Placement Testing

All entering full-time and matriculated part-time students are required to complete placement tests.

After being accepted to SUNY Adirondack, students will receive an email directing them to sign up for placement testing in math, reading comprehension and writing.

Results from these Accuplacer tests are used to place students in first-semester math and English courses, where you will have the greatest opportunity to succeed. You will be able to review your placement test scores with an advisor when you meet to register for your first semester.

Math placement test scores are valid for four years and math tests will need to be re-taken if math courses are not taken during that period.

Accuplacer was designed to help you be successful in college. Your scores help your advisor to place you in courses that make the best use of your current skills and strengths. Once your academic needs are identified we can provide you with the support you need to be successful at SUNY Adirondack.

Accuplacer Remote Proctoring Information

In alignment with campus and state COVID-19 policies, SUNY Adirondack is now offering remote placement testing for our Accuplacer Math, English and Writing Sample tests via Zoom. Please review the below information to ensure that your home technology is compatible with the Zoom system. If you do not have the necessary technology to test remotely, please email us at advising@sunyacc.edu.

Please follow these steps before registering for your remote testing session:

  1. Review our remote proctoring FAQs on this page.
  2. Download and install Zoom Client for Meetings
  3. Test that Zoom was setup correctly. Please use the option to join with video.
  4. Check that your computer can run Accuplacer.
    • The day of your remote testing session, your proctor will need to see that your computer “passes” all of the Accuplacer system requirements. Please make sure to have tested this in advance. If you fail to pass the system requirements, we will be unable to test you.
  5. Sign up for a remote testing session.
    • You will receive an email to your SUNY Adirondack and Personal email addressed with a link to your Zoom session within 1 business day of registering.

 

What you need to know about placement testing

If you are in need of special testing accommodations, email advising@sunyacc.edu prior to your test date so arrangements for accommodations can be made.

The scores from your placement tests will determine the level of math and English courses you are able to register for in your first semester at SUNY Adirondack. The level of first-semester courses can greatly affect the amount of time required to graduate as well as the total cost of your education.

Students taking the placement tests should take them seriously. If you have been out of school for some time, it will be helpful to review English, arithmetic and basic algebra before taking the placement tests. 

If you have taken and passed college-level math and English courses in the past, you may be eligible to have placement tests waived. You will need to provide the Center for Student Success with a copy of your transcript before an evaluation can be made. An unofficial transcript will be accepted.

You may request to re-take the placement tests once in four years. To request a re-take, you will need to complete a brief request form which, is available in the Center for Student Success.

We recommend that everyone prepare for the placement tests. If you are a current high school student or recent graduate who has typically earned high grades, you may want to look at some sample questions and become familiar with the test format. If you have struggled in high school or have been out of school for several years, we highly recommend that you spend more time reviewing basic algebra concepts and English language skills. 

GED and SAT I review books may be helpful.

Accuplacer has a free study app to help students get ready for their placement test. Click HERE for more information.

Click on the links of below for more help.

Accuplacer Study Guide

Next Generation Reading Sample Questions

Next Generation Arithmetic Sample Questions

Next Generation Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra & Statistics Sample Questions

Next Generation Advanced Algebra and Functions Sample Questions

Reading Comprehension: This test has 20 questions designed to measure how well you understand what you read.  Some of the questions ask you to choose how sentences are related. Other questions will test your comprehension of various reading passages.

Writing Sample: You may be asked to complete a writing sample which asks you to write a brief essay responding to one of two questions.      

Arithmetic: This test measures your understanding of basic arithmetic concepts and your ability to perform basic arithmetic functions.  Problems on this test will involve addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals and percentages.

Algebra: This test covers various algebra concepts.

College-level Mathematics: This test has 20 questions and covers intermediate algebra through pre-calculus. The topics include algebraic operations, coordinate geometry and functions and trigonometry.