Math Placement Exams

The Accuplacer test is an untimed, computer-adaptive test used by colleges and universities to place students into appropriate Math cources. 

• First, You must be a current or new student with a SIU ID and an SIU email. You will not be able to take the placement exam without first being admitted. 

Talk to your advisor about whether it is recommended that you take math your first semester on campus. If you do not, then you may wait until you come to campus to take the placement test. Many students will need to take the placement test unless you have any of the following Exceptions:

Math Placement Exceptions:

• The first exception is if you have taken a transferrable college-level math course that is posted on a college (not high school) transcript showing successful completion with a grade of “C” or better in a prerequisite or required math course for your intended major. Your advisor can let you know if your course transfers as the appropriate course at SIU.
• The second exception is any student earning a minimum ACT Math subscore of 22 (Math SAT 530+) is permitted to register for Math 106, 108 or Math 125 (College Algebra or Technical Math) without taking the placement test. If you want to place higher, than you must take the placement test.
• The third exception is if you need Math 101/102 (Contemporary Mathematics/Introduction to Data Science), you will not need to take the placement test. You can enroll at a later date to take it if you switch majors and want to take a math course other than Math 101/102
• The fourth exception is If you have credit in an SIUC MATH course granted through AP, CLEP, DSST, or IB.  In these cases, placement may be based on that credential, although students may still take the placement test to place into higher-level courses.  If scores are pending and you need to register immediately, it may be helpful to take the placement test for a temporary placement and then change courses when scores are received.  
• The fifth exception is you have taken a PROCTORED Accuplacer test  within the last 2 years. SIUC will not accept any printed ACCUPLACER scores from the student. SIU will only accept scores that are sent through your ACCUPLACER account portal. Step-by-Step directions can be found in the link below.
  • How To Send a Score Report through the Student Portal
  • Accuplacer Student Portal

You have 3 Ways to Schedule your Accuplacer Exam:

1. Schedule IN-PERSON in Morris Library (FREE for SIU Students)
   
   • This choice allows you to take the Math Placement Test for Free!  
   • Scheduling your Math Placement Test in Morris Library is very easy!  Simply go to the link below. There are no fees for your first placement attempt. There is a fee of 10 dollars for any additional attempt. 
   • Schedule your placement Test in Testing Services (7th floor Morris Library) 
2. Testing at a Remote Facility (IN-PERSON, at another Testing Center, approx $30.00 fee) 
   • Applicants who are not able to test at Testing Services (located in Morris Library) can complete the Register at Another Testing Center to arrange for testing at a remote location. 
     • Choose "Math Placement", then "IN-Person at another Test Center" 
   • To find a remote Facility near your location, please go to the ACCUPLACER Student Portal , enter the required fields and the ZIP/Postal Code to search for a test center in your area. 
   • Applicants are responsible for contacting the assigned remote facility to schedule the test and to inquire about fees, hours, parking, etc. Please note that most remote testing locations will charge a separate fee. 
   • Upon completion of the remote ACCUPLACER* test, SIU Testing Services will be notified electronically and will then upload the scores into the students record for advisor review. 
3. Testing at Home (Online using a Virtual Proctor, approx $30.00 fee)
   • Applicants who are not located near an approved remote facility can complete the ACCUPLACER* online using an ETS approved virtual proctor. Virtual proctoring sessions are available 24/7.
   • Click HERE to check to make sure your computer meets System Requirements.
   • A voucher number will be sent by email to the applicant with instructions on how to proceed. A proctoring fee of $30 USD, payable via credit card, will be due at the time of service.  
   • The virtual proctor will require the student to provide a government issued photo ID prior to alowing them to take the test through a webcam. 
   • Complete the Register with a Virtual Proctor to arrange scheduling for virtual proctoring. 
     • Choose "Math Placement", then "On-Line, at Home" 

• Whole Number Operations
• Fraction Operations
• Decimal Operations
• Percent
• Number Comparisons and Equivalents

• Rational Numbers
• Ratio and Proportional Relationships
• Exponents
• Algebraic Expressions
• Linear Equations
• Linear Applications and Graphs
• Probability Sets
• Descriptive Statistics
• Geometry Concepts

• Linear Equations
• Linear Applications and Graphs
• Factoring
• Quadratics
• Functions
• Radical and Rational Equations
• Polynomial Equations
• Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
• Trigonometry

• Give yourself plenty of time to prepare for the math placement exam as you may only retake this exam 1 time after waiting a minimum of one week. The additional attempt will not be free, so be sure you are prepared for your first attempt. 
• Before you take the Accuplacer Test, you should study. It is recommended that you download the Accuplacer's official study App on your smartphone or computer to help you prepare.  
• College Board, who publishes the exam, has sample questions and a study app available on their website.
  • You should prepare for: 
    • 1. Next-Generation Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS) (Test 1) 
    • 2. Advanced Algebra and Functions (AAF) (Test 2) 
    • Note: If you are taking the placement test, then you are planning to try to place into technical math, algebra or higher and would need to take the Advanced Algebra and Functions (AAF) (Test2) So, be prepared to take both exams. Only those who score high on the QAS test (Test1) will be able to also take the AAF test (Test 2) 
    •  https://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/students/prepare-for-accuplacer/practice  
• Only those who score high on the QAS test will have to also take the AAF test. 
  
  
• The links below are direct links where you can find sample questions for:

• • Test 1: Quantitative reasoning (QAS)
  • Test 2: Advanced Algebra and Functions (AAF)
  • ACCUPLACER SAMPLE QUESTIONS 
  • The College Board Student Portal link below will also connect you to the Learning Resource Portal, practice resources, test taking Tutorials, and online calculator practice.

    • https://studentportal.accuplacer.org/
      
      
      

There are some questions that allow you to use an onscreen calculator; these questions will have a calculator icon in the top-right corner of the screen. You're not allowed to bring a physical calculator into the test center or use a handheld calculator on any ACCUPLACER Math test.

Exception: Students who've been approved to use handheld calculators through an official accommodations request may use them in accordance with the approved accommodation. 

Remember: Do not use a handheld calculator when you practice as you cannot use one for the exam. Many questions do not allow the use of a calculator, so it is recommended that you practice without one.  A link to the calculator practice is found on the student portal of the Accuplacer website. 

Mathematics requirements vary by academic progam, but the list below includes the courses with their required Accuplacer score. For more information about the Math course for your major, reach out to your advisor or talk to a faculty member in your program. 

Below you will be able to see what you would need on your ACCUPLACER exam to place in your Math Class. 

 ACCUPLACER Score and Course Placement Guide

• You can retake Test 1 or Test 2 one additional time after a minimum of 7 days (which should be used to study)
• There will be a fee of 10.00 for any retake of either Test 1 or Test 2. 

• You MUST bring a CLEAR photo ID (either your student ID, a state ID,  or a passport.  You will NOT be able to test without a proper ID. 
• You are only permitted scratch paper and a writing utensil and these will be provided for you. 
• No physical calculator is permitted. However, the Accuplacer does at times provide an electronic calculator for your use. Look for the calculator icon to appear int he upper right hand corner of your screen. 
• There is no time limit on the exam, but most students usually take 1-2 hours, depending on the number of exams taken. When you schedule your exam, you should give yourself enough time to do your best and complete the assessment in one sitting.  Your results will determine the courses you take and your results will be available immediately after you complete the assessment. 

• You will receive your score report a few minutes after finishing the test. You will also be able to log in to the ACCUPLACER student portal to view, print, and share your scores with other institutions.
• Scores will only be accepted throught the student portal, copies from the student will not be accepted. 
• https://studentportal.accuplacer.org/
• Your Scores are good for 2 years, after that you will need to re-take the ACCUPLACER.

• See your advisor to discuss what options you have, they should be able to assist you.