Prepare for Placement Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where do I take the English Placement Assessment?

Please schedule an appointment with the Testing Center (A-132) at 410-386-8450.

How long is the placement assessment?

The assessment is untimed, so you may take as much time as you need within the Testing Center’s hours of operation. We suggest that you plan for at least 1-2 hours of time. See Carroll’s website for the Testing Center’s hours.

How many times can I take the English Placement Assessment?

Students are allowed two attempts at the English Placement Assessment. After the second attempt, students can either enroll in college courses they are eligible to take based their score, or

What is the English Placement Assessment?

First Attempt

For native English speakers, the first placement assessment is a multiple choice Accuplacer Next Generation Writing Test. Students can access sample questions here.

For English Learner (EL) students, the first placement assessment is a writing sample. Students will receive a writing prompt and an article to read, and they will respond to the prompt and article in a brief essay.

Second attempt

For both native English speakers and EL students, the second placement assessment is a writing sample. Students will receive a writing prompt and an article to read. They will respond to the prompt in a brief essay.

What resources are available to help me prepare for the placement assessment?

Prior to the first attempt (for both native English speakers and EL students), students can contact the Academic Center for information about free resources and suggestions for preparing.

Prior to the second attempt, students are allowed to schedule up to two one-on-one tutoring appointments with the Academic Center tutors to practice for the writing sample assessment.

Am I allowed to use any resources during the assessment?

For both the writing sample placement assessment and the Accuplacer assessment, students will receive paper and a writing utensil. Students will not have access to any other resources during the Accuplacer assessment.

The writing sample placement assessment will be typed in a Word document. Students will have access to spell check, but they will not have any internet or grammar check access.

How will I know my score and which English course I am eligible to take?

At the end of the Accuplacer assessment, the student’s score will appear on the screen . The staff from the Testing Center will explain placement and retake options.

After the writing sample assessment, a faculty member from Carroll Community College’s Communications Arts division will score the assessment. The score will be returned to students in 2-4 days.Students can meet with an advisor or an Academic Center staff member to discuss their score, retake options, and course eligibility.

ALEKS PPL MATH PLACEMENT TEST

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where do I take the math placement assessment?

Please schedule an appointment with the Testing Center (A-132) at 410-386-8450.

How long is the placement assessment?

The assessment is untimed, so you may take as much time as you need within the Testing Center’s hours of operation. We suggest that you plan for at least 1-2 hours of time. See Carroll’s website for the Testing Center’s hours.

What is included in the math placement assessment?

ALEKS PPL is a web-based placement assessment. Before you begin, there will be a brief survey along with a tutorial to show you how to enter your answers. Your assessment may contain up to 24 questions. All questions are free response covering a broad spectrum of topics. Topics may include:

• Real numbers (including fractions, integers, and percentages)
• Equations and inequalities (including linear equations, linear inequalities, systems of linear equations, and quadratic equations)
• Linear and quadratic functions (including graphs and functions, linear functions, and parabolas), exponents and polynomials (including integer exponents, polynomial arithmetic, factoring, and polynomial equations), rational expressions (including rational equations and rational functions)
• Radical expressions (including higher roots and rational exponents)
• Exponentials and logarithms (including function compositions and inverse functions, properties of logarithms, and logarithmic equations)
• Geometry and trigonometry (including perimeter, area, volume, coordinate geometry, trigonometric functions, identities and equations)

What resources are available to help me prepare for the placement assessment?

Prior to taking the ALEKS PPL assessment, you should review operations with fractions and negative integers without a calculator. If you have questions while reviewing, you may use drop-in math tutoring at the Academic Center during normal drop-in hours. Call the Academic Center at 410-386-8300 for hours of operation or any other questions.

We also recommend the following resource for review and practice:

• Khan Academy. Focus on the Arithmetic, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Basic Geometry and Measurement, Algebra 2, Trigonometry, and Precalculus modules. Stop when you reach material that is unfamiliar to you.

Am I allowed to use any resources during the assessment?

You may not use notes, formula sheets, or any other reference materials. We will provide a four-function calculator. (You will not be able to use your own calculator.) A more complex calculator will appear on the screen when ALEKS determines that you need it.

What if I don’t know the answer to a question?

If you are given a question that you are unsure how to solve, it is recommended that you make your best attempt and still answer the question. There is an “I don’t know” option for each question. If you use this option, you should still attempt all subsequent questions with your best effort. You may not go back to any questions after you have answered them, so take your time and submit each answer carefully.

How will I know my score and what math course I am eligible to take?

At the end of the assessment, your score will appear on the screen.  The staff from the Testing Center will give you a score report and explain placement and retake options.

What if I did not reach my goal score?

If you did not reach your goal score, you may sign up for a retake. Information about retaking the placement assessment:

• You are required to wait 24 hours before you attempt a retake.
• You may have up to 4 retakes. Each retake is $10.
• Before retaking the placement assessment, you are required to practice in your customized ALEKS Prep and Learning module.
  • Required practice: 5 hours prior to the first retake; 3 hours prior to subsequent retakes
  • The ALEKS Prep and Learning module is an individualized learning path based on your placement results. (More information below!)
• The highest score that you obtain will be the one used for placement.
• All placement assessment attempts must be completed in the Testing Center.

What is the ALEKS Prep and Learning Module?

The ALEKS Prep and Learning module is a place for you to learn, practice, and review topics based on your first placement attempt and target material to help improve your score on subsequent assessments. Information about the ALEKS Prep and Learning module:

• After your initial placement assessment, you will choose the Prep and Learning module that best suits your needs. Please contact Marsha Nusbaum (mnusbaum@carrollcc.edu) or Debbie Asbury (dasbury@carrollcc.edu) to help you choose your Prep and Learning module.
• You can access your Prep and Learning module on a personal device through the Lynx Student Portal. Click ALEKS Math to begin.
• You will have access to your ALEKS Prep and Learning module for one year.
• If you have questions while working in your ALEKS Prep and Learning module, you may attend drop-in math tutoring for help before you retake the assessment.