Accuplacer

Colorado Basic Skills Assessment

Colorado law (CRS 23-1-113) requires all incoming freshmen and transfer students to be assessed for their basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. The assessments are made according to procedures approved by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. If we are missing the information required for assessment, you must take Accuplacer, an assessment/placement test. Students who fail to take the assessment/placement test within 30 days of the beginning of the term will have a hold placed on their academic records. You may also take Accuplacer if you wish to challenge your assessment.

What is Accuplacer?

Accuplacer was developed, standardized, and validated by the College Board, a division of the Educational Testing Service (which also administers the SATs, GREs, and TOEFL tests).

How Does it Work?

Accuplacer is administered on a computer and is very easy to use. Testing begins with the proctor selecting the appropriate set of exams for you on the computer. You then answer a basic information form.

Reading Exam: This test has between 17-22 questions that focus on your reading comprehension. The multiple-choice questions will appear one at a time on the computer screen. You will select your answers by clicking with the mouse. When you have completed the question and verified your answer, a new screen will appear with the next question. No dictionaries are allowed during the exam.

Writing Exam: This test measures your understanding of sentence structure -- how sentences are put together and what makes a sentence complete and clear. The multiple-choice questions will appear one at a time on the computer screen. You will select your answers by clicking with the mouse. When you have completed the question and verified your answer, a new screen will appear with the next question.

Mathematics Exam: This test has two parts. It will begin with elementary algebra questions (10-12 questions). The multiple-choice questions will appear one at a time on the computer screen. You will select your answers by clicking with the mouse. When you have completed the question and verified your answer, a new screen will appear with the next question. If you answer a certain proportion of the elementary algebra questions correctly, you will then take a more advanced test (college-level mathematics). If you are not successful with the elementary algebra test, you will then take a more basic test (arithmetic). No calculators are allowed during the exam.

Where Can I See Sample Questions?

There are many student guides to Accuplacer available on the web that you can find through search engines. At the search engine prompt, type “Accuplacer.” Look for links for “student guides” or “sample questions.” Another website to check out is: www.testprepreview.com and click on Accuplacer for practice tests.

Is There a Time Limit?

The Accuplacer test is untimed. If you need longer than the scheduled time to complete a test, you may stay until you’re finished.

Can I Re-take the Exam?

You can only take Accuplacer once per semester. You will be charged $20 each time you take the test.

Payment and ID for the Exams

There is a $20 charge for Accuplacer exams administered on campus. Continuing FLC students can charge the fee to their student accounts if they present their current FLC student ID card. All other new and non-FLC students need to bring a check, made out to Fort Lewis College, or $20 cash. You must have a picture ID to take the exam, preferrably a student ID, driver’s license, or passport.

Scheduling an Accuplacer Appointment

Students may schedule an individual appointment to take an Accuplacer test during Testing Center Hours. Testing will be held in the Testing Center, Noble Hall, Room 287.

Questions?

Questions regarding testing procedures or making an appointment should be directed to testingcenter@fortlewis.edu or (970) 382-6938.

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