Westchester Community College, State University of New York

The placement exam is a series of short placement tests used to assess your knowledge of reading, writing and mathematics skills. A writing sample and computerized placement test, the ACCUPLACER™, are administered. The Writing Sample is a locally developed and locally scored measure to assess your writing skills. The ACCUPLACER™is a computerized exam used by hundreds of colleges across the country.

Yes, the following link provides a study guide in pdf format. ATB Study Guide

You will use either the keyboard or the mouse to enter your answers and supply other information. A Test Administrator will always be present should you have any questions or problems. Because you take the ACCUPLACER™ tests on a computer, you do not have to answer as many questions as on traditional paper-and-pencil tests. The questions appear one at a time on the computer screen. When you have completed the question and confirmed your answer, a new screen will appear with your next question. You can change your answer to a particular question before moving on to the next question, but once you go on to the next question, you cannot return to previous questions. Each test is adaptive. This means that the computer automatically determines which questions are presented to you based on your responses to prior questions. This technique selects just the right questions to ask without being too easy or too difficult. Each test is untimed so that you can give each question as much thought as you wish. However, you must complete the entire test session within the 3 and ½ hours allotted by Westchester Community College.

For specific information about what the subtests measure, please visit our Sample Exam Questions page.

Study Guides for the Accuplacer.

Online Tutorial for the Math Subtests of the Accuplacer

PLACEMENT ESSAY SCORING GUIDE Essays are graded by two readers. Each reader assigns a score ranging from 1-6. Thus, total scores range from 2 – 12 with a score of 8 placing a student into Writing and Research (previous title: Composition and Literature 1). The standards that must be met for a placement essay to receive a single score of 4 (a total score of 8) are presented below:

		Exceeds Standards 5 or 6	Meets Standards 4	Approaches Standards 3	Does Not Approach Standards 1 or 2
FOCUS & SUPPORT	The essay focuses directly on the issue defined in the prompt.The topic is supported with some specific elaboration including details and examples.
ORGANIZATION/UNITY	The essay is generally unified and coherent.Ideas are organized satisfactorily and connected with basic transitions.
SENTENCES & LANGUAGE	The writing shows both variety and adequate command of sentence structure.Appropriate diction is used.
GRAMMAR & MECHANICS	Rules of grammar as well as standard conventions of written English are followed.

  Readers assign a score using the following guidelines. FOCUS & SUPPORT

• Does the essay focus directly on one of the assigned topics?
• Does the essay begin with a clear statement of the writer’s point of view?
• Is the topic supported with specific details and examples?

ORGANIZATION / UNITY

• Does all the material in the essay support the main idea?
• Are ideas organized logically?
• Are the parts of the essay connected with transitions?

Sentences & Language

• Does the writing show command of sentence structure?

In other words, are there any rough spots where a sentence does not flow smoothly and clearly or where any part is incomplete or not well joined to other parts of the sentence?

• Are any words used that are not appropriate to the essay’s purpose and audience?

GRAMMAR & WRITING CONVENTIONS

• Does the writing follow rules of grammar as well as the standard conventions of written English?

• In addition to sentence standards, the student needs to:
  • use the correct form for present tense verbs as in we write or Erica writes;
  • use the correct form for past tense verbs—in most cases that means adding – ed;
  • spell words correctly, including there/their, it’s/its, then/than, etc.;
  • use punctuation and apostrophes correctly.

The essay

Description	Single Score	Total Score	Course Placement
Exceeds standards	5 or 6	10-12	Writing and Research-Honors
Meets standards	4	8	Writing and Research
Approaches standards	3	6	Writing for College 2
Approaches standards	3 w/ 4	7	Intro. Academic Writing 2 (ESL students)
Does not approach standards	3 or 2	5 - 6	Intro. Academic Writing 1 (ESL students)
Does not approach standards	2 or 1	2 - 4	Writing for College I, or
Does not approach standards	2 or 1	2 - 4	English Language Institute (ESL students)

 

Westchester Community College has a mandatory assessment and placement policy. The purpose of the placement exam is to make sure that you take the appropriate courses. Based on your results you will be taking regular, honors, or basic skills courses. You will meet with a counselor who will use the scores for course placement in English, mathematics and possibly reading classes. Students who have not graduated from high school or earned a GED will be required to take the Placement Test before being admitted to the college.

What is the College's Prerequisite Policy? The following English, ESL, reading and mathematics classes require an appropriate score on the placement exam or a passing grade in a prerequisite course. The courses and their prerequisites are listed as follows:

Course	Course Number	Prerequisite Course
Writing and Research	ENG 101	Writing for College 2 or Intro. to Academic Writing 2
Writing for College 2	ENG 92	Writing for College 1
Intro. to Academic Writing 2	ESL 122	Intro. to Academic Writing 1
Analytical Reading	READ 105	Foundations of College Reading
Beginning Algebra or Foundations of Mathematical Reasoning	MATH 93 MATH 94	Pre-Algebra
College Algebra: Functions and Models	MATH 130	Beginning Algebra
College Algebra with Trigonometry	MATH 135	Beginning Algebra
Development of Math Thought	MATH 116	Beginning Algebra or Foundations of Mathematical Reasoning
Contemporary Math	MATH 117	Beginning Algebra or Foundations of Mathematical Reasoning
Math for Elementary Teachers	MATH 123	Beginning Algebra or Foundations of Mathematical Reasoning

 

ACCUPLACER™ is an adaptive test. This means that the questions are chosen for you on the basis of your answers to previous questions. Because the test works this way, you must answer every question when it is first given. You can change your answer to a particular question before moving on to the next question, but once you go on to the next question, you cannot return to previous questions. If you do not know the answer to a question, try to eliminate one or more or the choices. Then pick from the remaining choices.

If you have a documented disability, and as a result require testing modifications, call Disabilities Services at 914-606-6287. There is a separate schedule for students needing accommodations. Placement testing with accommodations must be completed at least one week prior to the start of classes. For more information concerning services for students with disabilities, please visit our Disability Services webpage.

• New Matriculated Students
  Upon admission to Westchester Community College, all matriculated students are required to take the Placement Examination prior to registering in any courses.
• Transfer Students
  Students who do not provide proof of completion of college-level math or writing courses with a grade of “C” or better from a regionally accredited college or university must take the placement exam.
• Non-Matriculated Students
  Non-matriculated students who plan to enroll in an English, math or reading course must take the Placement Exam.
• Early Admit Student Program
  The Early Admit Student (EAS) program allows qualified high school students to take classes at Westchester Community College while concurrently completing their high school program.
  • The student must take all subtests of placement exam even if s/he has no plans to take classes in these subject areas.
  • The student must place into college level courses by meeting the minimum score requirements.
  • Graduating high school students who plan on attending any session that begins prior to their high school graduation date (such as Summer Session 1), need to adhere to the EAS program requirements, regardless of high school grades and courses taken.

Additional Early Admit Student Program requirements are described in the College Catalog.

 

English Essay Exam

• Submit an official transcript from a regionally accredited college or university to confirm that you completed a 3-creditcollege-level English course equivalent to our ENG 101 (Writing and Research) with a grade of C or better
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States.
• SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing score of 550 or higher (after March 1, 2016)
• Old SAT Combined Writing Section plus Critical Reading Section of 990 or higher (prior to March 1, 2016)
• ACT English score of 23 or higher
• New York State English regents of 85 or higher
  
• Applicable English AP exam score of 3 or higher (receive college credit)

Reading Comprehension Exam

• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States
• SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing score of 550 or higher
• Old SAT Combined Writing Section plus Critical Reading Section of 990 or higher (prior to March 1, 2016)
• ACT English score of 23 or higher
• New York State English regents of 85 or higher
• Applicable English AP exam score of 3 or higher (receive college credit)

Mathematics Exam

• Submit an official transcript from an accredited college/university to confirm that you have completed a credit-bearing college-levelmathematics course with a grade of C or better
• SAT Math score of 530 or higher (after March 1, 2016)
• Old SAT Math of 500 or higher (prior to March 1, 2016)
• ACT Math score of 22 or higher
• Applicable Mathematics AP exam score of 3 or higher (receive college credit)
• New York State Mathematics regents of 80 or higher on one of the following Regents Exams (Algebra 1, Algebra 2, or Geometry)

Waivers

• Official high school transcripts with Regents scores must be sent to the Office of Admissions in the Administration Building, Room 210
• Official college transcripts must be sent to the Registrar’s Office in the Administration Building, Room 107
• Unofficial SAT/ACT scores may be submitted to the Office of Admissions in the Administration Building, Room 210 or emailed toHSTranscript@sunywcc.edu
• Students using SAT/ACT scores must have taken the exam in the past 5 years
• Students using Regents scores must have graduated high school in the past 3 years

There will be a testing fee charged at registration. This Placement Testing/Advisement Fee is a one-time non-refundable charge. For students receiving financial aid, the $20 fee will be part of the financial aid package.

• Driver’s license
• DMV Non-Driver ID Card
• Passport
• US government lawful permanent residence (LPR), or green card
• U.S. military identification card
• High School ID card
• High School yearbook with your picture and printed name

The time allotted is up to 3 ½ hours per session. Please plan accordingly and make sure that you allow sufficient time to stay for the entire session. The time allotted for the essay is 50 minutes, and the ACCUPLACER™ is untimed. However, students need to complete the essay and ACCUPLACER™ subtests within the 3 ½ hours allotted. The average time it takes to complete each ACCUPLACER™ subtest is 30 minutes.

ARRIVAL TIME: You need to arrive at least 15 minutes before the session begins to allow time to sign in. The session starts promptly. If you arrive late, you will not be seated and you will need to come back another time.

Personal calculators are not permitted. However, you may use a TI-108 calculator provided by the Testing Center. Please take the time to review before taking the placement exam to make sure that your placement results reflect your math skills.

Students taking the Ability to Benefit Exam (ATB) for New York State financial Aid (TAP) or admittance for the 24 credit GED program are NOT allowed to use a calculator as stated by the New York State Department of Education

The results of the Accuplacer, taken at another school within the past two years, can be used at Westchester Community College.

A student will still have to take the essay exam for English/ESL course placement unless s/he is transferring in approved English 101 credits.

Steps to take:

• The student will need to contact the college where the Accuplacer was taken and WCC’s Testing and Assessment Center to initiate the request.
  Email: testingcenter@sunywcc.edu
  Phone: 914-606-6969
• The school where the exam was taken will email or fax a copy of the Student Score Report to the Testing and Assessment Center.
• Testing and Assessment Center staff will enter the scores into the system.

Accuplacer scores needed for selected Math courses* are:

Arithmetic Skills: 45

Elementary Algebra Skills: 55

*Selected Math Courses

College Algebra: Functions and Models

College Algebra with Trig.

Development of Math Thought

Contemporary Math

Accuplacer Reading Comprehension: A score of 80 or above is needed to confirm that a reading course is not required.

Click here for directions on how to get a copy of your test scores.

To meet with an Academic Counselor you must schedule an appointment.  For your convenience, Academic Counselors are available at the Valhalla campus and our extension centers. For locations, hours, and contact information, visit the Academic Counseling page www.sunywcc.edu/counseling. Call your location of interest to make an appointment.

Mathematics Placement Scores and Exemptions.
Mathematics Placement Flowchart

Yes, the Next-Generation ACCUPLACER Advance Algebra and Functions (AAF) Exam can potentially allow you to place into higher level mathematic courses. This exam is administered based on recommendation ONLY. You must receive permission from an academic counselor or the mathematics department before you’re allowed to take this exam.

Exam and Scores	Placement	Course	Description
AAF Exam 260-275	MATH 42.01	MATH 160/161	You have qualified for MATH 160: Precalculus for Business OR MATH 161: Precalculus. Please speak with a counselor and check your degree requirements to determine which course to take. (4 credits)
AAF Exam 276-300	MATH 43.01	MATH 180/181	You have qualified for MATH 180: Calculus for Business OR MATH 181: Calculus 1. Please speak with a counselor and check your degree requirements to determine which course to take. (4 credits)