Lackawanna College Assessment Testing
Lackawanna College offers computerized assessment testing in mathematics, reading and writing using ACCUPLACER, a testing package produced by the College Board. All test questions are multiple choice questions. A student needs no special computer skills to take these tests.
In addition to reviewing carefully for these tests, be sure to take your time while testing and do your best. Your test results will determine your course assessment at Lackawanna College.
The tests are administered in the Lackawanna College Admissions Office computer lab. Testing days and times are Monday thru Friday, 8 AM to 2 PM. Please contact your admissions advisor to schedule your assessment test.
The assessment tests are untimed. If you need to take the mathematics, reading and writing tests, plan on approximately two (2) hours of testing. Most students finish their testing in less than two (2) hours. Unlimited timing is the only accommodation offered for students with disabilities.
Bring a pencil with an eraser to your test. Lackawanna College staff will provide you with all other necessary materials, including a calculator and scrap paper.
You will receive your test results via U.S. mail. Your results are valid for three (3) years. Retests within one year are rarely given and then only under special circumstances.
The Academic Development Division at Lackawanna College will evaluate your test results and your transcripts (high school and/or college) to determine your course level: developmental, transitional, or college. Students who test into a developmental or transitional level are required to complete the appropriate course(s) at the beginning of their Lackawanna College studies to remediate their skills. Developmental courses (courses having codes that begin with DEV, such as DEV030) do not count towards graduation. More information can be found on the Academic Developmental Division website.
NOTE: Please share this information with your parents or guardians.
Information about ACCUPLACER
The College Board provides information about ACCUPLACER at the following website: ACCUPLACER Overview. The helpful information on this webpage includes Sample Questions and Tips for Taking ACCUPLACER.
In the Sample Questions area, you can study the kinds of directions which are used on the test. Read all directions carefully. Be sure that you understand the directions before you begin section of the test.
Each test is a multiple-choice test. You must answer every question. Before you move on to the next question, you may change your answer to that question. Once you have completed a question and moved to the next questions, you cannot return to a previous question.
Sentence Skills Test (20 questions)
The Sentence Skills Test requires you to understand sentence structure, the logic of the sentence, and the relationship between coordination and subordination. There are 20 questions of two types. The first type of question involves sentence correction. For example, a question may ask you to choose the most appropriate word or phrase to substitute for the underlined portion of the sentence. The second type of question involves construction shift. For example, these questions ask that a sentence be rewritten according to the criteria shown while maintaining essentially the same meaning as the original sentence.
Reading Comprehension Test (20 questions)
The Reading Comprehension Test requires you to understand what you read, to critically analyze the main ideas of a passage, and to draw inferences. There are 20 questions of two types. The first type includes both long and short reading passages with questions based on the text. Passages are classified by their degree of difficulty. For example, a question may be based on explicit statements related to the main idea of the passage, the secondary idea, an application of the statement, or an inference. The second type involves sentence relationships. Two sentences are presented followed by a question about the relationship between the two sentences. For example, a question may ask if the statement in the second sentence supports that in the first, if it contradicts it, or if it repeats the same information.
Mathematics Test
The majority of mathematics test items correspond to content normally encountered by students in high school mathematics courses. Lackawanna College urges you to review the following information to prepare yourself for the test. Please do not assume that your knowledge of arithmetic and elementary algebra will return to you at the time of the test without prior review. Poor performance on this test can put you significantly behind.
Arithmetic Portion of the Test (17 questions) covers:
- Operations with whole numbers and fractions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, recognizing equivalent fractions and mixed numbers, and estimating.
- Operations with decimals and percents: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with decimals. Other topics include percents, recognition of decimals, fraction and percent equivalencies, and estimation.
- Applications and problem solving: rate, percent, measurement, simple geometry, and distribution of a quantity into its fractional parts.
Elementary Algebra Portion of the Test (12 questions) covers:
- Operations with integers and rational numbers, computation with integers and negative rational numbers, the use of absolute values, and ordering.
- Operations with algebraic expressions using evaluation of simple formulas and expressions, adding and subtracting monomials and polynomials, multiplying and dividing monomials and polynomials, the evaluation of positive rational roots and exponents, simplifying algebraic fractions, and factoring.
- Solving equations, word problems, linear equations, and inequalities. Also, solving quadratic equations by factoring, solving verbal problems presented in an algebraic context including geometric reasoning and graphing, and translating written phrases into algebraic expressions.
Preparing for These Tests
If you plan to take an assessment test, Lackawanna College strongly encourages you to review appropriate materials before you test. NOTE: The students who do not do well on the assessment tests tend to be the students who have not reviewed. If you are testing in math, please do not assume that your knowledge of algebra will return at testing time. Plan to review math for at least five hours.
Helpful Websites
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