Before you test
Thoughtful exam preparation may generate placements that are more accurate and save you time and money in your academic journey.
Tutoring
Students may receive tutoring in Math and Reading to help prepare to take the Accuplacer test. Complete the Next Generation Accuplacer Practice Test BEFORE your test prep appointment and bring the practice test with you. By completing this practice test ahead of time, your tutor will be able to more quickly identify your strengths and areas of improvement.
To schedule a tutoring appointment, use your StarID and Password to schedule online, see the front-desk of T.3200, or call 612-659-6140.
The Official Web-Based Study App
The ACCUPLACER web-based study app features practice tests in each test subject. It is accessible from most devices with internet access, and will help you become familiar with the content and format of the ACCUPLACER test questions.
- “Learn as you go” tests provide you with explanation of the correct or incorrect responses.
- Sample tests are similar to the real thing, so you’ll know ahead of time what your experience will be like on test day.
- You can save your work at any time, and come back when it’s convenient for you.
- You can review your score history to see what you’re already doing well and what skills you should focus on improving.
ACCUPLACER Practice Questions and Other Resources
These free resources include the types of questions and essays you’ll see when you take the ACCUPLACER test. Make sure you check with your academic advisor to identify which version of ACCUPLACER you should prepare for.
Inside the Next Generation Accuplacer and ESL Accuplacer Test
Reading Test
At Minneapolis College, the reading (comprehension) test provides reading and English placement scores.
20 questions, 12 discrete questions – either single-sentence vocabulary or based on a short passage. 8 set-based questions - presented in two sets of 4.
Download the Accuplacer Next-Generation Reading Sample Questions for more information.
Reading Skills Test (ESL)
You will read passages of 50 to 90 words and then answer questions.
You may read about the arts, science or history. Half the questions ask about information that is stated in the passage.
The others ask you to identify the main ideas, facts versus opinions or the author’s point of view.
There are 20 questions on this test.
Sentence Meaning Test (ESL)
You will be asked to fill in a blank with a word or phrase or to combine two sentences.
The test covers writing skills including the proper use of nouns and verbs.
There are 20 questions on this test.
Language Use Test (ESL)
This test measures your understanding of English vocabulary. The sentences come from a variety of subject areas. Included will be descriptive words (particularly about beauty, age, greatness and size) and prepositions (from, to, at, etc.)
There are 20 questions on this test.
Listening Test (ESL)
You will listen to a series of brief passages with one or two speakers. Following each passage, you will hear a question and respond to a multiple choice question.
You may take notes as you listen and may replay the passage and answers twice.
There are 20 questions on this test.
Arithmetic Test
You will start with this test if the last math class you completed was Basic Arithmetic or you have not completed any math course.
If you do well on this test, you will also take the Elementary Algebra test.
There are 17 questions total in the following categories.
- Operations with whole numbers and fractions
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
- Recognizing equivalent fractions and mixed numbers
- Operations with decimals and percents
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
- Percent problems, decimal recognition and fractions
- Percent equivalencies and estimation problems
- Applications and problem solving
- Rate, percent and measurement problems
- Geometry problems
- Distribution of a quantity into its fractional parts
Download the Accuplacer Next-Generation Arithmetic Sample Questions PDF for more information.
Advanced Algebra and Functions Test
20 questions
- Linear equations
- Linear applications and graphs
- Factoring
- Quadratics
- Functions
- Radical and rational equations
- Polynomial equations
- Exponential and logarithmic equations
- Geometry concepts
- Trigonometry
Download the Accuplacer Next-Generation Advanced Algebra and Functions Sample Questions PDF for more information.
Testing Policies
Testing Regulations
Textbooks, notebooks, dictionaries, calculators or other papers of any kind (except scratch paper provided by the test administrator for use with the mathematics tests) are not allowed in the testing room. Electronics are prohibited.
Further, anyone who gives or receives help during the test or uses notes or books of any kind will not be allowed to continue the test. Following the test period, no test materials or notes may be removed from the room.
The college may cancel any test score if there is reason to question its validity. Coats, backpacks, drinks of any kind and other items brought to testing will need to be stored in the testing room and not brought to the computer workstation. We will provide storage for these items.
Confidentiality
Your test scores and the information you provide when taking the tests will be used by the college for counseling and placement purposes. It may also be used by Minneapolis College and the College Board or Educational Testing Service for research purposes.
Your test information will not be used for any other reason without your permission.
If the data is used for research purposes, special precautions will be taken to ensure that your identity is kept confidential. Any data received by ETS will be held for no more than three years.
If you have any questions about the confidentiality of the data you have provided or about your test scores, you should see the college's test administrator.