The goal of this site is to help you prepare
for your upcoming placement test at Passaic County Community College. PCCC uses the College Board's
placement test known as Accuplacer®. Accuplacer® is a suite of computer-adaptive placement tests that quickly, accurately, and efficiently
assess reading, writing, and math skills. These practice tests were designed
to closely match the types, difficulty levels and feel of the actual Accuplacer® tests. The number of questions on each test is the same as what you will
see when you come in to take your test. Upon completion of all the sections you should have a good understanding of what to expect on the day of your test.
Many of the questions on this site contain videos to help you. Please try to answer each question first. If you are not
sure how to answer a particular question then watch the video. At the end of each section your results will be displayed along with the questions,
links to videos and/or additional practice questions.
The videos used on this site contain sound. Please make sure your computer is equipped with speakers or headphones.
In order for this site to work correctly all Pop-up Blockers must be turned OFF
This site was created by Passaic County Community College and is not affiliated with nor endorsed by the College Board.
College Board, ACCUPLACER®, WritePlacer, and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of the College Board. Connect to College Success is a trademark owned by the College Board. All other products and services may be trademarks of their respective owners. Visit the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.com.
Introduction to Accuplacer
The purpose of the ACCUPLACER® test is to provide you with useful information about your
academic skills in math, English, and reading. The results of the assessment, in conjunction
with your academic background, goals, and interests, are used by academic advisors and
counselors to determine your course selection.
You cannot "pass" or "fail" the placement tests, but it is very important that you do
your very best on these tests so that you will have an accurate measure of your academic skills.
ACCUPLACER® is an adaptive test. This means that the questions are chosen for you on the basis
of your answers to previous questions. This technique selects just the right questions for your ability
level. Because the test works this way, you must answer every question when it is first given. Each test
is untimed so that you can give each question as much thought as you wish. You can change your answer
to a particular question before moving on to the next question, but you cannot leave a question out or come
back to it later to change your answer.
If you do not know the answer to a question, try to eliminate one or more of the choices. Then pick from the remaining choices.
Testing Time - The multiple choice tests are untimed. The essay test is timed.
Arithmetic
This test measures your ability to perform basic arithmetic operations and to solve problems that involve fundamental arithmetic concepts. There are 17 questions on the Arithmetic tests divided into three types.
Operations with whole numbers and fractions: topics included in this category are addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, recognizing equivalent fractions and mixed numbers, and estimating.
Operations with decimals and percents: topics include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with decimals. Percent problems, recognition of decimals, fraction and percent equivalencies, and problems involving estimation are also given.
Applications and problem solving: topics include rate, percent, and measurement problems, simple geometry problems, and distribution of a quantity into its fractional parts.
Algebra
A total of 12 questions are administered in this test.
The first type involves operations with integers and rational numbers, and includes computation with integers and negative rationals, the use of absolute values, and ordering.
A second type involves operations with algebraic expressions using evaluation of simple formulas and expressions, and adding and subtracting monomials and polynomials. Questions involve multiplying and dividing monomials and polynomials, the evaluation of positive rational roots and exponents, simplifying algebraic fractions, and factoring.
The third type of question involves the solution of equations, inequalities, word problems. solving linear equations and inequalities, the solution of quadratic equations by factoring, solving verbal problems presented in an algebraic context, including geometric reasoning and graphing, and the translation of written phrases into algebraic expressions.
Click here for a printable list of some additional words you may want to become familiar with before taking the test.
Click here for a printable copy of the test questions with answers.
Sentence Skills
There are 20 questions of two primary types on the Sentence Skills test.
The first type is sentence correction questions that require an understanding of sentence structure. These questions ask you to choose the most appropriate word or phrase to substitute for the underlined portion of the sentence.
The second type is construction shift questions. These questions ask that a sentence be rewritten according to the criteria shown while maintaining essentially the same meaning as the original sentence.
Within these two primary categories, the questions are also classified according to the skills being tested. Some questions deal with the logic of the sentence, others with whether or not the answer is a complete sentence, and still others with the relationship between coordination and subordination.
Suggestions on how to do well and important points:
Read the topic carefully before you begin writing.
Strive to express your thoughts on the topic clearly and effectively.
Be specific.
How well you write is much more important than how much you write, but to cover the topic adequately you may want to write more than one paragraph.
You will be asked to provide a writing sample of 300 to 600 words in response to a prompt.
An on-screen word counter is available.
You will have 50 minutes to plan and write your essay.
Your essay will be scored on how well you address the following:
Purpose and Focus – The extent to which the writer presents information in a unified and coherent manner, clearly addressing the issue. Specific elements to consider include:
Unity
Consistency
Coherence
Relevance
Audience
Organization and Structure - The extent to which the writer orders and connects ideas. Specific elements to consider include:
Introduction
Thesis
Body paragraphs
Transitions
Conclusions
Development and Support - The extent to which the writer develops and supports ideas. Specific elements to consider include:
Point of view
Coherent arguments
Evidence
Elaboration
Sentence Variety and Style - The extent to which the writer crafts sentences and paragraphs demonstrating control of vocabulary, voice, and structure. Specific elements to consider include:
Sentence length
Sentence structure
Usage
Tone
Vocabulary
Voice
Mechanical Conventions - The extent to which the writer expresses ideas using standard English. Specific elements to consider include:
Spelling
Grammar
Punctuation
Critical Thinking – The extent to which the writer communicates a point of view and demonstrates reasoned relationships among ideas. Specific elements to consider include:
Clarity
Depth
Precision
Logic
Strive to express your thoughts on the topic clearly and effectively.
How well you write is much more important than how much you write, but to cover the topic adequately you may want to write more than one paragraph.
Be specific.
You may want to write an essay on this sample topic for practice:
Young people often want the power and privileges of older people, whereas older people often feel that childhood and youth are the happiest times of life. Explain some of the advantages or disadvantages of the age that you are now. Be specific.