Course Placement and Testing

All Minnesota State 2-year colleges require that students provide evidence of course placement for math, reading, and writing courses that have a pre-requisite. ATCC accepts ACT, MCA, SAT scores, and successful college coursework (D or higher) as evidence of placement in lieu of taking the ACCUPLACER. For required courses, please refer to your Degree Audit Report (DARS).

Updated Placement Levels
Effective fall semester 2022, Minnesota State is using a student's high school GPA as a stand-alone measurement for placement into courses that have reading, writing, and/or math requirements. The high school GPA will be pulled from the student's high school transcript, which was submitted as part of the Alexandria College admissions process. The Placement Guidelines document   details single measure and multiple measurements for course placement.

  • Provide ACT, SAT or MCA Scores
    If you have taken an ACT, SAT, or MCA test within the last 5 years, please have those scores sent to the ATCC Testing Center.
  • Provide an Official College Transcript
    If you have successfully completed college-level coursework, you may be exempt from all or portions of the placement test; however, we will need a copy of your official college transcript(s) to make that determination. Please have your official transcripts sent to the ATCC Transfer Specialist.
  • Take the Next-Generation ACCUPLACER (NGA) Test
    The ACCUPLACER is a series of basic skills tests. ACCUPLACER is not a pass-fail test. Based on your scores and program, you may be required to take college preparation coursework. This may add time to your program so it is important to be prepared. Each test is untimed in a multiple-choice format.

Schedule an ACCUPLACER

ATCC does ACCUPLACER testing by appointment. To schedule an appointment for ACCUPLACER, please call 320-762-4487. To test at another Minnesota State campus, please contact the ATCC Testing Center to get a remote voucher before scheduling.

ACCUPLACER Course Placement

Course placements will vary depending on scores. See the document below for details:

Cost and Retest Policy

There is no cost to take the ACCUPLACER the first time. You are allowed one retest per semester. There is a $5 fee for each portion retested. However, if scores are expired, there is no fee the first time taking the ACCUPLACER after scores have expired.

Students needing accommodations

If you need test accommodations, please call 1-888-234-1222, ext. 4673 or TTY 320-762-4628.

Test Prep & Review Websites:

Prior to testing, please take the opportunity to use the following resources to prepare for the placement test.

Next-Generation ACCUPLACER

ACCUPLACER is a computerized, un-timed placement test used to assist in college academic advising and proper course selection to help students be successful in their college education. ACCUPLACER uses computer-adaptive technology in a multiple-choice format. The questions presented are based on your individual skill level. Your response to each question drives the difficulty level of the next question. There is no time limit so it is important to give each question as much thought as you can.

ACCUPLACER Test Content:

Note: The Reading Test is used for both reading and writing placement

The Reading test, comprised of 20 questions, measures your ability to understand what you read, to identify main ideas and to make inferences. Four broad knowledge and skill categories will be assessed:

  • Information & Ideas
  • Rhetoric
  • Synthesis
  • Vocabulary

The Arithmetic test is comprised of 20 questions. The questions will focus on computation, order of operations, estimation and rounding, comparing and ordering values in different formats, and recognizing equivalent values across formats. The following knowledge and skill categories are assessed:

  • Whole number operations
  • Fraction operations
  • Decimal operations
  • Percent
  • Number comparisons and equivalents

The QAS test is comprised of 20 questions. The questions will focus on a range of topics including computing with rational numbers, applying ratios and proportional reasoning, creating linear expressions and equations, graphing and applying linear equations, understanding probability and sets, and interpreting graphic displays. The following knowledge and skill categories are assessed:

  • Rational numbers
  • Ratio and proportional relationships
  • Exponents
  • Algebraic expressions
  • Linear equations
  • Linear applications and graphs
  • Probability and sets
  • Descriptive statistics
  • Geometry concepts for Pre-Algebra
  • Geometry concepts for Algebra 1

The AAF test is comprised of 20 questions. The questions will focus on a range of topics including a variety of equations and functions, including linear, quadratic, rational, radical, polynomial, and exponential. The questions will also delve into some geometry and trigonometry concepts. The following knowledge and skill categories are assessed:

  • Linear equations
  • Linear applications and graphs
  • Factoring
  • Quadratics
  • Functions
  • Radical and rational equations
  • Polynomial equations
  • Geometry concepts for Algebra 1
  • Geometry concepts for Algebra 2
  • Trigonometry