ACCUPLACER Testing

Each student taking this test will be presented with a series of 20 multiple choice questions. Questions are either discrete (standalone) or part of sets built around a common passage or passages. Four broad knowledge and skill categories are assessed:

• Information and Ideas (reading closely, determining central ideas and themes, summarizing, understanding relationships)
• Rhetoric (analyzing word choice rhetorically, text structure, point of view, purpose, arguments)
• Synthesis (analyzing multiple texts)
• Vocabulary

Each student receives 25 multiple choice questions. In answering the questions, test takers must determine the best revision or editing decision in a particular case (or that no change should be made to the passage as originally presented). Two broad knowledge and skill categories are assessed:

• Expression of Ideas (development, organization, effective language use)
• Standard English Conventions (sentence structure, usage, punctuation)

For this test, examinees are asked to provide an on-demand writing sample in response to a specific prompt. Examinees have 1 hour to complete the writing sample. Each response is evaluated based on the following features of writing: focus, organization, development and support, sentence structure & mechanical conventions. Holistic scoring is used to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the writing sample as evidenced by how well a piece of writing communicates a whole message. Each writing sample is evaluated based on its overall impression, not on the basis of the individual writing characteristics in isolation. Additional information about the WritePlacer test and writing samples are available on the College Board website

This test consists of 20 multiple choice questions that focus on computation, order of operations, estimation and rounding, comparing and ordering values in different formats, and recognizing equivalent values across formats. The following knowledge and skill categories are assessed:

• Whole number operations
• Fraction operations
• Decimal operations
• Percent
• Number comparisons and equivalents

This test consists of 20 multiple choice questions that assess the following knowledge and skill categories:

• Rational numbers
• Ratio and proportional relationships
• Exponents
• Algebraic expressions
• Linear equations
• Linear applications and graphs
• Probability and sets
• Descriptive statistics
• Geometry concepts for Pre-Algebra & Basic Algebra

This test consists of 20 multiple choice questions that assess the following knowledge and skill categories:

• Linear equations
• Linear applications and graphs
• Factoring
• Quadratics
• Functions
• Radical and rational equations
• Polynomial equations
• Exponential and logarithmic equations
• Geometry concepts for Algebra
• Trigonometry

Testing sessions take place every Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. at TRU Kamloops. For students living outside Kamloops, the ACCUPLACER test can be completed off-campus.

The Reading; Writing; Arithmetic; and Quantitative Reasonings, Alegbra & Statistics (QAS) test scores are reported on a scale from 200 to 300.

The WritePlacer Score is reported on a scale from 0 - 8 with a description for each score. A score of zero indicates that the response was off topic, in a language other than English, too short to be evaluated, or in some other way not able to be scored.

• Determine what tests you will be writing according to the table in the second FAQ queston above.

• Review detailed ACCUPLACER Next Generation test descriptions.

• For more information, sample questions and access to a free study app, please refer to the College Board ACCUPLACER Next Generation website.

• Additional tutoring is available through the TRU Peer Assisted Uprep Learning program (the P.A.U.L. Initiative), Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6-8 p.m. in Old Main, OM2551. No pre-registration is necessary, just show up with questions.

A $38 (+ GST) entry assessment testing fee must be paid before test results will be processed.

Register to write the ACCUPLACER and pay the testing fee through our online registration system.

You must bring picture ID to the ACCUPLACER entry assessment on the established date to complete your test.

Scent-Free Notice: The Assessment Centre is a scent free work environment. Since many people are extremely sensitive to perfumes, colognes, aftershaves and other scented products, we request that no one wears them at anytime in the Centre. If a candidate does not comply with this policy, they will not be tested and they will be responsible for rescheduling their exam. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we need to ensure the safety of all using this space. 

After completing the entry assessment tests, you will be given a copy of your results.

An assessed copy of your results will be forwarded to the Admissions Office and/or the chairperson or lead instructor of the appropriate program.

The entry assessment test scores are valid for one year.

You may rewrite one or more of the ACCUPLACER tests after your initial attempt. It is highly recommended that you spend several weeks reviewing the subject matter before attempting the rewrite. If your scores on the rewrite still do not meet the program requirements, before you can attempt a subsequent rewrite, you must submit documentation indicating successful participation in an upgrading course or tutoring program (click here for a copy of the intervention form), or wait until at least one year has passed since the last testing session. The fee for a rewrite is $25 (+ GST).