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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

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Advising and Registration Days

First-Year Students

Placement Testing

Placement testing for new students at St. Cloud State University consists of Accuplacer (for basic English and math placement) and tests determined by one’s intended major.

Accuplacer is required for some students due to ACT subtest scores in reading and/or English.  Students are also able to place in higher level math courses than their ACT subtest score would indicate on the ACT by taking the Math Accuplacer exam.  The chart below can be useful in determining the need and/or opportunity to take one of the Accuplacer exams.

St. Cloud State also offers students the opportunity to test directly into major level courses in math, chemistry and/or biology (anatomy and physiology).  The chart below can assist one in the determination of whether these exams would be appropriate.

Arrival Time

 

Advising Day arrival time is based on the number of placement exams needed:

8:00 a.m.: Two or more placement exams needed
8:45 a.m.: One placement exam needed
9:15 a.m.: No placement exams needed

 

Determining Placement Exams

 

Major
Accuplacer

Biology Placement Exam

Recommended for students whose intended major is nursing or pre-occupational therapy

Reading Accuplacer Exam

Required for students who have an ACT score below 21 on the reading subtest AND  below 18 on the English subtest

Calculus Placement Exam

Recommended for students with the following intended majors:

  • Aviation, biotechnology, chemistry, computer science, earth sciences (except teaching), economics, elementary education (math specialty only), engineering, land surveying, mathematics, meteorology, network information security systems, network modeling & simulation, physics, pre-medicine, pre-optometry, pre-pharmacy, pre-physical therapy, pre-physician assistant, pre-podiatry, pre-veterinary science statistics (actuarial science)

Math Accuplacer Exam

Recommended for students who score below 21 on the math subtest of ACT

Recommended for students who have a score below 23 on the math subtest of ACT and have one of the following intended majors:

  • Business (all majors: accounting, business computer information systems, entrepreneurship, finance, general business, insurance, international business, management, marketing, and real estate), earth science teaching, medical technology, nuclear medicine technology, pre-dentistry, pre-law, pre-physician assistant, radiological technology, technology management

Recommended for students who have a score below 24 on the math subtest of ACT and have one of the following intended majors:

  • Pre-agriculture, pre-forestry, pre-horticulture, pre-medical record administration

Chemistry Placement Exam

Recommended for students with the following intended majors:

  • Biology (all majors: aquatic, biomedical, biotechnology, cell, general, ecology and field, medical technology, and Bachelor of Elective Studies), life science teaching, chemistry, meteorology, geology, hydrology, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, nuclear medical technology, radiological technology, pre-agriculture, pre-chiropractic, pre-dentistry, pre-forestry, pre-horticulture, pre-medicine, pre-mortuary science, pre-optometry, pre-pharmacy, pre-physical therapy, pre-physician assistant, pre-podiatry, and pre-veterinary science

 

Accuplacer does not take the place of your ACT scores. You must still submit theses scores to the Office of Records and Registration at St. Cloud State University.

For more questions regarding Accuplacer testing information, please see Frequently Asked Questions or call the Accuplacer Testing Center at 320-308-5697.