Why am I taking a math placement test?
When you come to Culver-Stockton for Summer Registration and Orientation, you may be required to take a math placement test to assess which college math course you are academically prepared to take as part of your degree requirements. Like many colleges, C-SC requires all students to take at least one course in what we call “quantitative literacy,” which means college algebra or higher. We believe it is important for each student to get off on the right foot by taking a math class for which he/she is academically prepared, and the test will help us place you into a course at which you can succeed.
The C-SC Admissions Office will notify you whether you are required to take the math placement test. If so, you will be asked to arrive at 8 a.m. to take the test before Summer Registration and Orientation events begin. Students who arrive more than 15 minutes after the test begins may be asked to schedule taking the test on their own time on another day.
We urge you to take the math placement test seriously.
Your score determines whether you need to take one or two developmental math courses BEFORE you take college algebra. If you need to take developmental courses, they are credit-bearing and count toward your full-time student status, but they will not satisfy your C-SC mathematics requirement and may not count toward graduation. Doing well on the ACCUPLACER means you can take college algebra immediately or, perhaps, enroll in a higher level math class. Doing well saves you time and money as you complete your degree requirements.
Who is required to take the test?
Freshmen – All incoming freshmen must take an ACCUPLACER math placement test unless their ACT math score is 23 or higher (550 or higher on the SAT math section).
Transfers – All incoming transfer students must take an ACCUPLACER math placement test unless they have taken a college-level math class (as determined by the C-SC Registrar) and earned a grade of “C” or better.
If I scored higher than 23/550, do I still have to take a math class?
Yes. A score of higher than 23 (ACT) or 550 (SAT) means you do not have to take the ACCUPLACER math placement test, but you still need to enroll in a math course at C-SC to satisfy graduation requirements.
If I took a dual-credit math class in high school, do I have to take the ACCUPLACER test?
Yes. If you score well enough on the ACCUPLACER math placement test, C-SC will accept your dual-credit math class as a college-level class. But if you score within the developmental range on the ACCUPLACER test, then you must take the required developmental math class at C-SC. Your dual-credit course will count as an elective.
What is the ACCUPLACER math placement test like?
You will use a computer to take the online ACCUPLACER math placement test. ACCUPLACER is an adaptive test, which means that the computer chooses test questions for you based on your answers to previous questions. This technique selects just the right questions for your ability level. Because the test works this way, you must answer every question when it is first given. The tests are not timed, so you can give each question as much thought as you wish. You can change your answer to a particular question before moving on to the next question, but you cannot skip a question or come back to it later to change your answer. You are not allowed to use notes, textbooks, or a calculator, but we will have paper and pencil ready for you.
Should I study for the ACCUPLACER math placement test?
It is very important that you do as well as possible on the math placement test. If you would like to read some tips about preparing for the test or see some sample questions, visit the College Board website. We also have some practice questions posted on this website which you can access by clicking here (pdf).
May I retake the ACCUPLACER test?
Yes. There is a $5 charge for the repeat test, which will be administered in the C-SC Tutoring and Academic Support Center (TASC). Students may make arrangements to retake the test after Registration and Orientation by calling 573-288-6451.
If the test says I need to take a developmental class, can I take it at another college over the summer?
Yes. If you take the course elsewhere and earn a grade of “C” or better, then you can enroll in the next level math class at Culver-Stockton. Be sure to check with the C-SC Registrar before you enroll in the first course to make sure it will satisfy the developmental course requirement.
Is it true that some students have to take two ACCUPLACER tests?
Yes. And it’s a great situation if you are prompted to take the second test after completing the first one. That means you did very well on the first test, and we need to test additional math skills to place you in a higher level course. The testing all takes place during the same session.
What if I don’t want to take the ACCUPLACER during Registration & Orientation?
You are not required to take a math course during your first semester at C-SC, so you can arrange to take the test after you arrive on campus in the fall. However, you must make your own arrangements with the C-SC Tutoring and Academic Support Center (TASC). In order to graduate, you must satisfy the math requirement that is part of the C-SC Common Experience.
You can find out more information about the ACCUPLACER tests on the College Board website.
For general information about the C-SC math placement test, call 573-288-6467.
