Accuplacer Testing & Placement
Accuplacer Math & English Placement
The Accuplacer is a computer-based placement tool designed to measure reading, English and math skills, and provide course placement for students entering college. Results from the Accuplacer test help you identify academic strengths and needs to assist in the appropriate course selection.
The Accuplacer is administered as an untimed multiple-choice, computer-adaptive test. Your scores and course placements are provided to you immediately upon completion.
Testing Services offers Accuplacer testing to you free of charge on a first attempt, and for $10 on subsequent attempts. If you wish to retake the Accuplacer, you may do so at any time by appointment. We recommend you wait approximately two weeks after your previous attempt to further prepare for the test. You may take the test no more than three times in an academic year.
For more information or to schedule a time to take the Accuplacer, contact Testing Services.
If you are unable to test on location at MSUM, we may be able to issue a voucher to test at an institution closer to you. For a voucher to take an Accuplacer, please contact us.
ACT/SAT English Sub-score or Accuplacer English Score
- ACT/SAT/Accuplacer English placement scores are valid for five years.
English Course Placement Chart
English & Reading Placement Information
SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing ≥ 600
SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing ≥ 480
SAT Writing score ≥ 501
Accuplacer NG Reading score > 264
Classic Accuplacer Reading Comprehension score ≥ 97
- ACT English 16-17
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 440-479
- Accuplacer NG Reading 236-249
- Classic Accuplacer 78-85 on Reading Comprehension
- ACT ≤ 17
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing < 480
- SAT Writing < 430
ACT/SAT Math sub-score, Accuplacer Math scores, or MCA Mathematics score
Any student with an ACT Math score < (less than) 19 or SAT Math score < (less than) 510 must take the Accuplacer to be place into the appropriate course at MSUM. Any student who receives a college-ready benchmark on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) is not required to take a developmental course in that subject area. MCA Mathematics scores may be used for MATH 105 and MATH 127 placement.
- ACT, SAT, and MCA Math placement scores are valid for five years.
- Accuplacer Math placement scores are valid for two years.
Mathematics Course Placement Flow Chart
Placement for LASC 4 Mathematics & Logical Reasoning
Undeclared
Majors: Undeclared
SAT ‹ 510
510 ≤ SAT ≤ 530
OR
MATH 134
SAT ≥ 540
OR
Cumulative HS GPA of 2.7 AND one of the following:
- SAT ≥ 520
- ACT ≥ 20
- 1152 ≤ MCA ≤ 1157
- ACCUPLACER NextGen Advanced Algebra and Functions ≥ 236 or Classic Accuplacer Intermediate Algebra ≥ 60
OR
MATH 105
SAT ≥ 580
(March 2016-Present SAT Math ≥ 580; Pre-March 2016 SAT Math ≥ 560)
OR
MATH 143
OR
MATH 229
OR
MATH 261
Calculus Track
Majors:
BioChem BioTech, Biosciences-Ecology & Evol., Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Science Teaching, Geosciences-Geology, Geosciences-Geoarchaeology, Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, Pre-Architecture, Pre-Engineering, Professional Management degrees
SAT ‹ 510
510 ≤ SAT ≤ 530
SAT ≥ 540
MCA ≥ 1158
OR
Cumulative HS GPA of 2.7 AND one of the following:
- SAT ≥ 520
- ACT ≥ 20
- 1152 ≤ MCA ≤ 1157
- ACCUPLACER NextGen Advanced Algebra and Functions ≥ 236 or Classic Accuplacer Intermediate Algebra ≥ 60
SAT ≥ 580
(March 2016 Present SAT Math ≥ 580; Pre-March 2016 SAT Math ≥ 560)
OR
MATH 143
OR
MATH 261
Algebra Track
Majors:
Accounting, Biosciences –Health & Medical Sci., Life Science – Teaching, Medical Laboratory Sci., Business Administration, Business Minor, Community Health, Computer Info Systems, Computer Info Technology, Construction Management, Economics, Finance, Health Services Admin., Marketing, Medical Technology, Operations Management, Psychology
SAT ‹ 510
510 ≤ SAT ≤ 530
SAT ≥ 540
MCA ≥ 1158
OR
Cumulative HS GPA of 2.7 AND one of the following:
- SAT ≥ 520
- ACT ≥ 20
- 1152 ≤ MCA ≤ 1157
- ACCUPLACER NextGen Advanced Algebra and Functions ≥ 236 or Classic Accuplacer Intermediate Algebra ≥ 60
SAT 560
(March 2016 Present SAT Math sub-score of 560 or above; Pre-March 206 SAT Math sub-score of 540 or above)
OR
MATH 227
SAT ≥ 580
(March 2016 Present SAT Math ≥ 580; Pre-March 2016 SAT Math ≥ 560)
(See major for details)
Statistics Track
Majors:
Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Speech/Language/Hearing
SAT ‹ 510
510 ≤ SAT ≤ 530
SAT ≥ 540
MCA ≥ 1158
OR
Cumulative HS GPA of 2.7 AND one of the following:
- SAT ≥ 520
- CT ≥ 20
- 1152 ≤ MCA ≤ 1157
- ACCUPLACER NextGen Advanced Algebra and Functions ≥ 236 or Classic Accuplacer Intermediate Algebra ≥ 60
SAT ≥ 580
(March 2016 SAT Math ≥ 560)
Education Track
Majors:
Elementary Inclusive Education, Early Childhood, Special Education
SAT ‹ 510
510 ≤ SAT ≤ 530
SAT ≥ 530
MCA ≥ 1158
OR
Cumulative HS GPA of 2.7 AND one of the following:
- SAT ≥ 520
- ACT ≥ 20
- 1152 ≤ MCA ≤ 1157
- ACCUPLACER NextGen Advanced Algebra and Functions ≥ 236 or Classic Accuplacer Intermediate Algebra ≥ 60
SAT ≥ 580
(March 2016 Present SAT Math ≥ 580; Pre-March 2016 SAT Math ≥ 560)
Liberal Arts Track
Majors:
Amer. Multicult. Studies, Anthropology, Art, Communication Studies (Mass Comm), Criminal Justice, East Asian Studies, English, Film Studies, Geoscience-Geographic Science only, Gerontology, Graphic Communications, Health, History, International Studies, Languages, Legal Studies, Music, Nursing, Paralegal, Philosophy, Political Science, Social Studies, Social Work, Sociology, Theatre, Women’s Studies
SAT ‹ 510
510 ≤ SAT ≤ 530
OR
PHIL 340
SAT ≥ 540
MCA ≥ 1158
OR
Cumulative HS GPA of 2.7 AND one of the following:
- SAT ≥ 520
- ACT ≥ 20
- 1152 ≤ MCA ≤ 1157
- ACCUPLACER NextGen Advanced Algebra and Functions ≥ 236 or Classic Accuplacer Intermediate Algebra ≥ 60
OR
MATH 127
OR
MATH 134
OR
PHIL 340
SAT ≥ 580
(March 2016 Present SAT Math ≥ 580; Pre-March 2016 SAT Math ≥ 560
OR
MATH 127 or higher Math
OR
PHIL 340
Accuplacer for LASC 4 Placement Next Gen Accuplacer Scores (NGA)
OR
Math 261 (if accompanied by prereq knowledge of trigonometry)
OR
Math 095
AAF ≥ 234
*Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS), Advanced Algebra and Functions (AAF)
Classic Accuplacer Test Scores
OR
AR + EA ≥ 100
OR
*MATH 095
OR
MATH 261 (See LASC 4 Table for details)
*Arithmetic (AR), Elementary Algebra (EA), Intermediate Algebra (IA), College Mathematics (CLM)
Accuplacer Tips & Resources
Accuplacer Tips:
- Get plenty of sleep and eat well in the week before your test. If you are overtired, you may have poor concentration and good nutrition allows for optimal performance.
- Arrive at the testing center 10 minutes prior to your appointed time. This will ensure you have plenty of time to get checked in and be well prepared.
- Accuplacer is meant to give an accurate measurement of your academic skills. It is not a pass/fail test.
- There is no time limit on Math and English tests, so you can focus on doing your best to demonstrate your skills.
- All Accuplacer tests are computerized using a multiple choice format. If you need accommodations for this exam, please address those needs when you make the appointment.
Additional Math Preparation:
Reviewing topics prior to placement testing could prepare you to take the mathematics courses you need for you major sooner. The MSUM Mathematics Learning Center provides free access to a practice tool for incoming and current MSUM students called MyMathTest.com. If you are interested in using this tool contact Testing Services for the access code and program ID.
Accuplacer Test Information Official Free Web-based Study App