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What are the ACCUPLACER Tests?

The College Board© developed the ACCUPLACER© Computerized Placement Tests (CPTs) to provide information about your level of skill and accomplishment in reading, writing, English and mathematics. SMCC uses the scores you receive and other information that you provide to help determine the English, mathematics, and reading courses that are most appropriate for you.

*Please note: If you do not have a Math SAT score of 490 or higher OR have not taken a college credit math course, we encourage you to test in the math portion of the Accuplacer. Although the math portion of the Accuplacer is not necessary for general admission to the College, it is necessary for placement in many courses. Students who are not otherwise exempt from the math portion of the Accuplacer, and who choose not to take the math portion of the test, will automatically be placed in Numerical Mathematics which is the first of two developmental math courses.

 

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Who is exempt from the ACCUPLACER Tests?

All prospective students who have any of the following test scores and/or previous college coursework are exempt from this admissions requirement and are admissible to the college:

  • SAT 450 or greater Verbal/Critical Reading places student into College Level English.
  • SAT 430 Verbal/Critical Reading places students into pre-college level ENGL 050 College Reading Skills and ENGL 075 Basic Writing II.
  • ACT 21 composite places students into College Level English and College Level Math.
  • ASSET 42 Reading and 45 Writing places students into College Level English.
  • Compass 80 Reading and 79 Writing places students into College Level English.
  • Successfully completed college level English courses from a regionally accredited institution place students into College Level English.
  • Successfully completed college level mathematics courses from a regionally accredited institution place students into College Level Mathematics.
  • SAT 490 Math places students into College Level Math. Students with math SAT scores of 490 or greater are encouraged to take the Accuplacer test for placement into advanced college math courses.
  • SAT 350 Math places students into pre-college level MATH 050 Introduction to Algebra.
  • ASSET 36 Numerical Skills and 46 Elementary Algebra places students into college level math.
  • Compass 51 Algebra places students into college level math.
  • TOEFL score of 61 (internet-based), 172 (computer- based), or 500 (paper-based) places student in College level English.

NOTE: Students always have the option to take the Accuplacer tests for higher level placement assessment.  Back to Top ^


How do I sign up to take an Admissions Test?

To schedule an Accuplacer or NET/HOBET exam please access the on-line reservation system at http://advise.smccme.edu/

  • For Enrollment Services/admissions assessments use the password: lighthouse
  • For the NET/HOBET exam use the password: NETTEST

If you are having trouble with a password, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . New applicants to the college are encouraged to complete an application online prior to signing up for a testing appointment.  Back to Top ^


Where can I take the Accuplacer test?

Accuplacer testing is administered at the SMCC main campus in South Portland and the SMCC Bath Campus. To sign-up for a test, please visit: http://advise.smccme.edu.

SMCC also accepts Accuplacer scores taken at other institutions. Students should fax, mail, or hand-deliver scores to our Enrollment Services Center at:

Enrollment Services Office
Southern Maine Community College
2 Fort Road
South Portland, ME 04106
Fax: 207-741-5760

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ACCUPLACER Standard Scores and Placement at SMCC

Accuplacer score requirements for college level courses are 68 in Reading, 80 in Sentence Skills, 60 in Arithmetic, 67 in Elementary Algebra. Students who do not test into college level courses are required to complete developmental coursework or retest into college level courses. Developmental Level courses are sequential and will need to be completed before moving to college level courses.

Because testing determines placement and affects admission, students may choose to re-test up to 2 times for a total of 3 Accuplacer tests. Students are required to wait a minimum of 2 weeks before retesting. Special consideration with retesting may be granted based on documented academic progress. Please see Enrollment Services for more details.

READING AND WRITING CUT SCORES

Placement Recommendations Reading Sentence Skills
College Level Writing

ENGL 100: English Comp
68

ENGL 100
80

ENGL 100
Developmental Level II
ENGL 050: Basic Reading &
ENGL 075: Basic Writing
Greater than or Equal to  50 and less than 68

ENGL 050
Greater than or equal to 60 and less than 80 on the Sentence Skills

ENGL 075
Adult Education Less than 50

Referral
Less than 60

Referral

MATH CUT SCORES

Placement Recommendations Arithmetic Algebra CLM
Pre-calculus, College Trigonometry, Finite Math, Statistics 60 or higher
85 or higher 37

(MATH 160,190, 220, 230)
College level:
College Algebra,
Contemporary,
College Algebra & Trigonometry
Greater than or Equal to  60 Greater than or
Equal to  67

(MATH 110, 140, 145, 125)
N/A
Developmental
Level II
MATH 050
Greater than or Equal to 60

Less than 67

(MATH 050)
N/A
Developmental
Level I
MATH 020
Greater than or equal to 28 and less than 60

MATH 020
N/A N/A
Adult Education Less than 28 N/A  

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LOEP Scores and Placement at SMCC

The LOEP is a series of tests for students whose primary language is not English. The college uses scores based on 4 tests: Reading Skills, Sentence Meaning, Language Usage and Listening.

Placement into ESL reading and writing courses is based on the composite scores of Reading Skills, Sentence Meaning, and Language Usage. Students with scores ranging from 248-277 place into ESOL 070 and ESOL 075, Intermediate Reading and Writing (ESL Level II Courses). Students with scores ranging from 278-325 place into ESOL 090 and ESOL 095, Advanced Academic Reading and Writing (ESL Level III Courses).

Placement into ESL Listening and Speaking courses is based on test scores in Listening. Students with scores ranging from 70-79 place into ESOL-065, Intermediate Listening and Speaking (ESL Level II Course). Students with scores ranging from 80-89 place into ESOL 085, Advanced Listening and Speaking (ESL Level III Course).

Students with a composite score in Reading Skills, Sentence Meaning, and Language Usage of 326 or higher AND a Listening score of 90 or higher place into College Level English courses.

All ESL Level II courses need to be completed before moving on to ESL Level III courses.

Students are required to wait a minimum of 2 weeks before retesting.  Back to Top ^


ACCUPLACER Admissions Test Preparation Guide

To download information about the ACCUPLACER Assessment Test or a copy of the the ACCUPLACER Assessment Study Guide, please select one of the links below:

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2 Fort Road, South Portland, Maine 04106
207.741.5500 or Toll Free in Maine 1.877.282.2182
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