essay 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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WritePlacer Essay Guide

During the ACCUPLACER test, you will have to take the WritePlacer exam, which requires you to write an essay. Your essay will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Purpose and focus
• Organization and structure
• Development and support
• Sentence variety and style
• Mechanical Conventions
• Critical thinking

You will have 1 hour to plan, write, and proofread this essay.

Your Accuplacer essay is only required to be 300–600 words in length, so a simple 5 paragraph essay will be more than sufficient. Scores on WritePlacer range from 1 to 8, with 8 being the highest.

An essay that is too short to be evaluated, written on a topic other than the one presented, or written in a language other than English will be given a score of zero.

The biggest differences between a low-scoring and a high-scoring essay is LENGTH and CLARITY. Aim to achieve multiple paragraphs with good organization, and this essay should be fairly easy!

WritePlacer Tips and Strategies

• This essay DOES NOT require you to have any outside knowledge. The essay will be based off a provided prompt meant to spark your creativity. Everything you need to answer the question will be part of the prompt!
• You must take a clear stance. Unlike real life where most of our opinions are a mix of gray, the ACCUPLACER essay requires you to take a strong stance on the issue provided in the prompt. Essays that don’t take a clear stance will score low on the rubric.
• Your stance doesn’t affect your score. The test is not steering you to one side of the argument or another. The side you choose doesn’t matter; what matters is how well you craft your argument.
• Don’t change your stance. Part of taking a clear stance means following it through to the end of the response. Even if you are struggling with the stance you chose, work your way to the end.
• Be specific in your argument. As long as you can argue logically that it supports your thesis, no example is “too” specific. One of the biggest issues that writers have with the WritePlacer exam is being too vague and general. If you are using an example from personal experience, using some names, dates, places, and other concrete details can go a long way. Try to avoid hypothetical examples as well.
• Incorporate a counter-argument. While you need to take a clear stance, that doesn’t mean you have to ignore the other side of the argument. The best writers take the opposing side into account before criticizing it and effectively securing their stance as the correct one. This is a great tool to use in your conclusion, although many students include it in an additional body paragraph.
• Keep the introduction and conclusion brief . Don’t take forever to get to the topic. The function of an introductory paragraph is to introduce the reader to the topic in the prompt, and then to clearly and forcefully state your position on it. This should be done in no more than 3–4 sentences. In the conclusion, 1–2 sentences are enough to reiterate your position and leave the essay with a closing idea. Save the bulk of your writing-time for your body paragraphs!
• Use Transition Words . Scroll down to the bottom of this article to see a good list of common transition words. Be sure to use them as you move between paragraphs! Always make sure the reader will understand why you are moving from one paragraph to the next paragraph!

WritePlacer Template

This is a sample outline for the ACCUPLACER Essay. Notice we are aiming for 5 paragraphs total. You may opt for a shorter 4 paragraph version if 5 paragraphs are too many for you to write, but aim for 5 paragraphs if you can. If you have trouble completing 5 paragraphs, see if you can streamline your body paragraphs. They can often be bloated with unnecessary wordiness. Keep the introduction and the conclusion short and sweet.

Paragraph 1 — Introduction (3–4 sentences)

You will want to begin your essay with one of the following:

• a generalization about the topic,
• a quotation,
• a short anecdote to set-up the correctness of your position,
• a historical framework,
• or a piece of news illustrating the contemporariness of the issue.

Admit to the complexity of the issue. You have two goals in the beginning part of the essay: to introduce the  topic , and to express your  opinion  on it. Be sure to place your thesis as the final sentence in your introduction.

Paragraph 2 — First Example (4–6 sentences)

Start with your most-powerful or relevant example. Remember that you won’t have any material to work from, so it’s OK that you don’t have direct quotes, statistics, or other incredibly specific details in your examples. However, be as specific as you can be about how your example supports your position. Anything can be an example, but choose ONE only for each paragraph. It needs to be something you are knowledgeable about and also something that you believe strongly supports your thesis. You have three tasks in your body paragraphs:

• Introduce your example (history, science, politics, business, entertainment, pop culture, current events, personal experience, etc).
• Describe your example as specifically as you can (do not make up fact/statistics; readers can usually tell when you’re making something up).
• Explain how it fully supports your thesis. This is the most important step and should be your main focus. This is where you prove your point.

You should be spending the majority of your body paragraph accomplishing the third step:  explaining how it fully supports your thesis . Aim to convince the reader through very concrete details how your position on the issue is correct.

Paragraph 3 — Second Example (4–6 sentences)

Use a transition phrase to introduce the second example, and then follow the same format as the previous paragraph with your new example. It’s OK to mention your first example, but the main focus of your paragraph should be on the new example, and, most importantly, how the new example proves your thesis.

Paragraph 4 — Third Example (4–6 sentences)

Use another transition phrase to introduce your third example. Then, follow the same format as the previous two paragraphs. Again, make sure the focus of your paragraph is on your new example and how it proves your thesis.

Paragraph 5 —  Conclusion (2–4 sentences)

Many writers struggle with the conclusion. A good way to end your essay is with a counter-argument. Introduce an opposing opinion, explain it in general terms, then refute it. Finish the paragraph by reinforcing the correctness of your own stance. Here’s how it might look:

Despite the fact that                     , some people will argue that                     . However,                     (refute the opposing viewpoint as wrong and/or shortsighted) . Instead,                     (discuss how your viewpoint is more valid than the viewpoint of the opposition ). Therefore,                     (leave the reader thinking about how correct your stance is) .

ACCUPLACER Essay Practice

Be sure to write at least 2 sample essays before your exam. This will help you sharpen your skills and ensure that you are comfortable with the format. Have a teacher, friend, or mentor read through your exam and give you feedback. Use the links below to find our 2 practice ACCUPLACER essay prompts. As you write your practice essays try to follow the above template to the best of your ability:

Practice Essay 1

Practice Essay 2

Transition Words List

Agreement Words

• in the first place
• not only … but also
• as a matter of fact
• in like manner
• in addition
• coupled with
• in the same fashion / way
• first, second, third
• in the light of

Opposition Words

• in contrast
• different from
• of course …, but
• on the other hand
• on the contrary
• at the same time
• in spite of
• (and) still

Causation Words

• in the event that
• for the purpose of
• with this intention
• with this in mind
• in the hope that
• in order to
• … then

Example Words

• in other words
• to put it differently
• for one thing
• as an illustration
• in this case
• for this reason
• to put it another way
• that is to say
• with attention to

More Resources

We have plenty of additional resources to help you with your Accuplacer test prep. Check out both of our practice essays for more WritePlacer practice, or head over to our home page for a full-length practice test.

Accuplacer Practice Test

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ACCUPLACER Practice Test

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Congrats on taking our Accuplacer Sample Quiz. Take more of our Accuplacer practice tests. Everything is 100% free!

1 . Question

The formula h – 15 = 3.2t gives the height h in inches of a plant t weeks after planting.

Which is the rate at which the plant’s height is increasing?

• a. 15 inches per week
• b. 18.2 inches per week
• c. 3.2 inches per week
• d. 48 inches per week

2 . Question

A graph of the temperature T (degrees Fahrenheit) in a refrigerator t hours after midday.

What is the equation of the axis of symmetry of this graph?

3 . Question

It is necessary to find the times when the temperature is 8 o  F. Which of the following is the correct equation to do this.

• a. 9 – t = 8
• b. 9 + t 2 = 8
• c. 9 + t 2 = 8
• d. 9t – t 2 = 8

4 . Question

Which of the following is the equation of the straight line joining the points on the graph corresponding to t = 2 and t = 1?

• a. T + 3t = 11
• b. T – 3t = 11
• c. T + 11t = 3
• d. T + 3t = 1

5 . Question

A wage sheet of a small business shows one employee’s details. The employee is paid $40 an hour for overtime hours where they work more than their usual 26 hours.

What number should replace x?

6 . Question

The graph below is part of the graph of the function T = (t + 1)(t – 3) for the temperature in a refrigerator for time t hours after midday.

For which set of t values is the temperature below 0?

• a. 1< t < 3
• b. -1< t < 3
• c. t >= 3
• d. -1< t < -3

7 . Question

What percentage of students who got a mark below 30 got a mark below 20?

8 . Question

There are 1,000,000 kb in a GB. Guy has 29 GB of storage on his computer. He has a lot of picture files of about 78kb.

What is the maximum number of such pictures he can store on his computer?

9 . Question

10 people can paint a building in 5 days. If each person paints as quickly as the others then how much of the building could 7 people paint in 5 days?

10 . Question

How many meters are there in 21 feet?

In the metric system of units: 1 meter = 100 centimeters and 1 meter:1 foot = 3.25:1

All ACCUPLACER Practice Tests

Listed below are all of our free ACCUPLACER practice tests. Pick which exam you want to take and start studying.

ACCUPLACER Math Practice Tests

• ACCUPLACER Arithmetic Practice Test
• ACCUPLACER Algebra Practice Test
• ACCUPLACER College Math Practice Test

ACCUPLACER Reading Practice Tests

• ACCUPLACER Reading Practice Test 1
• ACCUPLACER Reading Practice Test 2
• ACCUPLACER Reading Practice Test 3
• ACCUPLACER Reading Practice Test 4
• ACCUPLACER Reading Practice Test 5

ACCUPLACER Writing Practice Tests

• ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills Practice Test 1
• ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills Practice Test 2
• ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills Practice Test 3

Our Recommended ACCUPLACER Prep

If you are serious about passing your ACCUPLACER test, try our recommended ACCUPLACER Prep Course.

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Other ACCUPLACER Practice Tests

Along with all the ACCUPLACER practice tests supplied above, we have listed official sample questions from the CollegeBoard.

ACCUPLACER Test Overview

The College Board’s ACCUPLACER test is a standardized placement test used by 1,000+ U.S. high schools and colleges to assist with the placement of incoming students.

The test is designed to assess reading, writing, and math skills on a computer-based platform.

The ACCUPLACER is not an admissions test. It is used as a diagnostic tool to properly place students in the right classes.

The ACCUPLACER test includes 7 different placement exams. The exams you will be required to take are determined by your school.

Important Note: The ACCUPLACER test is computer adaptive. This means that the next question is selected based on how you answered the previous question.

Correctly answered questions will yield a harder question next (and vice versa for incorrectly answered questions).

You can learn more about the exam by visiting the official ACCUPLACER website .

Reading (20 Questions)

The reading placement test is multiple-choice and has the following question distribution:

• Information and Ideas: 7-11 Questions
• Rhetoric: 7-11 Questions
• Synthesis: 2 Questions
• Vocabulary: 2-4 Questions

Writing (25 Questions)

The writing placement test is multiple-choice and has the following question distribution:

• Expression of Ideas: 14-16 Questions
• Standard English Conventions: 9-11 Questions

Math: Arithmetic (20 Questions)

The arithmetic placement test is multiple-choice and has the following question distribution:

• Whole Number Operations: 3-5 Questions
• Fraction Operations: 3-5 Questions
• Decimal Operations: 3-5 Questions
• Percent: 3-5 Questions
• Number Comparisons and Equivalents: 3-5 Questions

Math: Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (20 Questions)

The quantitative reasoning, algebra, and statistics placement test is multiple-choice and has the following question distribution:

• Rational Numbers: 1-3 Questions
• Ratio and Proportional Relationships: 3-4 Questions
• Exponents: 3-5 Questions
• Algebraic Expressions: 2-3 Questions
• Linear Equations: 2-4 Questions
• Linear Applications and Graphs: 2-4 Questions
• Probability and Sets: 1-3 Questions
• Descriptive Statistics: 1-3 Questions
• Geometry Concepts for Pre-Algebra: 1-2 Questions
• Geometry Concepts for Algebra 1: 1-2 Questions

Math: Advanced Algebra and Functions (20 Questions)

The advanced algebra and functions placement test is multiple-choice and has the following question distribution:

• Linear Equations: 2-3 Questions
• Linear Applications and Graphs: 2-3 Questions
• Factoring: 1-2 Questions
• Quadratics: 2-3 Questions
• Functions: 2-4 Questions
• Radical and Rational Equations: 1-3 Questions
• Polynomial Equations: 1-3 Questions
• Exponential and Logarithmic Equations : 1-3 Questions
• Geometry Concepts for Algebra 2: 1-2 Questions
• Trigonometry: 1-3 Questions

WritePlacer Essay (1 Essay)

The WritePlacer essay placement test is an essay test. You will be given a prompt and asked to respond with a 300-600 word essay.

Your essay will be evaluated on the following characteristics:

• Purpose and Focus
• Organization and Structure
• Development and Support
• Sentence Variety and Style
• Mechanical Conventions
• Critical Thinking

ACCUPLACER for English Learners

The ACCUPLACER for English learners is given to students who may not use English as their first language. The different English language tests are:

• ESL Language Use Test: Measures your grammar usage.
• ESL Listening Test: Measures your ability to listen and understand in English.
• ESL Reading Skills Test: Measures your ability to read in the English language.
• ESL Sentence Meaning Test: Measures your ability to understand sentences and their meaning.

ACCUPLACER Administration and Fees

The ACCUPLACER is typically administered at the college or institution that the incoming student will be attending.

The College Board does not charge a testing fee for the ACCUPLACER test. Fees are determined by the educational institution administering the test.

Important Note: The test is often free to take the first time.

Some institutions may charge a fee which is typically not more than $40, regardless of the number of sections administered.

ACCUPLACER Test Scores

ACCUPLACER test scores are made available as soon as you complete your tests. Your score is determined based on a formula which considers the number of questions answered correctly, along with the difficulty level of those questions.

The ACCUPLACER is scored on a scale from 200 to 300 points.

• 200 to 220 is generally thought to be a low score.

270+ is generally thought to be a high score.

Your score report will show the total number of questions you answered correctly, along with your percentile rank for each section taken.

Many colleges will provide the you with a rubric that shows which classes you will be placed in based on your scores on the ACCUPLACER.

Important Note: Remember that there is no “passing” or “failing” the ACCUPLACER test. It is a diagnostic tool that helps place you in the appropriate classes at a school or institution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good score on the accuplacer.

There is no “passing” or “failing” the ACCUPLACER test.

The Next-Generation ACCUPLACER Math and Reading and Writing tests are scored on a scale between 200 to 300.

What is the ACCUPLACER test?

The College Board’s ACCUPLACER test is a standardized placement test used by 1,000+ U.S. high schools and colleges to assist with appropriate placement of incoming students.

The test is designed to assess overall reading, writing, and math skills on a computer-based platform.

What kind of math is on the ACCUPLACER test?

The ACCUPLACER includes three different math placement tests:

• Arithmetic Placement Test
• Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics Placement Test
• Advanced Algebra and Functions Placement Test

What should I study for the ACCUPLACER test?

The ACCUPLACER test includes sections on each of the following:

• Math: Arithmetic
• Math: Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics
• Math: Advanced Algebra and Functions

It is a good idea to brush up on your math and reading / writing skills. You can use a free ACCUPLACER practice test above to begin your studies.

How long does it take to get your ACCUPLACER score?

Some students will receive their scores immediately following the exam. Other students may need to wait 7-10 business days.

We may earn a commission when you buy through some links on the site. Affiliate disclosure.

• Authored By: Dave Evangelisti
• Last Updated: January 27, 2024

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Writing and Reading Placement Testing

All incoming first-year students will compose a brief essay off campus, on their own time. This score along with high school GPA and SAT scores will help determine which first-year English course you will take. Incoming transfer students may also need to write an essay if English courses were not transferred from a previous institution. If you are a transfer student, you will be informed which exams and assessments you need prior to registration.

Our English Department offers sample student essays along with feedback to help incoming first-year students prepare for the writing placement essay. Students are also encouraged to visit  the Writing Studio  in the Academic Achievement Center for free one-on-one tutoring in writing. Click on the links below to access a particular resource:

• Sample Writing Placement Essays for Incoming First-Year Students
• The Writing Studio in the Academic Achievement Center

Incoming first-year students will complete the essay portion of their placement testing off campus, on their own time. Click here to access the Prompt & Submission page .

This essay measures students' ability to write effectively--a critical component of academic success. Essays will be read by a panel of English faculty members at BSU, who will then place students into the composition course most appropriate for their skill level. 

A satisfactory essay should develop a central idea in response to the essay prompt. Ideas in the essay should be organized into logical paragraphs that include specific details and connect to the author's central idea.

In addition, faculty readers expect students to:

• Make a central claim about the topic;
• Provide supporting reasons and evidence for all claims;
• Recognize the complexities of the topic;
• Display competence in logical development and organization;
• Display competence in sentence variety, paragraph development, and usage.

Transcripts

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), students who wish to transfer their placement test results to another institution, or obtain a copy of their placement test score report(s), must fill out and submit an official placement test score transcript request form.

Click here for the placement test score transcript request form. +

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• ACCUPLACER Test
• ACCUPLACER WritePlacer Essay

Prepare for the ACCUPLACER Essay

Learn everything there is to know about the essay section of the ACCUPLACER English test. Prepare for the test with our TestPrep-Online comprehensive ACCUPLACER English practice pack.

Free ACCUPLACER Sample Questions

• ACCUPLACER English Essay: What You Need to Know

How Is the ACCUPLACER Writing Test Graded?

Accuplacer writeplacer essay writing tips, start preparing for the accuplacer english test, the accuplacer english essay: what you need to know.

The ACCUPLACER Writing Test , or WritePlacer Test, evaluates writing skills such as focus of the text, sentence structure, and organization. The purpose of the ACCUPLACER Writing Test is to measure how well a student can develop an argument, using evidence-based support as well as the appropriate mechanical conventions. The student is given one hour to complete the test. The essay itself should be no more than 300-600 words. When preparing for the ACCUPLACER WritePlacer , it is very important to understand the expected outline of an essay. This will help you map out your ideas and stay on topic. Straying from the topic, or not sticking to the word count results in an immediate zero. To help you feel fully prepared for the ACCUPLACER essay, our ACCUPLACER English Pack offers information about the section, tips for writing, and standard examples of ACCUPLACER essay prompts.

The essay test is graded using a computer software known as Intellimetric . Intellimetric bases its grading method on an analysis of a large body of graded essays. The system analyzes factors such as conventions, language use, development, and organization, as well as essay length and relevance. You should try your best to write an organized, well-developed essay just as you would in an English class.  A CCUPLACER essays are graded on a scale of 0-8, with "clear and consistent mastery" of essay-writing required to get an 8, the highest score.  Though many are skeptical about this method of grading, there is one very clear benefit: With a computer graded essay, students can receive their grade immediately, and thus have more motivation to improve. In addition, students preparing for the ACCUPLACER essay can better understand what factors to employ into their writing. Our ACCUPLACER English Practice Pack includes past ACCUPLACER essay samples as well as typical ACCUPLACER writing prompts.

Unlike the Reading Comprehension section and the Sentence Skills section of the ACCUPLACER test, the essay portion is timed , which means you need to use your time wisely. Though you may feel that a good essay requires you to “wow” the grader, remember that at the end of the day, the grader is not a human, but a computer. It is not looking to be wowed by you; it is simply looking to grade you. Below are some tips to help you achieve a great score on the ACCUPLACER Essay :

• Stick to a standard format , including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. This will help you to maintain a consistent idea and will prevent you from straying from the topic. The ACCUPLACER Essay is a test of your formal writing skills, not of your creativity.
• Keep your argument in line ; the ACCUPLACER WritePlacer is grading you on how well you can deliver and develop an argument. Make sure that you do so thoroughly by remembering the main points of your essay, and not going off on a tangent. Each paragraph should be relevant to the thesis, and each sentence within a paragraph should be relevant to the paragraph's topic sentence.
• Use evidence . Don’t worry, the evidence does not have to be science-based, but it does have to be, well, evident. The ACCUPLACER Essay wants to see how you bring a claim forward. Make sure that you do so not as a magician conjuring things from thin air, but as a detective, showing the basis of your argument. What you choose to argue is not important, but how you make your argument is.
• Read the prompt carefully —remember that your work is graded on relevance. If you do not answer the question that is asked, then it will not be graded, no matter how good the essay is.

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At TestPrep-Online we offer you the ACCUPLACER English Practice Pack. In addition to a grammar guide with exercises, sample questions, and full practice tests, the pack also includes essay assignments with full high-scored essay samples from which you can learn how to write effectively. Grammar that you learn while preparing for the other parts of the ACCUPLACER English section can help you write an essay with better mechanics. Your preparation for the ACCUPLACER Reading section can help you improve the organization and development of your ACCUPLACER Essay. Start now! Want tips for the ACCUPLACER math test as well? Try our ACCUPLACER Premium Pack, which has all the material you need to prepare for every section of the ACCUPLACER. 

ACCUPLACER® and WritePlacer® are trademarks and property of COLLEGE BOARD. The trademark holder is not affiliated with TestPrep-Online or this website.

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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.

Testing Center

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*Note: The Testing Center is closed Tuesdays from 2 to 3 pm for a department meeting. All tests and materials are collected 15 minutes before closing.

ACCUPLACER Practice Test

Prepare for your test with realistic questions.

Welcome to the ACCUPLACER practice test page!

Click “Start Test” above to take a free ACCUPLACER practice test!

ACCUPLACER Practice Tests by Subject

If you need some extra practice in a specific subject, click one of the subjects below to get started on a subject-specific ACCUPLACER practice test.

ACCUPLACER Arithmetic and QAS Practice Test ACCUPLACER Advanced Algebra and Functions Practice Test

ACCUPLACER Reading Practice Test ACCUPLACER Writing Practice Test

ACCUPLACER Exam Outline

The ACCUPLACER is divided into the following placement tests:

• Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS)
• Advanced Algebra and Functions

How to Study for the ACCUPLACER

How to study effectively.

Your success on ACCUPLACER test day depends not only on how many hours you put into preparing but also on whether you prepared the right way. It’s good to check along the way to see whether your studying is paying off. One of the most effective ways to do this is by taking ACCUPLACER practice tests to evaluate your progress. Practice tests are useful because they show exactly where you need to improve. Every time you take a free ACCUPLACER exam practice test, pay special attention to these three groups of questions:

• The questions you got wrong
• The ones you had to guess on, even if you guessed right
• The ones you found difficult or slow to work through

This will show you exactly what your weak areas are and where you need to devote more study time. Ask yourself why each of these questions gave you trouble. Was it because you didn’t understand the material? Was it because you didn’t remember the vocabulary? Do you need more repetitions on this type of question to build speed and confidence? Dig into those questions and figure out how you can strengthen your weak areas as you go back to review the material.

Answer Explanations

Additionally, many ACCUPLACER practice tests have a section explaining the answer choices. It can be tempting to read the explanation and think that you now have a good understanding of the concept. However, an explanation likely only covers part of the question’s broader context. Even if the explanation makes sense, go back and investigate every concept related to the question until you’re positive you have a thorough understanding.

Comprehend Each Topic

As you go along, keep in mind that the ACCUPLACER practice test is just that: practice. Memorizing these questions and answers will not be very helpful on the actual test because it is unlikely to have any of the same exact questions. If you only know the right answers to the sample questions, you won’t be prepared for the real thing. Study the concepts until you understand them fully, and then you’ll be able to answer any question that shows up on the test.

Strategy for ACCUPLACER Practice

When you’re ready to start taking practice tests, follow this strategy:

• Remove Limitations. Take the first test with no time constraints and with your notes and ACCUPLACER study guide handy. Take your time and focus on applying the strategies you’ve learned.
• Time Yourself. Take the second practice test “open book” as well, but set a timer and practice pacing yourself to finish in time.
• Simulate Test Day. Take any other practice tests as if it were test day. Set a timer and put away your study materials. Sit at a table or desk in a quiet room, imagine yourself at the testing center, and answer questions as quickly and accurately as possible.
• Keep Practicing. Keep taking practice tests on a regular basis until you run out of practice tests or it’s time for the actual test. Your mind will be ready for the schedule and stress of test day, and you’ll be able to focus on recalling the material you’ve learned.

Online ACCUPLACER Test Prep Course

If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online ACCUPLACER test prep course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The ACCUPLACER course includes:

• 74 Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
• 1,250+ ACCUPLACER Practice Questions
• Over 240 Video Tutorials
• More than 550 Electronic Flashcards
• Money-back Guarantee
• Free Mobile Access

The ACCUPLACER prep course is designed to help any learner get everything they need to prepare for their ACCUPLACER exam. Click below to check it out!

Check out Mometrix's ACCUPLACER Flashcards

Get complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts

What is on the ACCUPLACER?

There are six sections on the ACCUPLACER exam: Arithmetic, College-Level Math, Elementary Algebra, Reading Comprehension, Sentence Skills, and a written essay.

Can you fail a placement test for college?

No, you cannot fail a placement test. However, a placement test will determine what courses you will need to be placed in when you begin college classes.

Are you allowed to use a calculator on the ACCUPLACER?

You are allowed to use a calculator on the ACCUPLACER. However, you are not permitted to bring your own personal calculator. There will be an on-screen calculator provided for you.

How long does it take to do the ACCUPLACER test?

The ACCUPLACER is an untimed exam. This allows you to work at a pace that is comfortable to you.

Is the ACCUPLACER multiple choice?

The ACCUPLACER is a multiple-choice test. The numbers of questions on the ACCUPLACER vary depending on which ACCUPLACER you are taking. There could be as few as 12 questions or as many as 40 questions.

What is ACCUPLACER test for?

The ACCUPLACER exam uses your scores to help place you where you would be most likely to thrive in college, assessing which classes would be best for you.

How many questions are on the ACCUPLACER math test?

There are three different ACCUPLACER math tests and each contains 20 questions.

What does ACCUPLACER test stand for?

ACCUPLACER does not stand for anything, but is a mix of the words accurate and placer. This is because the test aims to accurately place students in college classes they would thrive in.

By Peter Rench

Peter Rench joined Mometrix in 2009 and serves as Vice President of Product Development, responsible for overseeing all new product development and quality improvements. Mr. Rench, a National Merit Scholar, graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in mathematics from Texas A&M University.

ACCUPLACER Test Home

by Mometrix Test Preparation | This Page Last Updated: February 29, 2024

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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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Ramapo College of New Jersey Home Page » Student Success » Testing Center » Test Prep » Reading/Essay Placement Test Resources

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Reading/Essay Placement Test Resources

Related links.

• Center for Student Success
• Financial Aid

We highly encourage students to study/review prior to testing. below are some sites you may find helpful.

• Sample Questions
• Accuplacer Web-Based Study App

Essay Practice & Resources

• Khan Academy (link)
• Purdue Owl (link)
• Guide with Sample Essays (PDF)

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