What Is the ACCUPLACER Test?
The ACCUPLACER, designed and published by College Board, is an untimed, computerized test consisting of multiple-choice math and English questions. It is used as an admissions exam for college programs. It is also used by many colleges as a placement test, in order to make better decisions regarding placing students in various courses. The ACCUPLACER has been redesigned in 2016 and its current version is called Next Generation ACCUPLACER.
The ACCUPLACER contains a total of 105 questions, not including the essay section.
Below you can find free Next Generation ACCUPLACER practice test questions for all five sections of the test: We will begin with each of the three math sections, and then finish with the two English sections.
ACCUPLACER Arithmetic Practice
The ACCUPLACER Arithmetic Test consists of 20 questions and focuses on computation with basic mathematical operations, using integers, fractions, decimals, and percentages. You will need to be able to determine the relevant solving methods from given contexts, you must be familiar with the order of operations, and you must be able to make estimations and compare values between different expressions. The questions are multiple-choice, and they will adapt to your skill level.
Arithmetic Sample Questions
P, W, Y and Z are equal to:
Which of the following is true?
Answer
The correct answer is (1).
In order to place the given equations on a number line, first solve each exercise and compare the results.
To solve
and 
, use long multiplication:
Do not forget to move the decimal point back to the left.
Do not forget to move the decimal point back to the left.
To solve
, convert the mixed fraction to an improper fraction, invert the second fraction, and then multiply.
To solve
, multiply the fractions, then convert the result to a decimal number. 
(Note that this decimal is an infinite number.)
The calculated results of P, W, Y, and Z are:
, 
, 
, 
. W is the highest,Y is the lowest, and Z is lower than P: 
The correctly coordinated number line corresponds to answer (1).
Tip: You may not need to solve each value. Look at the number lines and see if you can narrow down your options first, or even find the answer, just by estimating their position based on their relative values to one another.
30% of the students in the local college are active in animal rights organizations and 90% of animal rights activists are not active in any other group. How many students are both animal rights activists and active in another group if there are 1200 students in the college?
A. 30
B. 36
C. 120
D. 360
Answer
The correct answer is (B).
This kind of problem requires an understanding of the relationship between a given percentage and the proportion it represents (and vice versa). This relationship is represented by the following formula:
Specifically, this problem requires finding a portion of a whole. Isolate this variable from the formula:
Method A:
In order to find a proportion from a whole, use the following two steps:
Step 1: Total number of students active in animal rights organizations:
Step 2: Total number of students who are animal rights activists and are also active in another group are 10% of the animal rights activists
:
Method B:
Calculate the percentage of students active in both animal rights and another group -
out of the all the students:
Now, use the formula to find the number of students 3% represents:
There are 36 students who are both animal rights activists and activists in another group; therefore, the correct answer is (B).
If you chose answer (A), recheck your calculations. If you chose answer (C), you probably forgot to calculate the activists in two groups only from the animal right activists. If you chose answer (D), you probably forgot to subtract the students who are not active in any other group.
ACCUPLACER Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics Practice
The ACCUPLACER QAS Test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions and assesses your knowledge of and competence with a number of related mathematical concepts. The topics include algebraic reasoning, linear expressions and inequalities, plotting and graph interpretation, ratios, and probability. You will be asked to apply a conceptual understanding of these topics, as well as to determine when they are necessary based on varying contexts that will be described. The test will keep track of your answers and progress or regress in difficulty accordingly.
Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics Sample Questions
Which of the following is true?
A. Element A is greater than Element B
B. Element B is greater than Element A
C. Element B is equal to Element A
D. There is not enough information to determine the answer
Answer
The correct answer is (B).
Note that
is positive.The value of
is squared, so it must be positive.
Therefore, the correct answer is (B).
If you chose any other answer, you probably did not reduce correctly.
Tip: Sometimes it can be advantageous to work backwards. Look at the answer choices and use them to help you decide what to do with the question, and which parts are more crucial to solve.
Three identical water hoses can fill twenty swimming pools in two hours. How many water hoses are needed in order to fill thirty swimming pools in an hour?
*Assume that all hoses pump at the same constant water flow.
A. 4
B. 9
C. 10
D. 12
Answer
The correct answer is (B).
To solve the problem, calculate how much water flows through each hose per hour.
Given that in two hours three hoses fill 20 pools, in an hour (half the time), three hoses will fill
pools.Now find how many water hoses are needed to fill 30 pools in an hour, as asked in the problem:
One hour: three hoses can fill ten pools; therefore, in order to fill thirty pools at the same time, multiply the number of hoses:
Therefore, the correct answer is (B).
If you chose answer (A) or (D), you probably did not calculate the correct number of pools filled in one hour. If you chose answer (C), you probably calculated the number of water hoses incorrectly.
ACCUPLACER Advanced Algebra and Functions Practice
The ACCUPLACER Advanced Algebra and Functions Test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions that assess your ability to solve problems related to college-level math material. The questions adapt to your level based on your answers. This section covers a wide range of advanced algebraic concepts, and even some geometry and trigonometry. You will need to know how these mathematical concepts work together and how to solve them in different contexts. You should be familiar with functions, factoring, exponents, logarithms, the quadratic formula, rational and radical expressions, expressions involving multiple missing numbers, and basic trigonometry (sin, cos, tan).
Advanced Algebra and Functions Sample Questions
What is the common domain of the two functions?
A. 
B. 
C. 
D. All numbers
E. No common domain
Answer
The correct answer is (E).
The value under the root sign should be greater or equal to zero. The denominator should not be equal to zero. Therefore, the domain of the functions is defined by the two.
First find the domain of
:
Therefore, the domain
of is 
.First find the domain of
:
Therefore, the domain of
is 
.The two domains do not overlap; therefore, no common domain exists for the two functions. Accordingly, the correct answer is (E).
If you chose any other answer, review the solution.
Tip: These types of questions can get very complicated. Take it one step at a time, and make sure you’ve completed each step correctly.
Given the expression
, what is the value of the acute angle 
that will yield the greatest value of the expression?A. -330
B. 0
C. 30
D. 60
E. 90
Answer
The correct answer is (C).
Remember:
Simplify the expression given in the question -
:Note:
.Accordingly:
The most simplified form of the expression is:
Simplify the problem without changing its meaning:
The simplified form: What is the largest value
can have? Calculate the acute value of 
in this case.Use trigonometric functions definitions and the unit circle to answer the question:
According to cosine definition, the largest value any cosine function can have is
.Therefore,
is the largest value of the function above.Solve the equation:
The solutions to the problem are:
The angle the question is asking about is an acute angle. Therefore
is the only possible solution.Accordingly, the correct answer is (C).
If you chose answer (A), you disqualified the wrong answer. If you chose answer (B), you stopped the solution in the middle. If you chose answer (D) or (E), review your calculations and the cosine function definition.
ACCUPLACER Reading
The ACCUPLACER Reading Test assesses your ability to understand content from the written text over a wide variety of mediums, such as literature, informational texts, historical sources, scientific papers, and more. There are 20 multiple-choice questions, four of which relate to a single literary text, another four to one informational passage, and the remaining 12 as standalone questions on various types of informational writing.
The questions ask you to (a) summarize information and draw conclusions, such as determining main ideas and identifying relationships between characters or pieces of information, (b) interpret rhetoric and analyze elements such as structure, purpose, and argument, (c) analyze connections between different texts, and (d) determine the meaning of words based on context and knowledge of vocabulary. The information and rhetoric questions together make up approximately 75% of the test, and the other two topics account for the rest. Like the math sections, this section is adaptive as well.
ACCUPLACER Reading Sample Questions
PDF is a file format that can be used to present documents regardless of which software, hardware, and operating systems one has available. PDF was developed in the early 1990s as a way to share documents among computer users of varying platforms who may not have access to compatible software. Each PDF file includes the text, fonts, graphics, and other information needed to display a document.
This passage is primarily about
A. Why people use PDF.
B. How PDF is displayed.
C. PDF and its use.
D. The development of PDF.
Answer
Answer (C) is correct.
The passage discusses PDF files and their use. Answer (A) is incorrect because while some of the reasons people use PDF are mentioned in the passage, it is not the main idea. Answer (B) is incorrect because the passage does not mention how PDF is displayed. It does mention what information a PDF file includes in order to display it; however, this is not the main idea of the passage. Answer (D) is incorrect because while the passage does mention when PDF was developed, it is only mentioned briefly.
Read the passage and answer the questions:
In February I switched to a new school called E. Heart Coed Union. This was especially difficult for me coming from an all-boys private school, but there were many advantages as well. As part of its new curriculum, the school offered special afternoon music lessons in order to foster musical students. I really enjoy those classes, and I think the others are okay as well. This might come as a surprise to all who hear me refer to the school as the “no education school.”
This is not actually due to any fault of its own, but rather to the sheer misfortune of chance along with my own creative brain. An anagram is formed when letters in a word, name, or phrase are rearranged to create other words; an anagram is even wittier if the newly created words are related to or describe the original ones. I happen to be pretty good at coming up with them: The letters that make up the words ‘the eyes’ can be rearranged to create the words “they see.” That one, though not as impressive, was appreciated by my teachers much more than when I explained how our school’s name could be rearranged to form the words, “no education here.”
1. Which is the best description of the relationship between the second underlined sentence and the first?
A. The second sentence describes an effect of the first.
B. The second sentence illustrates what is explained in the first.
C. The second sentence expands on the first.
D. The second sentence contrasts with the first.
2. Choose the words that can best replace the underlined word “foster” from the passage:
A. Augment
B. Nurture
C. Compliment
D. Deter
E. Adopt
Answer
1. Answer (B) is correct.
The first sentence explains what an anagram is and what makes a good one. The second sentence gives an example of a clever anagram that accomplishes what the sentence describes. Thus, it illustrates the point.
2. The correct answer is (B) nurture, which means to support and encourage, which is similar to the meaning of “foster.”
All other options do not fit the sentence:
To augment means to “enlarge.”
To compliment means to “say something nice to someone.”
To deter means to “discourage someone from acting a certain way.”
To adopt means to “take upon something as your own” or to “assume the care for something or someone.”
Tip: When confronted with a standalone question on one particular passage, read the question and the answer choices first so that you know what to look for while reading the text. If there are multiple questions for the same passage, read as many questions as you think you can keep in mind while reading, but don’t trouble yourself with the answer choices yet as that may be too much to keep track of at once.
ACCUPLACER Writing
The ACCUPLACER Writing Test consists of 25 questions spread out over four informational passages and one literary passage. Unlike the reading section, there are no standalone questions, and each passage was written specifically for the test.
The level of the passage and its questions is dependent on your answers to the previous ones. The questions are all multiple choice, and they each ask you to recognize errors and/or make revisions for optimal writing.
The errors you must correct can relate to (a) grammatical norms, (b) the structure of the passage or its sentences, (c) the style and tone for the given purpose or type of writing, (d) logical progression and continuity of the content, and (e) the relevance of the information to the topic or its efficiency in conveying the point or supporting the argument at hand.
Read the following paragraph and answer the following questions
1) Despite being known as a popular summer treat around the world, watermelon was once a staple of an individual culture, and it has a surprisingly long history that dates back to ancient times. (2) This fruit was first cultivated in the Nile River Valley in Egypt over 5,000 years ago. (3) It was later introduced to other parts of the world, including the Americas. (4) The ancient Egyptians used watermelons for a variety of purposes, including food, medicine, and even as containers for water. (5) From Egypt, the fruit spread to other parts of the Mediterranean region, such as Greece and Rome. (6) Today, watermelon is grown in more than 100 countries worldwide.
1. Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 2 (reproduced below)?
This fruit was first cultivated in the Nile River Valley in Egypt over 5,000 years ago.
A. (as it is now)
B. were first cultivated
C. has been first cultivated
D. had been first cultivated
2. Which is the most logical placement for sentence 3 (reproduced below)?
It was later introduced to other parts of the world, including the Americas.
A. Where it is now
B. After sentence 4
C. After sentence 5
D. After sentence 6
1. A (as it is now)
In sentence 2, the verb "was" is correctly used in the past tense to indicate that watermelon was first cultivated in the Nile River Valley in Egypt over 5,000 years ago. The verb "were" in option B would not be appropriate because the word "fruit" is singular, and "were" is used for plural words. Options C and D use incorrect tenses, "has been" and "had been" respectively, which do not convey the intended meaning of the sentence.
2. C (After sentence 5)
As it appears above, the passage begins with an introduction to the topic, then takes us to ancient Egypt where watermelon originated. We then have our sentence in question which tells us that watermelon spread to other parts of the world. After that, we go back to Egypt and discuss its role there and the different things it was used for. Next, we state again that it spread from Egypt to other areas in the region, closer than the ones we already mentioned. Then we conclude with watermelon in over 100 countries today.
Clearly, this passage is jumping around and out of order, so the sentence in question must not be in the ideal spot. It does not make sense that we should move on to declare how far watermelon spread, then go back to discussing its uses in Egypt, then back again to where it spread from Egypt. Rather, we should finish talking about Egypt (sentence 4 appearing after sentence 2), then discuss how it spread in logical order--first spreading from Egypt to nearby areas (sentence 5), then to the rest of the world (sentence 3), and then finally concluding the passage with its status nowadays (sentence 6). Therefore, the most ideal placement is directly after sentence (5), as in option C.
Tip: If you are unfamiliar with the rules and guidelines that are relevant to determining what the error is or how to fix it, rely on your intuition. You may just have a feeling something is right because you have seen it that way a lot without ever considering why, and this can be relied on when you are otherwise unsure.
WriterPlacer Essay
If you are taking the WritePlacer along with the Accuplacer, the last thing you will be asked to do is respond to a prompt in essay form. The prompt may be a short passage to consider and develop an opinion about it, along with guiding questions to address in your response, or reactions to similar stimuli based on careful thought pertaining to the subject. You need to show your sophistication of thought and creativity of ideas, your communication skills and ability to express complex ideas in writing, as well as your understanding and proper application of grammatical norms.
You should be familiar with basic essay-writing etiquette and structure, such as a clear thesis statement, optimal organization of thought and supporting ideas, writing appropriate for the setting, and a sound conclusion that follows and brings finality to your main ideas. The length of the essay may vary depending on the prompt, but be ready to write between 300 – 600 words—a basic 5+ paragraph structure.
How Do You Pass the ACCUPLACER?
Most colleges use a placement exam as a universal measure to ensure students are placed in the correct class. Therefore, you can’t technically pass or fail an ACCUPLACER exam—your score will simply determine which level of math or English course you place into. If you are taking the ACCUPLACER as an admissions exam, the institution to which you are applying will decide what is a sufficient score to their standards.
Why Should I Prepare for the ACCUPLACER?
Without good preparation for the ACCUPLACER exam, you may find yourself in a class that is below your skill level, and perhaps will cost you extra if you could have skipped it altogether. Often, the lower-level courses cover material you will have already learned in high school. Thus, preparation is key to avoiding remedial courses and saving time and money.
For enrollment in special programs, you may need a particular score on the ACCUPLACER. Preparation will help you excel and ensure your spot in your program of choice.
In order to prepare yourself for the material you will encounter on the test, check out TestPrep-Online's ACCUPLACER pack. There you will find over a thousand questions that cover the same subjects and skills that the ACCUPLACER seeks to assess, each complete with an answer and an explanation that details how you should arrive at the correct conclusion. While our packs are not designed exactly like the format of the Next Generation ACCUPLACER, they are designed to get to the root of the concepts of the Next Generation ACCUPLACER and prepare you for the material assessed in it.
Our ACCUPLACER Premium Practice Pack includes:
530 math questions, including three tests for each of the three math subjects, as well as three more extended math practice quizzes for each subject.
480 English questions, including three tests for each of the two English subjects, 10 additional drills for each subject (5 drills per question type), and another 16 drills in English grammar, each one focusing on a different grammatical principle.
Three WritePlacer essay guides
Six additional ACCUPLACER study guides
You can also choose to practice only the math or the English tests, depending on your needs.
Practice now to improve your score on the ACCUPLACER test!
ACCUPLACER®, WritePlacer®, and ACCUPLACER Practice Test are trademarks and property of COLLEGE BOARD. The trademark holder is not affiliated with TestPrep-Online or this website.
