PLACEMENT TESTING - ACCUPLACER

Why is HTC committed to Placement for Success?  We are dedicated to enhancing our students' chances for success.  Research shows that students who are tested and placed in the right courses are more likely to be successful in college.

What is the Purpose of the Accuplacer?  The purpose of the assessment test is to provide you and the college with information about your current academic skills levels in reading, writing, mathematics, and computer literacy.  This will help you select appropriate courses and support services, help you succeed, plan a course of study with your counselor or academic advisor, and have a successful college experience.

What will I be tested on?
Reading: You will be asked to read a passage and then answer several questions about the passage.
Writing: You will be asked to evaluate grammar in a series of sentences.
Mathematics: This portion measures your understanding of arithmetic through problem solving. Skills in operations of whole numbers and fractions, decimals and percents, ratios, measurement, and geometry will be assessed.  No handheld calculators are permitted.
Computer Literacy: If required for your program, computer literacy skills will be assessed.
 Keyboarding:  If required for your program, keyboarding skills will be assessed.

How will I be tested? You will take the tests using a computer. You will communicate with the computer by using the keyboard or the mouse to enter your answers. A testing technician will be present if you need assistance. The tests are untimed and no prior computer skills are required.

Should I prepare for the assessments? Sample test questions are available for you to review in our Student Guide. There is a new study guide available for the iPhone. To download the new application directly off of iTunes, please click here.

Can I fail a test? NO! These tests indicate your current skill level – not your potential. Their purpose is to enable you to make informed decisions about which courses to take at the beginning of your college career.

Who needs to take the assessments? The MnSCU system is using the placement test to help students achieve success in their education. HTC recommends that all degree seeking students take the assessments as soon as they enroll in the college. Students must begin any coursework in reading, writing, and mathematics at their assessed level. If you have earned four or more cumulative credits and have not taken the placement test, you may be put on hold for registering from classes until your placement test requirement is met.

Who does not need to take the assessments? You may not be required to take the entire placement test  for the following reasons: You have received an Associate or Baccalaureate degree; you have completed comparable tests within the last three years; you have completed college coursework in any of the three academic areas. Transcripts will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Can accommodations be made for students with a disability?  Documentation from an appropriate licensed medical practitioner or agency may be required before accommodations can be arranged. There is no fee for this service. If you need accommodations in order to take the test due to a disability, please call Disability Services prior to your test date.

What if English is not my primary language? If English is not your first language, you will be given an ESL assessment. Please notify the admissions office when scheduling your testing appointment that English is not your first language. The Accuplacer ESL test assesses the English skills of students who have learned English as an additional language to their native or first language.

If you have questions concerning the Placement Testing, please contact Angel Hoglund, Testing Coordinator, at 952-995-1545 or by email at angel.hoglund@hennepintech.edu.