Placement Testing

This assessment allows you and your advisor to work together to help you be successful. ACCUPLACER scores indicate academic areas where you are strong, as well as academic areas where you are not as strong. You do not PASS or FAIL the ACCUPLACER test; it only determines your current skill level in the area(s) tested so that you can be placed appropriately. You will receive your ACCUPLACER test results immediately and your score report will include placement messages informing you what courses you should take and how to register.

Effective January 2017 all new and incoming students will be automatically placed in Math and English courses based on their ACT/SAT sub scores. (please see the chart below) Students eligible to take the English placement exam are those with an ACT English score of 16-18/ SAT EBRW 430-490. Students eligible to take the Math placement exam are those with an ACT Math score of 17-19/ SAT Math 440-500. *Students with an ACT Math score of 23-24 seeking advanced placement into Calculus 1 (MTH 1125) are eligible to take the exam.

 

English ACT/SAT	Placement/ Course To Take
ACT ENG at or BELOW 15 SAT EBRW at or below 420	ENG 0096 (Fund of Gram)
ACT ENG 16-18 SAT EBRW 430-490	ENG 1100 (Prep ENG)
ACT ENG 19-29 SAT EBRW 500-710	ENG 1101 (Comp I)
ACT ENG 30-34  SAT EBRW 720-740 OR  AP Score of 3	ENG 1102  (Comp II)  *(ENG 1101 Credit Received)
ACT ENG 35-36  SAT EBRW 750-800	Literature Course *(ENG 1101 AND 1102 Credit Received)
ENGLISH PLACEMENT GROUP: ELIGIBLE TO TAKE EXAM	ACT ENG 16-18 SAT EBRW 430-490

 

Math ACT/SAT	Placement/ Course To Take
ACT MTH at or BELOW 16 SAT MATH at or below 430	MTH 1100 (Fund of Algebra) OR MTH 1104  Enhanced Intermediate Algebra
ACT MTH 17-19 SAT MATH 440-500	MTH 1105 (Intermediate Alg)
ACT MTH 20-22 SAT MATH 510-540	MTH 1105 (Intermediate Algebra) OR MTH 1110 (Finite Math) OR MTH 1108 (Enhanced Pre-Calculus)
ACT MTH 23-24 SAT MTH 550-580	MTH 1112(Pre-Cal Algebra) OR MTH 2201 Calculus Applications
ACT MTH 25 or higher SAT MATH 590 or higher	MTH 1125 (Cal 1)
*Students with ACT MTH 30-36 SAT EBRW 720-800	Receive credit for MTH 1112*
MTH PLACEMENT Group: ELIGIBLE TO TAKE EXAM	ACT MTH 17-19 SAT MTH 440-500

Placement testing for future students who will begin in the Fall semester is done during IMPACT (new student orientation) or last chance orientation. For students that will begin during the Spring or Summer semesters placement testing is done at new student orientation day, this date is set by the Admissions Office.

ACCUPLACER is not used like a traditional test. There is generally no "passing score." Rather, ACCUPLACER scores indicate areas in which you are strong and areas in which you may need help. Thus, ACCUPLACER can identify problems in major subject areas before they disrupt your educational progress, giving you the opportunity to prepare more effectively for needed courses. You and your advisor can use scores from ACCUPLACER tests to prepare a course of study that will be appropriate, relevant, and meaningful for you.

Testing is not required if you have previously:

1. Completed a Bachelor's or Associate's Degree.
2. Taken ENG 1101 (Comp. 1) or MTH 1112 (Pre-Cal Algebra) with a grade of “C” or better.
3. Taken one of the following tests and met the listed required score.
   • * ACT English Component Score of 19 or higher.
   • * ACT Math Component Score of 23 or higher.
   • * SAT EBRW Component Score of 500 or higher.
   • * SAT Math Component Score of 550 or higher.
4. Previously taken an ACCUPLACER exam at another institution in the past 3 years (scores must be provided).
5. Taken and received credit for an AP Exam.

If you are not sure if you need to take the test or which parts of the test you will be required to take, the following information is given to assist you.

Take the placement test if you:

1. If you do not have ACT/SAT scores, you will need to take the ACCUPLACER exam.
2. If your English Component ACT sub score is between 16-18 OR your SAT EBRW score is between 430-490, you are eligible to take the English Area placement exam.
3. If your Math component ACT sub score is between 17-19 OR your SAT Math score is between 440-500, you are eligible to take the Math area placement exam.
4. If you meet both qualifications from 2 and 3 above, you are eligible to take the English and Math placement exam.
5. If you are transferring from another college or university and have not successfully completed a college-level English Composition course and/or a college-level, algebra-based Mathematics course, you should take the placement exam.

The ACCUPLACER assessment is administered in the Center for Student Success Testing Lab- room 135 Eldridge Hall.

During non-peak registration times, an appointment is necessary to take the ACCUPLACER exam; calling ahead does ensure someone will be available to assist you. To schedule an appointment please email placement@troy.edu  or call  (334) 808-6241.

You can expect it to last somewhere between 40 min- 1.5 hours. Most importantly you should not rush. Students who relax and take their time are typically more successful test-takers.

In ACCUPLACER math, you will be asked to select a correct answer from a list of choices. You will be provided scratch paper and a basic calculator. NO OUTSIDE CALCULATORS ARE ALLOWED  

The reading/writing section assesses your reading comprehension  on a variety of topics related to grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.

Every student is offered a maximum of two chances to take the placement exam- the initial attempt and one subsequent attempt. A student must wait at least 30 days before retesting and will be charged a $15 fee- payable at the time of the exam by cash or check.

After a student has used those two chances to test, approval from the Department Chair must be given before a student can reschedule and retake the exam.