required to take one or more preparatory courses. Students placed in preparatory courses must successfully complete those courses by earning a C- or better in successive semesters before they may take College Writing. To find out when these courses are offered, consult online course listings . Students may also receive recommendations about concurrent College Writing support or other university resources.

Please note: Students who fail to take the exam will be automatically enrolled in the lowest preparatory course in the sequence and will not be allowed to attend College Writing on the first day of fall classes.

The resulting placement of this exam is not meant to disrupt your academic plans at Washington University. Instead, the placement measures your strengths in writing and figures your best sequence of writing courses to fulfill the University's first-year writing requirement. 

Preparatory Writing Courses

L59 1001. foundations of academic writing.

This course is required of some students before they take College Writing (L59 111-120) (placement to be determined by the department). Students explore various aspects of the writing process, attending to matters of style and developing their skills of analysis and critique. They consider the choices writers make in relation to audience and purpose and examine the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of various argumentative strategies. Particular attention is paid to reading comprehension, critical thinking, and organization of ideas. The course does not by itself satisfy the University Writing Requirement, and must be taken for a letter grade. Credit 3 units.

L59 199. Language Support for English Composition

This course is designed to support students concurrently enrolled in Foundations of Academic Writing (L59 1001). Course activities are tailored to address language issues that arise in students' writing for L59 1001. By raising students' awareness of their individual strengths and weaknesses in written English and by teaching systematic approaches to editing their own writing, this course helps students build independence in producing more polished works of academic writing in English. Credit 1 unit.

L59 1511. Critical Reading and Analytical Writing

This course focuses on developing the reading and writing skills needed to excel at the college level. Students apply principles of logical argumentation in order to critically read argumentative writing. They then develop analytical essays in response to these arguments. Students write four main papers of two drafts apiece. At the same time, the course addresses the clarity and accuracy of students' written English through ample written feedback, occasional lessons devoted to language issues common among course participants, and occasional individual tutorial meetings. To ensure that all students achieve strong reading and writing skills, the University requires undergraduate students to pass L59 CWP 1511 with a C- or better. Students who receive a D+ or lower are required to retake the course and earn a C- or better before advancing to the next course in the sequence. Credit 3 units.

Taking the Placement Exam

This timed exam is administered through Canvas via email invitation. Students will be notified of their placement within 14 business days of completing the exam.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Wpe instructions 1 - canvas course.png.

• Please note that you must complete the steps of the Writing Placement in order. Click on Academic Integrity Statement to begin.  

WPE Instructions 2 - Academic Integrity.png

WPE Instructions 3 - Writing Placement

WPE Instructions 4 - OK.png

WPE Instructions 5 - Text Box.png

WPE Instructions 6 - Self Assessment.png

WPE Instructions 7 - Additional Writing

WPE Instructions 8 - File Upload

• If you attempt the exam and submit by Friday of any week during the submission period, you will be notified via email of your placement within 14 business days. Only then, and after your advisor's approval, can you enroll in College Writing (L59 111-120), Language Support for English Composition (L59 199), Foundations of Academic Writing (L59 1001), or Critical Reading and Analytical Writing (L59 1511).

Testing Accomodations

Students wanting to use their disability-related accommodations for the writing placement exam need to email a copy of the WashU Accommodation Letter from Disability Resources to [email protected] and we will implement your accommodations accordingly.

If you have not yet registered with Disability Resources you can do so through the Disability Resources website or email them with any questions at [email protected]

If you have further questions, check out our FAQ page or  contact us .

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What Is In an English Placement Test?

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An English Placement Test is used by a college or university to determine the level of English classes at which new students will begin their studies. Some colleges and universities use national, standardized exams such as the ACCUPLACER English test, while others create their own tests. A typical English Placement Test aims to measure your use and understanding of formal written English. Most tests will include a variety of question types, possibly including: sentence completion, vocabulary ability, rephrasing, synonym recognition, antonym recognition. Many English Placement Tests also include an essay which is scored based on development, organization, and mechanics.

A strong score on an English Placement Test can potentially allow a new student to save time and tuition money by placing out of remedial and introductory English classes. Students who succeed on an English Placement Test can begin their studies in higher-level courses that are more relevant to their interests

The reading and writing skills that are evaluated by an English Placement Test are essential to academic and career success across a variety of fields. Being able to reading critically and write clearly opens doors.

Regardless of what forms of questions you get on an English assessment test, it is important to do well, as this section plays a major role in determining whether or not you have the ability to express thoughts and ideas in both an academic and professional manner.

The best way to improve your writing and grammar is to read as much formal English as you can. If you read books and articles about a range of subjects that interest you, you will subconsciously pick up the patterns of strong writing. For more practice, write summaries and responses to what you read and show them to friends, family members, teachers, or mentors. How do they respond to your writing? Are the main ideas of the original text clear to them? What do they think is clear and effective about your writing, and what do they think should be revised?

Read carefully. Remember: English assessment questions are designed to test your use of English as well as your understanding. Very often, a quick glance on a question leads to misunderstanding what it is you are being asked to do. English Placement Tests expect you to notice subtle differences in meaning between words and phrases. In order to recognize these differences, it is essential to pay attention. Look up words you don't understand. During the English assessment test, you are almost certain to come across some form of vocabulary questions. The beauty of vocabulary is that you can practice it on an everyday basis- just keep an eye out for unfamiliar words, and look them up.

If you have studied other languages besides English, you can apply your skills back to English. There isn't usually direct correspondence between English grammar and other languages' grammar, but you can draw upon your skills in paying close attention, noticing patterns, and building vocabulary.  Practice with sample questions! The best way to prepare for any form of testing is with questions based on that material. With our English Placement Test practice pack, you can prepare with a variety of English writing practice questions.

Within almost any academic application process in America, there is an English Placement Test. A strong score on an English Placement test can mean direct qualification for specific courses, and, consequentially, a faster journey towards your academic and career-based goals. To help you get a strong score, TestPrep-Online offers practice tools specifically designed to cover all relevant exam material. With hundreds of questions and detailed explanations to practice with, you are guaranteed to feel more confident, and more prepared. Topics covered by our practice tools include:

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It is highly recommended to come prepared for any form of English placement testing. Practice will ensure comfort with the material, and will increase your confidence to the level needed to succeed. TestPrep-Online now offers an English Placement Test practice pack, covering almost any type of question you can expect on an English assessment test. With English writing placement practice tests, questions, and guides, you are sure to feel confident expressing yourself in a clear, academic manner.

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ACCUPLACER, CogAT, NNAT, SSAT, OLSAT, NYC, TEAS, Wonderlic, and SCAT are trademarks and property of their respective trademark holders. The trademark holders are not affiliated with TestPrep-Online or this website.

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Placement tests

After being accepted to suny adirondack, you will receive an email directing you to sign up for placement testing in math, reading comprehension and writing..

Results from these Accuplacer tests are used to place you in first-semester math and English courses, where you will have the greatest opportunity to succeed. You will be able to review your placement test scores with an advisor when you meet to register for your first semester.

Accuplacer was designed to help you be successful in college. Your scores help your advisor place you in courses that make the best use of your skills and strengths. Once your academic needs are identified, we can provide you with the support you need to be successful at SUNY Adirondack.

About placement tests

Accuplacer tests include:

• Reading comprehension: This test has 20 questions designed to measure how well you understand what you read. Some of the questions ask you to choose how sentences are related. Other questions will test your comprehension of reading passages.
• Writing sample: You may be asked to complete a writing sample in which you write a brief essay responding to one of two questions.      
• Arithmetic: This test measures your understanding of basic arithmetic concepts and your ability to perform basic arithmetic functions. Problems on this test will involve addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals and percentages.
• Algebra: This test covers various algebra concepts.
• College-level mathematics: This test has 20 questions and covers intermediate algebra through pre-calculus. The topics include algebraic operations, coordinate geometry and functions and trigonometry.

What the results mean

The scores from your placement tests determine the level of math and English courses you are able to register for in your first semester at SUNY Adirondack. The level of first-semester courses can greatly affect the amount of time required to graduate, as well as the total cost of your education.

Students taking the placement tests should take them seriously. If you have been out of school for some time, it will be helpful to review English, arithmetic and basic algebra before taking the placement tests. 

If you have taken and passed college-level math and English courses in the past, you may be eligible to have placement tests waived. 

You will need to provide the Center for Student Success with a copy of your transcript before an evaluation can be made. An unofficial transcript will be accepted.

Preparing for the tests

We recommend everyone prepare for the placement tests. If you are a high school student or recent graduate who has typically earned high grades, you may want to look at some sample questions and become familiar with the test format. If you struggled in high school or have been out of school for several years, we highly recommend you spend more time reviewing basic algebra concepts and English language skills. 

The following are great ways to prepare:

• GED and SAT I review books
• Accuplacer has a free study app
• Accuplacer Study Guide
• Next Generation Reading Sample Questions
• Next Generation Arithmetic Sample Questions
• Next Generation Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra & Statistics Sample Questions
• Next Generation Advanced Algebra and Functions Sample Questions

Testing accommodations

Need testing accommodations? Our Accessibility Services Office (ASO) will help ensure you have the resources you need to succeed.

Contact Student Success

Jenny Postlethwaite

• Director of College Access and Student Success

Brian Holtz

• Assistant director of Student Success

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Writing Placement

Welcome to UWP Writing Placement!  Please read through the important placement information on this page.  After reading, please proceed to the Writing Placement website by clicking below.  

Purpose of the Placement

Research has shown that test scores aren’t an accurate indicator of your success as a writer. To more accurately place you into one of our three writing courses, we would like to read a writing sample that is more reflective of the processes writers engage in when they write.

Your Writing Placement

Your writing placement will consist of three parts:

An essay: an original essay based on one of three writing prompts.

A revision plan: a plan for how you might improve your essay if you had more time.

A survey: a survey about your writing experiences creates a snapshot of your incoming freshman class as writers for the University Writing Program.

How Your Placement Is Read

Your placement is anonymously read by experienced instructors in the University Writing Program, and you will be placed into WRIT 1010, 1110, or 1120 based on their evaluation of your placement.  

Essays that place into WRIT 1120, our most advanced writing course, answer the prompt fully, have a focused main claim that is developed with specific evidence, demonstrates adaptation of structures taught in high school, use varied and complex sentence structures, and have few sentence-level errors.

Notes on Completing Your Placement

• You need to be an undergraduate student entering BGSU and have access to your BGSU email account to access and write your placement.
• Do not obtain any form of assistance while taking the Writing Placement. This includes consulting with a teacher, parent, or friend for proofreading or editing your written essay. This extends to the use of artificial intelligence language models like ChatGPT. It is imperative that you honor this important part of the placement guidelines. It is to your disadvantage to receive a score higher than your actual abilities. A score that is too high would place you in a course beyond your capabilities with a limited probability of success.

You have 24 hours to complete your placement, which gives you time to explore ideas, draft your essay, revise to improve, and edit to polish. We’re looking to see what you can produce when given more than the standard two-hours in standardized tests, so make the most of the time given you. Your placement determines how many writing classes you are required to take!

You may access the site an unlimited number of times within the 24-hour period, and you may submit your placement at any point within the same 24-hour period. When the 24-hour window ends, however, you will no longer be able to submit work.

You are required to wait one year to resubmit a placement.

You may only submit one placement for consideration.

Your placement results will be emailed to your BGSU email address. You can also learn your placement from your advisor.

When You Should Complete Your Placement

We encourage incoming students to complete the writing placement as soon as possible or no later than two weeks before your scheduled orientation date. The placement website is online and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

We strongly discourage you from writing your placement the day of your scheduled orientation date or writing your placement on your phone. Again, your placement determines how many writing classes you take.

Message for Second Language and Multilingual Speakers/Writers of English

All undergraduate students are required to complete the UWP writing placement. Second language and multilingual speakers/writers of English may be required to complete ESOL writing courses as prerequisites to the University Writing Program’s WRIT courses. Completing an ESOL speaking/listening placement may also be required. See ESOL Placement Assessment Information or contact [email protected] for more information.

Message for AP Students

Students who score a 3 or higher on AP English Language and Composition Test or the English Literature and Composition Test are not required to complete a placement essay. If you plan to take an AP test this year, you still need to write a Placement essay before May 1 because the AP scores will not be submitted in time for you to be enrolled in your Linked Courses.

I am ready to proceed to the Writing Placement Website (Link)

University writing program (uwp).

215 East Hall Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OH 43403 419-372-7885

Dr. Neil Baird, Director [email protected]

English Department

Stephannie Gearhart, Chair English Department Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OH 43403 419-372-7540 [email protected]

Updated: 06/23/2023 01:52PM

• (201) 447-7100
• 400 Paramus Road Paramus, NJ 07652
• my.bergen.edu

Bergen Community College

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• ALP/ESL Placement Test and Waiver

Bergen Community College administers the Accuplacer/English as a Second Language (ESL) examination to determine a student’s proficiency in reading, writing, and listening skills and may place students in the American Language Program (ALP), also referred to as the ESL program. Students placed into the ALP/ESL program are required to complete this program before registering for courses in their chosen curricula. Students who complete the ALP/ESL program or who have tested out of the program through the Accuplacer ESL examination are then required to take the mathematics portion of the Accuplacer examination.

Accuplacer Entrance Exam Checklist

• Apply to Bergen Community College
• Receive Bergen Community College Student ID#
• Check for Waivers
• Check website for In-person testing schedule and Remote online options
• Need valid physical Picture ID Card.

Who must take the Accuplacer ESL Examination?

• International students on F-1 visas
• Non-native English speaker residents of the U.S. for fewer than 8 years and not a U.S. high school graduate
• Non-native English speaker U.S. high school graduates with 1 or 2 years in a U.S. high school
• Non-native English speakers who passed the General Educational Development Examination (GED) or High School Equivalency Examination (HSE) in a language other than English.

Note: Non-native speakers who have lived in the U.S. for more than 8 years who have little or no formal English studies may choose to take the Accuplacer ESL examination.

What conditions can waive the placement test requirement?

For ALP/ESL placement test waiver criteria, please visit the “Placement Test Waiver Information” Web page for details.

ESL/ALP Placement Test Content

The ESL/American Language Program Accuplacer test includes:

• Listening Exam (20 untimed multiple-choice questions)
• Language Usage (20 untimed multiple-choice questions)
• Reading Skills (20 untimed multiple- choice questions)
• 50-minute timed essay.

Placement Test Preparation

• Students are strongly encouraged to study for the placement exam
• You may find available study guides on the “Accuplacer Study Guides” Web page .
• Review the Accuplacer ESL Tests Sample Questions
• Check out the Accuplacer Writeplacer ESL Sample Essays

Placement Test Fee

• Remote online testing is offered through Examity for a $25 fee. Note: Effective September 1, 2024, however, the fee will be $28.

Placement Testing Options

Option 1 -in-person testing.

• In person testing is available,  on a walk-in basis, between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• To take an in-person test/exam, please report to Office of Testing Services/ One Stop Center, Room OS-102, Pitkin Education Center, at the College’s main campus in Paramus, NJ.
• Bring a valid physical picture ID.
• Pictures of ID cards on electronic devices (e.g., cellphone, tablet, camera.. .) are not accepted as proof of identity.
• There is no fee.

Option 2 – Remote Online Testing

• Students that do not qualify for a waiver and are interested in taking the Accuplacer entrance exam online should complete the Accuplacer Voucher Request Form.
• Please complete/fill out the Accuplacer Voucher Request Form to receive a remote testing voucher code.

Notes: 1. No test will be administered without proper identification. 2. Students are not permitted to use a cellphone to take the placement test.

Placement Test Results Interpretation

If you have taken the Accuplacer ESL examination and have a placement in ALP/ESL, review the “ ESL/ALP Program Details” information accessible at ESL Program Information Web page.

Question or help with selecting classes? Visit the New Student Advising/One Stop Center for assistance.

Contact Information

For questions or further information about ALP/ESL placement test, please contact the Office of Testing Services :

• Phone:  (201) 447-7203
• Email:  [email protected]

Placement Test Results Release/Disclosure Statement

• The Office of Testing Services cannot answer specific questions over the phone about a student or the student’s placement test results.
• All students must come to the Office of Testing Services/ One Stop Center, Room OS-102 , Pitkin Education Center, with government issued photo identification to receive specific information about their student record.
• Third parties never receive specific information about a student as per The Family Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).  For more information about FERPA at BCC, please visit the “FERPA / Release of Student Information” Web page.

Note to Guidance Counselors, Testing Center Staff, and other School Officials

• Please have the students upload the actual waiver request, along with their supporting documents.
• The status of the student’s waiver request goes directly back to the student’s current email address on file .

[email protected] 949-824-6207 Office hours by appointment

2024 Writing Placement Process

All incoming students will be placed into UC Irvine writing courses by UC Irvine faculty during Summer 2024.

Language Tests

Writing assessment, physical science tests, placement tests.

Writing Placement

All incoming students will receive a placement into UC Irvine writing courses. UC Irvine writing faculty will be placing students into courses during summer 2024.

In order for students to receive their writing placements before they attend their academic advising session during summer orientation, students must do the following:

• Complete the Writing Course Placement Portfolio 
• Submit their scores, if they have them, from tests such as AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP Research, or AP Seminar; the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT); American College Testing (ACT); and/or the International Baccalaureate (IB).
• These scores, if available, should be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by July 1, 2024. If scores are not available by July 1, students should submit them as soon as possible after that date.

The writing placement process takes into consideration all relevant information from students’ records. Providing the scores requested will assist greatly in placing students in writing courses best suited to foster their academic success.

All incoming students will be notified of their placements or whether further steps must be taken to determine placement.  

How will my writing placement be determined?

Your placement will be determined through a combination of the following: 

• Standardized test scores from the SAT, ACT, AP, and IB.
• College credits that transfer from another institution.
• Your submission of the Writing Course Placement Portfolio, which includes a brief survey on your high school writing experience, two writing samples, and a written reflection on your writing.

Is there a fee for the UCI Writing Placement process?

A $45 Writing Placement Fee is assessed for all first-year students as part of the Student Service Fee . 

Do I need to complete the Writing Course Placement Portfolio?

Yes, every incoming student needs to complete this in order to receive a writing placement. You cannot enroll in a writing class until you receive a writing placement.  

I have qualifying scores and/or transfer college credit, do I need to complete this?

Yes, we are asking that EVERY student complete the portfolio. 

How do I complete the Writing Course Placement Portfolio process?

The UCI’s Writing Course Placement Portfolio Process includes submitting a survey and writing samples that will help place you into your first writing course. The entire process should take 1-2 hours total.

Here are the steps the process will entail:

• Take a survey that asks you to recount your previous writing and literacy experiences (10 minutes)
• Provide personal information relevant to your writing-course placement (10 minutes)
• Upload 2 samples of your writing
• Write a brief reflection on your writing experiences (up to 500 words)

You may begin your portfolio submission here.

W hat are type of writing samples would you like to see?

For writing sample #1, we want to see the most advanced work for a class in the last year. If you do not have anything to submit for sample #1, see below:

If you don’t have a quality writing sample #1 written for a class this year, you can choose your best work from the previous year.

If you don’t have a quality writing sample #1 written for a class this year in English, you can submit your best work written in English, for class or for a different occasion, and explain this choice in your reflection.

For writing sample #2, choose something from your high school years (perhaps from a class, creative writing, community engagement, or extra-curricular experience, etc.). If applicable, include instructor name, date of submission, and course title. If this second writing sample is not from a course, please include any header information that specifies when, for whom, and on what occasion the piece was written.

Do you want to see a variety of writing samples?

Yes, if that shows the range of your best work. However, it’s fine if you submit two samples from the same class.

Does my writing sample need to be typed or can it be handwritten?

If you only have a handwritten draft, you can submit that.

Can I submit collaborative writing?

Your first writing sample should not be collaborative. However, if a collaborative writing sample is the most advanced work you have, you can submit it as writing sample #2, along with a detailed explanation in your reflection explaining exactly what you contributed.

I no longer have access to my writing assignments from high school. How should I fill out the sample section of the survey?

Please submit any writing sample that you may have, even if you did not complete it for a class. This could be something like a cover letter, a piece of creative writing, or a document written for a club/organization. You might think about talking about some of the essays that you wrote in high school but could not submit in your survey reflection. 

How do I view my placement?

You can view your placement here after mid-July: https://web.due.uci.edu/testing/services/student.asp

If you have any questions about which class you should take, please consult with your academic advisor.

Test Scores

What scores can be used to determine my writing placement .

Scores from these tests: AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP Research, or AP Seminar; the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT); American College Testing (ACT); and/or the International Baccalaureate (IB) .

Please submit any and all scores for any of these tests . Any score that you have for any of these tests can help determine placement. For more information on how to send your scores, please see the “Sending Test Scores” section here: https://admissions.uci.edu/admitted/official-documents.php    

What is the Entry-Level Writing Requirement (ELWR)?

To see all the ways that ELWR can be satisfied, please see the 2024 ELWR chart here .

What if I don’t have a relevant test score?

If you do not have a score, your placement will be determined by a review of your Writing Course Placement Portfolio.

Please submit any and all scores for any of these tests : AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP Research, or AP Seminar; the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT); American College Testing (ACT); and/or the International Baccalaureate (IB) . 

How do I check if my scores or transcripts have been submitted?

You can check to see whether your transcripts and test scores have been received by referring to your UCI Admitted Student Portal .   

I submitted scores when I applied for college. Do I have to submit them again?

Yes. The transcripts that were submitted to UC are not officially submitted to UC Irvine, so you will need to submit them to UC Irvine specifically. Please make sure your test scores are sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. For more information on how to send your scores, please see the “Sending Test Scores” section here: https://admissions.uci.edu/admitted/official-documents.php    

Transfer Course Credit

I took a college-level writing course at another institution. what should i do.

Please request that an official transcript be sent to UCI directly from your previous institution for review. For more information on how to send transcripts to UCI, please visit https://admissions.uci.edu/admitted/official-documents.php  

If your transcript is not received in time for your advising and registration session, please be sure to have a copy or other access to your course completion record that you can show to your academic advisor during Orientation. They can appropriately advise you at that time on your writing placement and whether or not you will enroll in a writing course for Fall 2024.

For questions about the writing placement process, please email [email protected] .