Minnesota State Community and Technical College uses Accuplacer Computerized Basic Skills/Placement Testing to help new students develop an academic plan that fits their skill levels in reading, writing and mathematics.

With your acceptance letter, the college will notify you if you need to take the Accuplacer Assessment Test. If required, this test is available on each campus. Distance Education (online) students will receive details on proctors, test login and other information as needed.

If you are planning to attend another college and would like to take the Accuplacer test on an M State campus, please contact the campus directly to set up an appointment. Do not sign up online. Verification of the availability of distance proctoring for your school must be made prior to setting up a date for you to complete your assessment testing on our campus.

To prepare for a good Accuplacer testing session, come well-rested, nourished and ready to focus on the exam. Take advantage of the practice test links below to better prepare for your test session. Students should bring two forms of ID, including at least one photo ID. Please bring $10 for a retesting fee, in the event it is needed. Arrive 30 minutes prior to your testing time. This will ensure you are not feeling rushed and will also allow more time to ask questions prior to your testing session. If you would like to request accommodations for your testing session, please call the campus test site coordinator at least 24 hours in advance of your session. Advance notice will allow us to serve you based on your needs. Please contact Student Services if you have any questions about Accuplacer testing at M State.

The College Board Web site is an excellent resource to help students prepare for the Accuplacer.

Anoka Ramsey Community College has developed a site which provides sample questions in:

• Arithmetic
• Elementary algebra
• College-level math

ACT.org's resource site "COMPASS for Students" gives sample questions in:

• Math (college algebra, geometry and trigonometry)
• Reading
• Writing skills

Sponsored by Purdue University, the OWL Online Writing Lab offers handouts and exercises on grammar, spelling and punctuation.

AAA Math features a comprehensive set of interactive arithmetic lessons. Unlimited practice is available on each topic, which allows thorough mastery of the concepts.

• Good review for math
• 8th grade level provides an excellent review of fundamental concepts
• Interactive practice
• Explanation of each topic
• Challenge games

Algebrahelp.com is a collection of lessons, calculators and worksheets created to assist students and teachers of algebra.

1. Relax! Accuplacer is designed to help you achieve academic success in college. Your score helps determine where you need to start with your course work.
   
2. Get plenty of rest and eat properly before taking the Accuplacer assessment test. Plan to arrive a few minutes early, so you have time to find the testing area, restrooms, etc. before the testing session begins.
   
3. Pay careful attention to the directions for each question and be sure you understand the directions before you begin each test.
   
4. Understand that this is an adaptive test. Questions are chosen for you based on your answers to previous questions. Because the test is given this way, you must answer each question as it is presented. You may not omit or come back to any questions, but you may change your mind before continuing to the next question. If you don't change your mind and you continue, your answer is accepted and you cannot return to it.
   
5. If you don't know the answer to a question, use the process of elimination to narrow it to one or two.
   
6. Textbooks, notebooks, dictionaries, calculators or other paper of any kind (except scratch paper provided by the proctor) are not allowed in the testing room. Following the test, no test materials will be allowed to leave the room.
   
7. Remember to bring a picture ID (identification).