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Welcome to the Accuplacer
Workshop
Tutoring and Learning Center
University of Texas at El Paso
The Accuplacer Workshop
This workshop provides a quick introduction to the
Accuplacer, the test used at UTEP for course placement and
to satisfy the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative.
It has been designed for students who are about to take the
Accuplacer for the first time and who have time to study and
prepare before actually taking the test.
Attendees will learn about the test format, the types of
material that will be covered on the test, test taking
strategies, and resources that can assist students preparing
for the test.
Students may also wish to enroll other Accuplacer
workshops offered by the Tutoring and Learning Center:
Math 0300 (formerly BASK 0306), Math 0301 (formerly Math
0300), Math 0310, Math 0311, Math 1508/1320, Writing, and
Reading.
Testing Protocols
First - All incoming freshmen students at UTEP must take
the Accuplacer test first, unless the Admissions Office
has determined otherwise.
Your Accuplacer scores are used to meet the Texas
Success Initiative pre-enrollment assessment
requirement for entering students.
If you do not pass all portions of Accuplacer the first
time you take it, then you will continue to take it until
you have passed all portions or until it has been
determined by UTEP’s Academic Advising Center that
you are compliant with the Texas Success Initiative.
Should you decide to also take classes at EPCC, then
your UTEP Accuplacer scores will count at both
institutions. This way you don’t have to retest.
Your Accuplacer scores are also used to determine into
which courses you place at UTEP (or EPCC).
Procedures
Apply for admission to UTEP. The Office of
Admissions will determine which Accuplacer tests
you need to take. Only the Office of Admissions
can determine if you are exempt from taking the
Accuplacer tests.
Reserve a seat online at http://testing.utep.edu, or
in person at the Student Assessment and Testing
Office, Education Building Room 210, or by calling
the Test Reservation line at (915) 747-5009.
Report to the Student Assessment and Testing
Office at least 15 minutes early to check in. If you
are late, you will not be allowed to take the test.
You must present an acceptable form of
identification.
Acceptable Forms of ID
US Driver’s License
UTEP ID Card
Passport
US Military ID Card
US Alien Registration Card
US Department of Public Safety ID Card
Notarized letter with notary stamp on the
document & photo
US High School Yearbook
NO OTHER FORMS OF ID WILL BE ACCEPTED
Register Early!!!!!
IMPORTANT!
Register early – space is limited. If you have not preregistered, you may test on a “standby” basis – but
you will be admitted only if space is available.
Test Placement
Your Accuplacer scores will determine into which courses you will
place.
Know This/Believe This: You need to take the Accuplacer tests
seriously and do your very best work as your test results will impact
on how much your college education costs and how much time it
takes to complete your degree.
Test Placement
Reading:
Depending on your Accuplacer reading score
you may place into one of the following
courses:
READ 0307 – a pre-college reading course taught by
EPCC (formerly BASK 0323).
READ 0308 – a pre-college reading course taught by
EPCC.
ENGL 0310 – Reading & Communication Skills. A
student who places at this level or below is not
eligible to take reading-intensive courses, for example
HIST 1301, PSYC 1301, POLS 2310.
Test Placement
Writing:
Depending on your Accuplacer writing score
you may place into one of the following
courses:
ENGL 0300 – a pre-college writing course taught by
EPCC (formerly BASK 0303).
ENGL 0311 – Basic English Composition.
ENGL 1311 – Expository English Composition AND
ENGL 0111 – Expository Composition Workshop.
ENGL 1311 – Expository English Composition.
Test Placement
Math
The Elementary Algebra test is administered
first to determine which math placement test
the student will take.
If your Elementary Algebra score is 20-62 you
will take the Arithmetic Test.
If your Elementary Algebra score is 63-120 you
will take the College Level Math Test.
Test Placement
Math:
Depending on your Accuplacer math score you
may place into one of the following courses:
Math 0300 – a pre-college math course taught by
EPCC (formerly BASK 0306)
MATH 0301 – a pre-college math course taught by
EPCC (formerly Math 0300)
MATH 0310 – Introductory Algebra.
MATH 0311 – Intermediate Algebra.
MATH 1320 – Math for Social Sciences or
MATH 1508 – Precalculus.
MATH 2301 – Math for Social Sciences II or
MATH
1411 – Calculus I.
The Texas Success Initiative
Reading students who score 78-120 have
satisfied the requirements of the Texas
Success Initiative.
Writing students who score 6-8, and those
who score 5 combined with a Sentence
Skills score of 80-120, have satisfied the
requirements of the Texas Success
Initiative.
Math students who score 63 or higher on
the College Level Math section have
satisfied the requirements of the Texas
Success Initiative.
Talk to Your Academic Advisor
For specific questions about your scores,
class placement, and requirements of the
Texas Success Initiative, contact your
academic advisor.
The Academic Advising Center is located in
the Academic Services Building, Room
201
Telephone (915) 747-5290
www.utep.edu/advising/
Taking the Test
The Accuplacer Test:
The only section that is timed
is the essay for the writing
test. You will have one hour.
For all other sections which
are multiple choice, you take
as much time as you need.
You take the test on computer.
You branch to harder or easier
questions depending on the
answers you give.
You may use a standard fourfunction calculator which will
be supplied by the testing
office.
Pre-Test Resources
Know This: The language used in the study guides, the test bulletins, and on
the tests themselves is generally very formal, very academic sounding, and
very intimidating. If you’re familiar with the language before you test, then
you’ve already dealt with these issues, and you’re ready to do your best on
the test.
Websites
www.utep.edu/testing - offers sample test questions for you to review and information
about registration and costs.
http://www.milwaukee.tec.wi.us/profile/studentserv/admiss/Accu_Sample_Questions.ht
m - a sample test.
http://www.Accuplacer.nesinc.com - offers another sample test for you to take
http://www.tlc.utep.edu/fallmathworkshops.htm - offers a “Quick Basic Math Review”
www.mymathtest.com – offers help with preparing for standardized math tests
Study Guides
The Official TASP Test Study Guide by NES
Any study guide for the SAT or ACT tests
Software
The Princteon Review “Inside the SAT & ACT 2003 Deluxe”
Practice Venues
The Tutoring and Learning Center (Library 300)
Computer Access
If you don’t have a computer at home, you can come to the TLC and
use one of the computers in the Learning Assistance Lab (Room 326).
You can access the Web sites in this manner.
We also have some SAT software that you can work with if you wish.
Practice Accuplacer Tests
You can come to the TLC and take a practice diagnostic Accuplacer
test. We will then grade it or let you grade it.
Once you know the areas on which you need to work, then you can go
to either the Math Room or the Writing Room and ask for help with the
specific problems that you got wrong.
Study Guides
If you don’t wish to buy a study guide, then you may come to the TLC
and work with one of ours.
If you have questions, then you can go to the Writing Room or the Math
Room and ask for help.
Note: Check in with the front desk and get a temporary ID if you
aren’t a registered UTEP student.
Before the Test
Do not party the night before. Get a decent
night’s rest.
Eat something before the test. A nutritious
breakfast would be best, but something in your
stomach is better than nothing.
Don’t overdo the caffeine before the test.
Allow plenty of time to get to the Testing Center.
Arriving late will mean that you are not allowed
to enter and take the test.
Do not buy a study guide the night before the
test and try to cram 600 pages of information
into your brain. You’ll just make yourself a
nervous wreck.
During the Test:
Anxiety Control
Spend a couple of minutes monitoring your
breathing: In through your nose for the count of
five and out through your mouth for the count of
five.
Try some isometric exercises in your seat.
Tighten various muscle groups throughout your
body starting with your feet for a count of five,
then release.
General Test Taking Strategies
Read the directions—even if you think you
know what they say. Read them anyway.
Since the Accuplacer is a computer adaptive
test, there is no test to write on. But you can use
scratch paper to jot down key words, make
notes, work out problems, and so on.
Do double check your answers before you
submit them.
More Test Taking Strategies
If you don’t know an answer, then GUESS.
Guess smart, but guess. Accuplacer is computer
adaptive. This means that you must answer each
question in order to move on and once you have
moved on you cannot go back.
If you don’t KNOW the correct answer to a
question, try to eliminate the obviously wrong
answers. Use the process of elimination to
make it easier for you to make an educated guess.
Testing Room Rules
The majority of national and institutional tests
(including Accuplacer) discourage test-takers
from leaving the testing room. You are allowed
to leave the test room only under the most
urgent of circumstances.
If you do leave the room, be sure not to take any
of your scratch papers with you.
Also, you MUST receive the room proctor’s
permission before leaving the room. Be sure
to follow the rules about where you may go and
where you may not go. You don’t want to get
kicked out of the test just because you felt the
need to stretch your legs.
More Testing Room Rules
Leave and re-enter the room quietly so as not to
disturb the others taking the test.
Do not bring pagers, beepers, cell phones, CD
players, or other electronics into the Testing Room.
Be sure to turn off any noise makers on your
watch.
Try not to not leave the room if you can possibly
help it as it is usually a form of avoidance. Most
people do NOT come back more focused and
better able to perform.
Know This: Are these all of the rules associated with
Accuplacer? No, there are many more. Pay
attention to your room proctor.
Accuplacer Reading
Comprehension
The Skills:
Identify word or phrase meanings through the
context in which they are presented
Understand literal and interpretive meaning
Understand the writer’s assumptions, opinions,
and tone
The Format:
You will read either sentences or short reading
selections and then answer questions based on
the information read.
Sample Questions for Sentence
Skills
Question 1: Select the best version of the
underlined part of the sentence. The first choice
is the same as the original.
1. Ms. Rose planning to teach a course in biology
next summer.
a) planning
b) are planning
c) with a plan
d) plans
Question 2: You are asked to rewrite a sentence in your mind. You will
be told how to begin your new sentence. Your new sentence should be
well written and should have essentially the same meaning as the
original sentence.
2.
Being a female jockey, she was often
interviewed.
Rewrite, beginning with “She was often
interviewed…”
The next words should be
a) on account of she was
b) by her being
c) because she was
d) being as she was
Question 3: Reading Comprehension. You will read a statement or
passage and then choose the best answer to the question. Answer the
question on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage
There are two types of pottery that I do. There
is production pottery – mugs, tableware – the
kinds of things that sell easily. These pay for my
time to do the other work, which is more creative
and satisfies my needs as an artist.
The author of the passage implies that
a) artists have a tendency to waste valuable time
b) creativity and mass production are incompatible
c) most people do not appreciate good art
d) pottery is not produced by creative artists
4. In other questions, two underlined sentences are followed by
a question or statement. Choose the best answer to the
question, or the best completion of the statement.
The Midwest is experiencing its worst
drought in fifteen years.
Corn and soybean prices are expected to
be very high this year.
What does the second sentence do?
a) It restates the idea found in the first.
b) It states an effect.
c) It gives an example.
d) It analyzes the statement made in the
first.
Accuplacer
Essay Section
The Skills:
Demonstrate knowledge about using standard forms of written English
Connect ideas appropriately
Maintain consistency in writing
The Five Characteristics:
Focus – Keep your main idea clear
Organization – Your essay should follow a logical sequence and structure
Development and Support – Elaborate and provide supporting details
Sentence Structure – Sentences should be effective
Mechanical Conventions – Your writing should be free from mistakes in
usage and mechanics
The Essay Section
The essay:
Must be multi-paragraph
Will always be persuasive
• DO NOT skip the essay portion. Some people think that the
Math and Reading Sections are all that they have to worry
about. WRONG!
• If you pass the Writing Section of the Accuplacer, then you
will place into ENGL 1311 – Expository English Composition.
• The Accuplacer is not looking for the best piece of writing
you have ever done. It wants you to show that you can
create a competently written, decently organized, nicely
supported essay. Do not try to get fancy. Do not get overly
creative. A plain Jane, by the book, five paragraph essay
works.
Sample Essay Question
Some schools require each student to participate in
an organized school sport chosen by the student.
People at these schools argue that athletics is an
important part of the educational experience and
that there should be a rule requiring participation.
Others argue that students should be free to
decide whether or not they wish to participate in
organized school sports.
Write an essay for a classroom instructor in which
you take a position on whether or not participation
in organized school athletics should be required.
Be sure to defend your position with logical
arguments and appropriate examples.
Del Valle’s Six Steps for Passing
Accuplacer Essay
Analyze essay prompt. Identify SOAP elements
and all specific instructions. SOAP = Subject,
Occasion, Audience, Purpose
Turn essay prompt into THESIS STATEMENT
that answers the prompt question.
Think of THREE POINTS to support thesis
statement.
Turn essay prompt into INTRODUCTION that
includes the thesis statement and demonstrates
awareness of SOAP elements.
Turn each point into a well-developed
PARAGRAPH.
Write a CONCLUSION which restates main
point(s) in different words. Do not introduce a
new point in the conclusion.
Math Section
The Accuplacer will test your knowledge of
Basic Math
Elementary Algebra
College Level Math
Know This:
• Standardized tests are heavy on word problems. You will be
asked to demonstrate not only that you can solve equations
but that you can also create equations based on the
information provided in a specific word problem. Your
reading skills will be very important when taking this section
of the test.
• The test makers are tricky. For each question, they figured
out the common mistakes that students make and included
those wrong answers among the possible answers. Just
because you can create an equation that delivers an answer
that is listed as a possible answer, does not mean that you
are then ready to cruise on to the next question. Be sure to
double check that your answer is truly correct.
Sample Question for Arithmetic
1. 10 + 3 =
a) 7
b) 13
c) 30
d) 40
Elementary Algebra Skills
The Skills:
Demonstrate your knowledge of algebraic
operations
- factoring
- squaring binomials
- factoring polynomials
Find the solutions of equations and inequalities
Demonstrate your knowledge of basic geometry
Demonstrate your knowledge of applications in
statistics, probability, and data interpretation
Sample Question for
Elementary Algebra
2. 2x + 3x + y =
a) 6x
b) 5x + y
c) 5(x + y)
d) 6x + y
Sample Question for College Level
Math Skills
3. If the 1st and 3rd terms of a geometric sequence
are 3 and 27 respectively, then the 2nd term could
be
a) 6
b) 9
c) 15
d) 18
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How long will it take to get my scores from the
Accuplacer Test?
Your scores will be available in about twenty
minutes.
How much does it cost to retake the Accuplacer?
Math retake $20
Writing retake $20
Reading retake $10
When can I retake the Accuplacer?
Tests cannot be taken more than twice in 120
days. You must present the score
reports from previous tests in order to
retake Accuplacer.
GOOD LUCK!!
Visit the Tutoring & Learning Center
300 Library
http://academics.utep.edu/tlc