About ACCUPLACER
ACCUPLACER Introduction for Students
An introduction to ACCUPLACER for Students will help you to practice and be prepared for the test.
Computer Delivered Testing
You will take the tests using a computer. You will communicate with the computer by using either the keyboard or the mouse to enter your answers to the tests and to supply other information. The test instructions are easy to understand. A Test Administrator will always be present should you have any questions or problems. The Test Administrator has the ability to resolve any difficulties that may occur.
Answering the Question
Because ACCUPLACER is an adaptive test; you don’t have to answer as many questions as on a traditional paper and pencil test. The number of questions on the eight tests ranges from 12-20. The questions will appear one at a time on the computer screen. Most questions are multiple-choice and all you will need to do is use the mouse to select the desired answer. When you have completed the question and verified your answer a new screen will appear with your next question.
Adaptive Testing
Each test is designed using adaptive techniques. This means that the computer automatically determines which questions are presented to you based on your responses to prior questions. This technique “zeroes-in” on just the right questions to fit your skills and abilities. The greater your demonstrated skill level, the more challenging will be the questions presented to you.
- The reading and math tests are un-timed so that you can give each question as much thought as you wish. However, once you have verified your answer, you cannot return to that question.
After you answer each question, the computer calculates a score based on all of the answers you have given and use this to select the next question to display. Because the test works this way, you must answer every question when it is first given. You cannot omit any question or come back later to change an answer.
If you do not know the answer to a question, try to eliminate one or more of the choices. Then pick one of the remaining choices.
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Academic Assessment
978-556-3872
testing@necc.mass.edu
