Placement Testing
Prospective UAS students intending to take math or English courses must complete placement tests prior to enrollment (with some exceptions, please refer to the paragraph below). Students are only permitted to register for classes at or below the course level indicated by placement test results. No appointment is required to take a UAS placement test, simply come to the Learning Center during our open hours.
Students with math or English transfer credits from another university (with grade C or better), a score of 3 or greater on the AP math or AP English exams, an ACT English score of at least 30, or a SAT Critical Reading score of at least 680 may not be required to complete a placement test, though proper documentation must be submitted to the Registrar's office for approval.
About the Tests
The testing software we use is Accuplacer for Math and English.
There is no time limit with any placement test. On average, students take about 1 hour to complete the Math test, and about 2.5 hours to complete the English test. Please come early to allow yourself enough time to finish.
How to Study
We recommend that students spend at least a few days studying before taking the math placement test. We have math textbooks available for checkout, and we can give advice regarding what material to study. If you have specific math questions, the Learning Center math tutors are ready to help you study! Simply come to the learning center during our hours and study with us.
Click here for free Accuplacer Sample Questions.
More Accuplacer prep material can be found at the Study Guide Zone.
For more comprehensive math review visit purplemath.com.
Additional practice material is available at LA Valley College, Sample Placement Tests.
Test Results
You will receive computer-scored results immediately after the completion of the test. Your final English test results may take up to 2 days, as a reader will have to evaluate the essay. If you are concerned about the validity of your placement, please talk to a staff member after the exam.
Retakes
We allow one retake per test for a $10 fee and require that students wait at least a week before retaking. Students retaking the Ability-to-Benefit test, however, are required by federal guidelines to wait a minimum of two weeks before a retake.
Remote Placement
Prospective UA students wishing to take a placement test in a location other than their campus of enrollment need to find a proctor in their area and then follow the procedure for setting up a remote placement test according to the campus they plan on attending. Follow the link for campus of enrollment:
- UAS Juneau: Download the proctor agreement form.
- UAS Sitka: Contact the Sitka Learning Center.
- UAS Ketchikan: Contact the Ketchikan Learning Center.
- UAA: Find instructions here.
- UAF: Find instructions here.