Academic and placement assessments

Visit ACCUPLACER. You can check if your computer or laptop has the basic requirements by clicking the “Verify System” button at the bottom of the page.

* We do not recommend a computer at a public library or other public place. Typically, these computers have security settings that will prevent you from opening your assessment. Your assessment also needs a private place with no one else visible around you.

You will need:

Browser:

• Google Chrome v74 or later
• Disable your pop-up blocker

Operating system:

• Windows 10 or later, Mac OS 10.8 or later

Equipment:

• desktop or laptop computer (tablets and Chromebooks are not supported)
• built-in or external webcam, microphone, and speakers
• 2GB or more of RAM

Internet connection:

• An upload and download speed of 2 Mbps

We advise you to review the material before testing. You may also want to become more comfortable with the ACCUPLACER testing process. Visit collegeboard.org for information about ACCUPLACER, including practice tests.

• Consider signing up for the ACCUPLACER practice app.
• Consider reviewing the GED study guide. You can buy it online or at most bookstores.
• Consider an online GED Study Guide.

1. A small calculator picture/icon will appear on the top right corner of the screen for certain questions.

You can use that calculator for that question only. No external calculators are allowed. You need to solve the question by hand if there is no calculator icon.

2. Arithmetic

The following knowledge and skill categories are assessed:

• whole numbers, fractions, decimal operations
• percentages
• number comparisons and equivalents

Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics

The following knowledge and skill categories are assessed:

• Rational numbers
• Ratio and proportional relationships
• Exponents
• Algebraic expressions
• Linear equations
• Linear applications and graphs
• Probability and sets
• Descriptive statistics
• Geometry concepts for Pre-Algebra
• Geometry concepts for Algebra 1

Advanced Algebra and Functions

The following knowledge and skill categories are assessed:

• linear equations, linear applications and graphs
• factoring
• quadratics
• functions
• radical and rational equations
• polynomial equations
• exponential and logarithmic equations
• geometry concepts for Algebra 1 and Algebra 2
• trigonometry

Practice for Advanced Algebra and Functions

Math 20 and 30 review and practice resources:

• solaro.ca.
• Anyone with an Edmonton Public Library card can create a free account by going to epl.ca/resource/solaro.
• Buy or borrow a copy of The Key for Math 20 and 30 for review and practice.

You can refer to “The Key Diploma Preparation Guide for Biology 30”. You can also access Biology 30 practice material through solaro.com, which is available for free to anyone with an Edmonton Public Library membership. This guide is also available at most bookstores. Or, you can find some sample questions and practice material from the following sites:

Sample Biology 30 Diploma Exams:

• Released Diploma Examination Items - 2017
• Released Diploma Examination Items - 2014
• Alberta Biology 30 Curriculum

The GED Study Guide is a very useful tool for reviewing before taking Accuplacer English tests. Take some time with the Reading portion of the manual as well as the grammar section of the Writing material. Focus on the following skills:

1. Reading 

Four broad knowledge and skill categories are assessed:

• information and ideas (reading closely, determining central ideas and themes, summarizing, understanding relationships).
• rhetoric (analyzing - word choice rhetorically, text structure, point of view, purpose, arguments).
• synthesis (synthesize information and ideas from multiple texts).
• vocabulary (determining the meaning of words and phrases).

Practice for Reading

• For more reading practice, review the reading comprehension chapter of a TOEFL study guide. Borrow this from the public library, or buy it from a bookstore or online. If English is your second language, work through the vocabulary exercises.

2. Writing

Two broad knowledge and skill categories are assessed:

• Expression of ideas

• Development – proposition, support, focus
• Organization – logical sequence, introductions, conclusions, and transitions
• Effective language use – precision, concision, style and tone, syntax

• Standard English conventions

• Sentence structure – sentence boundaries, Subordination and coordination, parallel structure, modifier placement, inappropriate shifts in verb tense, verb voice & mood and pronoun person & number
• Conventions of Usage – possessive determiners, noun agreement, pronoun clarity, pronoun-antecedent agreement, subject-verb agreement, frequently confused words, logical comparison, conventional expression
• Conventions of punctuation – end-of-sentence and within-sentence punctuation, possessive nouns and pronouns, items in a series, nonrestrictive and parenthetical elements, hyphenation conventions, unnecessary punctuation

Practice for Writing

• In the GED study guide, work through the Writing chapter to review grammar. This section will help polish the skills you need to pass the Writing portion of the test.

3. WritePlacer (Essay)

Five characteristics of writing are assessed:

• Focus: the clarity with which you maintain your main idea or point of view.
• Organization: the clarity with which you structure your response and present a logical sequence of ideas.
• Development and support: the extent to which you elaborate on your ideas and the extent to which you present supporting details.
• Sentence structure: the effectiveness of your sentence structure.
• Mechanical conventions: the extent to which your writing is free of errors in usage and mechanics.

Practice for WritePlacer (Essay)

In the GED study guide, refer to the Writing section. You should also do the practice essays. Have someone with a background in teaching English go over them with you. Write several essays (five or more) before booking your retest.