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Placement Testing

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M State uses ACT, SAT, MCA, Accuplacer scores, high school GPA or previous college coursework to determine course placement. Accuplacer testing is available on campus for students who would like to re-test or have their current course placement re-evaluated. M State cannot use MCA scores for writing placements.

Course placement may be determined by:

  • Scores from ACT, SAT and/or the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) 
  • Accuplacer
  • High school GPA for students who have graduated from high school within the last 10 years. Transcripts can be emailed in PDF format. In the absence of an official high school transcript, self-reported high school GPA may be submitted to records@minnesota.edu. 
  • Completion of college-level coursework from an accredited college or university 
  • Guided self-placement

Guided self-placement 

Guided self-placement with an academic advisor is available for students who have earned a GED or graduated from high school more than 10 years ago. Please bring your GED results to the meeting with the advisor.

Students who are planning to apply to an M State selective admissions program cannot use guided self-placement. 

If you are using guided self-placement, you will be asked these questions to help us place you in the courses that best support your learning needs:

  1. What language did you first learn to speak?
  2. Which language do you speak most often at home?
  3. How many years of education (elementary through high school) did you attend in the United States?

English Self-Guided Placement

Math Self-Guided Placement

Accuplacer

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Preparing for Accuplacer

Study app

The free Accuplacer study app gives you access to Accuplacer practice materials anytime, anywhere. Choose Next-Generation Practice Tests when prompted. The app includes sample questions and explanations for both correct and incorrect answers. Explore practice questions and get feedback on the skills you need to focus on the most.

Sample questions

Websites

In-person Accuplacer preparation

M State partners with local Adult Basic Education offices that provide in-person Accuplacer preparation assistance.

In-person test prep contacts

On Accuplacer testing day

  • A photo ID is required.
  • Accuplacer tests are not timed. Testing takes approximately two hours. 
  • Personal calculators cannot be used, but Accuplacer provides a digital calculator for certain questions. 
  • M State will provide paper and pencils. 
  • Cell phones must be turned off and stored in a backpack, purse, jacket, etc.
  • Children are not allowed in the testing room and may not be left unattended on campus or outside the testing site. 
  • Your test score results are available immediately after testing is complete. 

Accommodations

To request testing accommodations because of a disability, contact Accessibility Resources Director Ashley Broderick at ashley.broderick@minnesota.edu or 218.299.6882.

Retesting

Students who want to take the Accuplacer a second time should talk to a counselor or academic advisor before signing up to retest. Study materials are available to help students prepare for the Accuplacer. Retests are allowed after two weeks.

Questions?

For more information, email M State's testing coordinator at proctoring@minnesota.edu.