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College Placement Assessment (Accuplacer)

What is the Accuplacer (CPT)? 

The Accuplacer is a Computerized Placement Tool designed to provide placement and advising information for students entering college. San Juan College uses the Accuplacer to help students get into the classes where they are most likely to succeed. A counselor/advisor will go over your scores with you after you complete the assessment.

Your scores will determine which classes you are eligible to take.

If you are in need of special accommodations to take the Accuplacer, please contact the Advising and Counseling office at 566-3526 so arrangements can be made.

The Accuplacer takes approximately one and one-half hours to complete, however, the assessments are not timed and you may take as long as you need.

Who needs to take the Accuplacer assessment?

The Accuplacer is required for all incoming students, unless they have already taken and passed college level English and math at another college. Students can also waive the Accuplacer with a very high ACT score.

Where do I take the Accuplacer?

You will take the Accuplacer in the SJC Advising and Counseling Center, Room 4106, in the Educational Services Building.  If you are an online student, please contact Deb Krichels, ACC Online Academic Advisor, krichelsd@sanjuancollege.edu.  You may also call (505)566-3526 for more information.

What will I be assessed in?

The Accuplacer has three parts:

• Reading Comprehension – twenty multiple choice questions related to reading skills, such as identifying the main idea and making inferences.
• Sentence Skills (English) – twenty multiple choice questions related to sentence structure and grammar…how sentences are put together and what makes a sentence complete.
• Mathematics (Arithmetic and Elementary Algebra) – twenty multiple choice questions that measure your understanding of math. Questions that range from arithmetic to college-level mathematics are included. You will begin with the easiest section, and depending on your performance, may advance to more challenging sections.

How can I best prepare for the Accuplacer?

There are several options available to help you prepare to do your best on the Accuplacer. You can begin by picking up an “Accuplacer Sample Questions” packet available in the Advising and Counseling, or you can look at ouronline version. If you are not able to answer the questions in the packet correctly, you may want to visit the SMART Lab. The SMART Lab is located in the Student Success Center, room 1611 in Student Center building. The SMART Lab offers the interactive PLATO software in reading, English, math, and other subjects. The SMART Lab is open on a walk-in basis Monday through Thursday 8:00 am - 8:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm during the fall semester.  Please call the Student Success Center at 566-3270 for more information.

Can I retake the Accuplacer if I don’t like the scores I received?

Retesting is available to all students. A review of the subject area is strongly encouraged before you retake the Accuplacer. Reviews can be done through the SMART Lab, by visiting online Accuplacer online brush-up sites, or by studying on your own. Students are allowed to retake the Accuplacer one time at no charge.  You will be charged  $15.00 for all assessments you take after your first two attempts. 

Additional Resources

• Accuplacer Sample
• Preparation and Review Page
• Accuplacer On-Line Brush-Up Sites  Word  PDF
• Accuplacer Test Tips  Word  PDF
• SMART Lab Plato Modules
• Student Privacy Policy PDF
• Student Success Center Online Tutorials