College Planning for Adults

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Students who have recently graduated from United States high schools are usually expected to provide colleges with SAT or ACT scores.

Most adults going to college for the first time are not expected to provide these scores. Instead most community colleges expect students to take a placement test after they have been accepted at the school.

Types of Placement Tests

The placement test determines how prepared you are to do college level work. Some of you will need to brush up on your reading and writing skills, some of you will not.

All community colleges do not use the same placement tests. You should look at the school’s website to determine which test they use. There are three main placement tests. They test math, reading and writing abilities.

The Accuplacer or CPT– computer test

To practice for the Accuplacer test, check out the Test Prep Review website at
http://www.testprepreview.com
/accuplacer_practice.htm.

You can also check your college’s website to see if they offer a sample test. Usually, information about placement testing can be found in the Admissions section of the site.

The Compass – computer test

To see what kinds of questions are on the Compass test check out the ACT’s website at
http://www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html.

The Asset – paper/pencil test

To see what kinds of questions are on the Asset Test, check out
http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/index.html

Other:

Some schools use their own test. It can be either computerized or a paper/pencil test.

While you do not have the option of choosing which type of placement test (computerized or paper/pencil) you want to take, it is always good to know what the good and bad points are of both.

The Benefits of taking a computerized test:

  • There are fewer questions.
  • The questions match your ability. For example: if you answer a question incorrectly, the next question will not be harder.
  • It is not timed. You can take as much time as you need.
  • You receive your scores immediately.

The Problems with taking a computerized test:

  • You cannot check your answers after you have finished the test.
  • Reading a computer screen can be difficult for some people.
  • For the math section, you have to work out the problem on scrap paper and then input the correct answer in the computer.
  • The computer mouse can be difficult to use if you are new to computers.

PAPER/PENCIL TEST

The Benefits of taking a paper/pencil test:

  • You can check your answers when you are done.
  • You do not need to know how to use a computer to take it.
  • You can work out the problems right in the test booklet.

The Problems with taking a paper/pencil test:

  • The test is timed. For example, you may have to complete 25 questions within 35 minutes.
  • The difficulty of the question will not adjust for your ability. In a paper test, the questions tend to get harder.
  • You may not receive your scores for a few days or weeks.

YOU CANNOT FAIL A PLACEMENT TEST

But this does not mean you should not study! The Internet offers many websites to help you study. You can type in the words “Accuplacer test practice” in a search engine and it will give you websites that have hints and practice questions. If you’re really lucky, your school’s website will have test prep or links to other test prep websites.

If your access to the web is limited, you can always go to the library and take out a few GED test practice books in Math and Language Arts.

STUDY FOR IT

The test determines what courses you should be placed in. If you don’t do well on the math section because you don’t remember how to do fractions, you may be placed in a lower level math class. If you give yourself time to brush up on some of these skills, such as fractions, you increase your chances of getting placed in a class that matches your skills and brings you closer to your goal.

If English is your second language:

Important: Be sure to ask at the college which test they use if you want to earn college credits towards a degree. Some schools use one test for people who want to take ESL courses at the college that dont count towards a degree and use a different test for people who want to take college courses to get a degree.

COMPASS/ESL
This tests grammar/usage, reading, and listening. It is used to place you in the correct course level, either developmental (ESL) or college level. You take it on a computer. You may have to pay to take the test. Ask at the college for more information. For more information, visit the ACT website: http://www.act.org/esl/index.html

To practice, the ACT website has some questions: http://www.act.org/esl/sample.html

ACCUPLACER/ESL
This is another test to place you in the correct college course. It covers sentence meaning, language use, reading skills, listening, and writing. It is a computer test. (It used to be called LOEP.) You may have to pay to take the test. Ask at the college for more information. For more information visit the College Board website: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/accuplacer/accuplacer-esl-tests.html

Here are some websites to help you prepare:

Minneapolis Community and Technical College:
http://www.minneapolis.edu/documents/students/samplequestions_esl.pdf
(To access this, you need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software. If you cant open this document, visit the Adobe website to get the software: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html )

Test Preview:
http://www.testprepreview.com/accuplacer_practice.htm
Scroll down to the Self-Assessment Modules and take the following tests:

  • Basic grammar
  • Intermediate grammar
  • Advanced grammar, nouns, basic reading comprehension, reading for the main idea, reading vocabulary, sentence correction, sentence flow, usage tests 1-3, verbs, writing sections 1-2.

Bunker Hill Community College:
http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/inside/687

TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language
It is to see if you can use and understand English at the college level. You have to pay to take the test. If its difficult for you to pay, ask to see if you are eligible for the fee waiver. Depending on where you take the test, it may be on a computer or on paper. Visit the Educational Testing Service site for more information, including tips, information for people with disabilities, how to register for the test, and more.

Here are some websites with suggestions and practice:

4Tests.com
http://www.4tests.com/exams/examdetail.asp?eid=57

TOEFL Zone
http://www.toefl-zone.com/Preparation.html

About.com
http://esl.about.com/cs/toefl/a/a_toefl.htm

Your local library also has materials to prepare.

There are face-to-face and online courses for a fee. You can search online or look in your phone book to find them.

TSE – Test of Spoken English
This test may not be required at some institutions anymore because the TOEFL now includes a test for speaking. You may have to take it if you are a graduate student who is going to be a teacher assistant. For more information, visit the Educational Testing Service website.

CELSA – Combined English Language Skills Assessment This is another placement test for ESL students. It tests understanding meaning in context and grammar. It can be a computer or paper and pencil test. You may have to pay a fee to take it or it may be free. For more information, visit the Assessment Testing website:

http://www.assessment-testing.com/cfaqs.htm

Here are some websites that can help you prepare:

Hancock College
http://www.hancockcollege.edu/Default.asp?Page=74

Houston Community College
http://www.hccs.edu/hcc/System%20Home/Departments/Admissions
_and_Registration/Testing/Celsa_Sample_Questions.pdf

El Paso Community College
http://www.epcc.edu/Portals/90/CELSA%20Info%20Web%20May%207%202007.pdf

(To access these last two documents, you need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software. If you can’t open this document, visit the Adobe website to get the software: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html)

CLEP – College Level Examination Program
You can take the CLEP to show you know undergraduate-level material in particular subject areas, including languages. If your scores are high enough, you may not have to take introductory classes This can save you time and money! Ask the college if they accept CLEP, and if they give CLEP tests there. You have to pay to take the testask at the college to find out how much. Visit the CollegeBoard website for more information: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html

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