Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about ACCUPLACER Testing & ACT

 

 

 

 

 

Q

Who takes the Accuplacer?

A

1.       Students who have an ACT math score of 18 or below must take the Accuplacer unless they decide to start with MAT 1203 Beginning Algebra or MAT 1213 College Math I (for technical majors only).

2.       Students with ACT English sub scores of 14 or below are required to complete the “WritePlacer” test provided by Accuplacer.  Students who score 7 and below on the WritePlacer will be registered for ENG 1103 Introduction to Composition.  Completion of this course with a passing grade will qualify the student for entry into ENG 1113 English Composition I.

 

Q

When and where can a student take the Accuplacer?  How long does it take?

A

A student can take the Accuplacer any time during regular work hours (Mondays-Thursdays 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fridays 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.)  at the Counseling Center in Waller Hall.  An appointment is not necessary.  The student should allow 30 to 45 minutes for the test.  A calculator is not allowed on this test, but the student should plan to use a pencil and paper.

 

Q

Can a student take the Accuplacer more than once?

A

No.  A student may take the Accuplacer only one time.  If, by error, a student is allowed to take the test again, only the first score will be considered valid.

 

Q

What are the cut-off scores for Accuplacer?

A

Subject

Test/Score

Course

 

English

WritePlacer/<7

ENG 1103 (Into. to Composition)

 

 

WritePlacer/>7 or =7

ENG 1113 (Eng. Comp. I)

 

Math

Accuplacer Elementary Alg/57.9 or lower

MAT 1203 (Beg Algebra)

 

 

Accuplacer Elementary Alg/58 to 83.9

MAT 1233 (Int Algebra)

 

 

Accuplacer Elementary Alg/84 or higher

MAT 1313 (College Alg)

 

Or

ACT Math sub score/22 or higher AND Advanced Math and Trig (High School)

MAT 1815 (Calculus I)

MAT 1613 (Calculus I-A)

 

 

ACT Math subscore/22 or higher & Advanced Math

MAT 1333 (Finite Math)

MAT 1513 (Bus. Calc I)

 

Or

ACT Reading sub score of 10 or less

REA 1103

Q

What if a student wishes to challenge the Accuplacer/Writeplacer score?

A

The student who wishes to challenge the Math Accuplacer needs to contact Kaye Crowe in McCoy Hall.  The student who wishes to challenge Writeplacer score needs to contact Ann White in Anderson Hall.

 

Q

Can a student take a course, and then take the Accuplacer/Writeplacer or a departmental placement exam to skip a math/English course?

A

No.  Once a student begins his/her math/English classes, placement test scores are no longer accepted.

 

Q

What if a student takes the Accuplacer/Writeplacer and leaves college without having taken any math/English classes?  Can he/she take the test again later?

A

Yes, but only if at least a year has passed and no math/English classes have been taken during that time.  Otherwise, repeat scores will be considered invalid.

 


Q

If a student was misplaced in a class during a semester and was unsuccessful, will the student be allowed to repeat the course at that level the next semester? 

A

No.  For example, if a student should have been placed in Beginning Algebra, but through an error, was allowed to take Intermediate Algebra and the student was unsuccessful, the next semester the student will be placed in the correct class, Beginning Algebra, according to the placement policy so that the student will have every opportunity to be successful.  We do not wish to repeat an error, compounding the problem and taking more time for the student to gain the foundation he/she needs.

 

Q

What if a student takes the Accuplacer and later decides to re-take the ACT, hoping for a higher score?  How would we consider the later score?

A

If math or English coursework has already begun, the sequence must be followed.  However, if no classes have been taken and the new ACT has a higher math/English score, we would want to carefully discuss with the student their math/English background and try to ascertain his level of confidence and competence to find the best math placement for his success.  A mathematics/English instructor should counsel this student very carefully if the new ACT score disagrees with the placement scores. 

 

Q

How can I view a student’s Accuplacer/Act scores?

A

To view Accuplacer/Act scores, complete the following in TigerLine. 

§         Click Enter a Secure Area and log on

§         Click Faculty Services

§         Click Student Menu for Faculty

§         Click View Student Information

§         Select a term, then enter the student’s ID or Last Name & First Name

§         Verify the student selected is the student you wish to view information on, then click Submit

§         The ACT and Accuplacer scores are listed at the bottom of the page.  The ACT scores are the maximum score for each subject area.  Since students take the test several times, the set of scores that you see could not be the complete set taken at one time.  Since this screen is to be used for advising, only the maximum scores are listed.

 

Q

Can a student transfer to a university in Mississippi if their ACT score is less than 18?

A

If a student makes less than an 18 ACT composite, they must have a 2.0 grade point average in the following to transfer to a university in Mississippi:  Eng. Comp. I & II, College Algebra, 2 Lab Sciences, 1 Fine Arts, and 2 Humanities OR Social/Behavioral Sciences.  The student can transfer at any time once this has been achieved.

 

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