Course Placement & Testing - Accuplacer

The Accuplacer is a placement test designed to assess your skills in reading and math. The placement test is meant to help you be successful in college by placing you in the appropriate level courses. The test is not timed and there’s no “passing score.” 

Every degree-seeking student needs to take the Accuplacer, unless exempted.

Every degree-seeking student needs to take the Accuplacer, unless exempted. 

If you are “exempt,” you do not need to take part or all of the Accuplacer. For example, you may be exempted from the reading section, but have to take the math section.    

You may be exempt from taking the Accuplacer if you meet one of the following conditions:

You have completed previous college-level course work:

• 12 or more college-level quarter credits, or six or more semester credits, with grades of "C" or above from an accredited college or university. Courses completed with grades of "C" or better must include English composition and math. An official college or university transcript is required. 

You have previous Accuplacer scores:

• Reading - qualifying reading scores are valid for five years
• Math - qualifying math skills valid for two years

You have previous SAT scores within five calendar years:

• Math - A student who presents a mathematics subject area test score of 530 or higher shall be placed in College Algebra.
• Reading - A student who presents an Evidence-Based Reading and Writing subject area test score of 480 or higher shall be placed in courses that designate college-level reading skills as a prerequisite. 

You have previous MCA scores within five calendar years:

• Math - A student who presents a mathematics subject area test score of 1158 or higher shall be placed in College Algebra.
• Reading - A student who presents a reading subject area test score of 1047 or higher shall be placed in courses that designate college-level reading skills as a prerequisite.

You have previous ACT scores within three calendar years for reading or two calendar years for math:

• Math - A student who presents a mathematics subject area test score of 22 or higher shall be placed in College Algebra.
• Reading - A student who presents a reading subject area test score of 21 or higher shall be placed in courses that designate college-level reading skills as a prerequisite.
• An official ACT Assessment College Report is required.

If you meet one of the conditions above, or you have questions about being exempt from taking the Accuplacer, email SCTCC Testing Coordinator Nathan Jacobson. Nathan will provide details on what documents you would need to send to be exempt, which may include previous test scores and college transcripts.

If you have been accepted to SCTCC and received a student checklist from Admissions that says you should take the Accuplacer, then you’re ready to schedule your Accuplacer test. You will need the checklist that was mailed to you when you schedule your testing appointment.

Students who have not applied to the college or received an acceptance letter will not be able to schedule an appointment at this time.

The Accuplacer placement test MUST be scheduled within 30 days of receiving this acceptance letter or the student's application to the college may be canceled.

Visit the Accuplacer Test Signup Page to sign up for your Accuplacer Test. If you are unable to register using the web registration system, please call the Admissions Office at 320-308-5089 for assistance. Testing is usually offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.

The basic academic skills test are computerized, untimed and focus on the following areas:

Next Gen Reading or ESL Reading

• Measures your understanding of what you read.

Arithmetic, Quantitative Reasoning, and Advanced Algebra

• Measures your understanding of mathematics through problem solving.

Yes, you can take the Accuplacer at SCTCC and share your results with a different college.   

If you’re testing for another college, follow the instructions below:

1. Please contact your home institution and receive a testing voucher code from their testing center.
2. Once you have obtained this testing voucher code, please contact the SCTCC testing center at 320-308-6007 to schedule testing.
3. Testing for other colleges is not available without this testing voucher code.
4. Students testing for institutions outside the Minnesota State system will be required to pay a $25 administrative fee.
5. Please be prepared to present a picture ID to the testing coordinator. Students without a picture I.D. will not be allowed to test.

Your Accuplacer scores will be used to place you in the right classes. In some cases, a higher score might allow you to take higher-level classes and not have to take lower-level classes. Taking fewer classes would allow you to save money on tuition. 

If you want to give yourself a good chance of scoring high on the Accuplacer and having to take fewer classes, then yes, you should study for the Accuplacer.  

For information on how to study for the Accuplacer, visit the Study for the Accuplacer page.

If you need accommodations (e.g. reader, scribe, sign-language interpreter, audiotape, large print) in order to take the test due to a disability or temporary disabling condition, please contact Accessibility Services at (320) 308-5096 at least three weeks prior to your proposed test date. Documentation from an appropriately licensed medical practitioner or agency will be required before accommodations can be arranged.

Yes. If you don't live near campus and it's more convenient for you to take the Accuplacer at a different location, reach out to Testing Coordinator Nathan Jacobson to make arrangements and have your scores sent to SCTCC. It's helpful if you make arrangements with Nathan before you take the Accuplacer at a different location.