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Admitted Students

Accuplacer Assessment Information

All new students are required to take the Accuplacer Assessment test before registering for classes. If you have previous college coursework or have taken an ACT, SAT, MCA or Accuplacer and have a qualifying high school GPA, you may not need to take the Accuplacer Assessment. Please submit any previous placement test results along with high school and college transcripts and consult with a Student Services Advisor about your testing options

The Accuplacer is a computerized assessment that provides information about your level of skill accomplishment in reading, English and math. It will ensure more accurate placement in appropriate course levels and help to determine whether strengthening English language skills is necessary to maximize the your academic success. The results of this assessent will help you and your counselor/advisor as you register for classes. You will receive the test results when you meet with your counselor or academic advisor.

Review the Placement Grid for Accuplacer/ACT/MCA/SAT

Review the Placement Grid by Course Requirement

  • Tests are not timed so you can give each question as much thought as you wish. All questions are multiple choice. Most students complete the test within 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

  • The tests do not affect your admissions eligibility (unless you are a PSEO student).

  • There is no fee for the test. After taking the assessment test, you will be given information about orientation and registration.

  • To take the Accuplacer, choose a campus location from the Accuplacer Schedule. Most of the campuses require pre-registration.

  • On the day of the assessment, bring a picture ID and know your social security number.

Need help?

  • The Accuplacer Web-based Study App is now free. This study tool will help you become familiar with the style and content of questions on Accuplacer tests.

  • Free Accuplacer preparation assistance is offered at area Adult Basic Education (ABE) sites. Visit www.southwestabe.org or call 320-269-9297 for more information. 

  • A list of Accuplacer review websites, including sample review questions, is available at bottom of this page.

Remote Testing

Minnesota West students wishing to take the Accuplacer at a different location should contact Laurel Christianson to set up a Remote Test Voucher. Email laurel.christianson@mnwest.edu with the following information:

  • Name of the institution where you want to test
  • First and last name
  • Minnesota West Student ID (visible on top right corner in eServices)
  • Full date of birth (month/day/year)
  • Gender
  • Email
  • Phone
  • Address

Students testing for another college must follow the instructions below:

  1. Request a Remote Test Voucher from the school you want to attend.
  2. Once you have obtained this voucher, contact Minnesota West to schedule testing. Scheduling information will be included on the voucher you receive.
  3. Bring your Remote Voucher to Minnesota West when you come to take the Accuplacer. The email containing the voucher must be either printed on paper or visible on your phone.
  4. Testing for other colleges is not available without the voucher from the other institution.
Tips & Reminders for Test Day
  • Bring a picture ID and know your student ID number or your StarID.
  • The Accuplacer is computerized, but you need no previous experience with computers. It's simple to use.
  • You may not use calculators, dictionaries, notebooks or other papers of any kind. You can use scratch paper, which you will need to turn in upon completion of the test.
  • Results of computerized tests are available immediately.
  • Your scores are confidential and will be used by Minnesota West for advising and placement purposes only.
  • It might be necessary to re-test portions of the exam. If so, you do not need to re-take those portions which you scored at a college level.

Students with disabilities who need accommodations must have ADA documentation and need to make prior arrangements with the Disability Services staff at the campus where you are applying.

Studying for the Accuplacer

To help you review for the assessment tests, the following websites are available. These sites provide sample test questions with answers, so you can become familiar with the test and practice the items.

Free Accuplacer Practice Resources has sample test questions as well as general test information.
Test Prep Review for the Accuplacer.