Undergraduate Placement Testing
Course Placement Testing Policy
To support student success and to meet the requirements of Minnesota State policy 3.31, St. Cloud State University has developed the following procedure for assessing new entering students’ skills in reading, writing, and mathematics.
All new incoming students, including transfer students, are required to take the ACCUPLACER subject tests if one or more of the following conditions apply:
- If the student does not have ACT or SAT equivalent test scores
- If the ACT or SAT equivalent test scores fall below the cut scores determined for English, Reading, and Mathematics for exemption from placement testing.
ACT, SAT and MCA Scores2
Shelf life of ACT, SAT and MCA equivalent scores for exemption from testing
The shelf life of equivalent scores is 5 years from original test year in order to be considered for exemption.
Appeal process
See appropriate director or department head for appeal information and forms.
Exemption from testing will be based on scores as follows:
1.a. Reading and English
ACT Reading and English Sub-Scores |
Action |
21 or above in the Reading subtest OR 18 or above in the English subtest |
Student may enroll in English 191 |
Below 21 in the Reading subtest AND Below 18 in the English subtest |
Student will take the ACCUPLACER Reading subtest |
SAT ERW |
Action |
480 or above | Student may enroll in English 191 |
Below 480 | Student will take the ACCUPLACER Reading subtest |
MCA |
Action |
Below 1047 on Reading NOTE: MCA scores not used for writing placement |
Student will take the ACCUPLACER Reading subtest |
1.b. Mathematics
ACT Math Sub-Score |
Highest Class |
24 or above | Math 115, STAT 219, 239 |
22 or above | Math 196, 112, 201 |
20 or above | Math 193, 072, STAT 193 |
Below 20 | Math 070 |
SAT Math |
Highest Class |
530 or above | Math 072, 193, 112, STAT 193 |
Below 530 | Math 070 |
MCA Math |
Highest Class |
1148 or above | STAT 193, Math 072 |
1150 or above | STAT 193, Math 193 |
1158 or above | Math 112, 193, STAT 193 |
Below 1148 | Math 070 |
NOTE: Students may be able to place into higher level math courses than indicated by their ACT/SAT/MCA scores. To do so, they must take the ACCUPLACER Mathematics test. Please see Math Department for further information.
1.c. EAP
|
ACT Reading and English Sub-Scores |
Action |
Non-native speakers of English who are NOT international students3 | 21 or above in the Reading subtest OR 18 or above in the English subtest |
Student may enroll in English 191 |
Below 21 in the Reading subtest AND Below 18 in the English subtest |
|
|
Non-native speakers of English who are international students | 600 or above in the paper-based TOEFL OR 250 or above in the computer-based TOEFL OR 100 or above in the iBT TOEFL with subscores no less than 25 in reading, writing, and listeningFor additional exemption criteria, refer to the EAP Program website (http://www.stcloudstate.edu/eap/exam.aspx). |
Student may enroll in English 191. |
Below 600 in the paper-based TOEFL OR Below 250 in the computer-based TOEFL OR Below 100 in the iBT TOEFL and one or more subscores less than 25 in reading, writing, and listening OR None of the additional exemption criteria is met. |
Student will take the ESL ACCUPLACER Reading and Listening tests AND College ESL writing test. |
ACCUPLACER Testing
The Minnesota State Assessment for Course Placement Committee (ACPC), after researching several testing instruments has chosen ACCUPLACER as the primary testing instrument in Reading, Mathematics, and ESL to assess student skills. Sample questions may be viewed at the ACCUPLACER website: www.testprepreview.com/accuplacer_practice.htm.
Retesting
Students are allowed one (1) retest in a calendar year.
International students who are non-native speakers of English are required to take required ESL courses during their first semester at SCSU; therefore, retesting is not allowed.
Appeal Process
See appropriate director or department head for appeal information and forms.
Accommodation for students with disabilities
Student will contact Student Accessibility Services for information regarding testing accommodations, dates, and sites.
The following cut scores in each of the areas determines placement as described below:
2.a. English and Reading
ACCUPLACER Test Scores |
Action |
78 or above in Reading | Student may enroll in English 191 |
77 or below in Reading | Student will be placed into appropriate Reading AND English courses |
2.b. Mathematics
Transfer students present evidence of prerequisite for exemption.
All students wanting to enroll in a math course above MATH 070 must present an ACT math score or will be required to take the ACCUPLACER placement test in one or more of the following areas:
- ACCUPLACER Elementary Algebra (EA) And/Or
- ACCUPLACER Intermediate Algebra (IA) And/Or
- College Level Mathematics (CLM)
Mathematics and Statistics Courses
Math 070 |
Math 072 |
Math 112 |
Math 115 |
Math 211 |
Math 221 |
|
ACT math subscore minimum | 20 | 22 | 24 | |||
Calculus Readiness Test Minimum | 16 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 20 | |
ACCUPLACER minimums | None required | 70 EA | 60 IA or 50 CLM | 65 IA or 50 CLM | 60 CLM | 65 CLM |
Mathematics and Statistics Requirements
First Requirement |
Math 221 | Math 211 | Stat 219, 239 | Math 112 115, 196, 201 | Math 193 Stat 193 |
Recommended Preparation | Math 115 or Math 112 and Math 113 |
Math 112 | Stat 193 | ||
Review | Math 072 Math 070 | Math 072 Math 070 | Math 070 | Math 072 Math 070 | Math 070 |
Goal 4: Mathematical/Logical Reasoning
CSCI 200; MATH 112, 113, 115, 193, 196, 201, 211, 221, 222; PHIL 223; STAT 193, 219, 239
For more information, testing schedule and practice questions, see the Department of Mathematics and Statistics site.
2.c. ESL
Course Placement Tests |
Course Placements |
|
ACCUPLACER Listening Test | 90 or above | Exempt from ESL Listening & Speaking courses |
80 ~ 89.9 | ESL Listening & Speaking 201 | |
70 ~ 79.9 | ESL Listening & Speaking 101 | |
Below 70 | No permission to take ESL L&S. Recommended to take IEC courses | |
College ESL Essay Test & ACCUPLACER Reading TestWhen the test scores from these two tests place a student in two different levels of ESL Reading & Writing, the essay test score will be used for the placement decision. |
85 or above on the Essay Test AND 100 or above on ACCUPLACER Reading |
Exempt from ESL Reading & Writing courses |
75 ~ 84.9 on the Essay Test OR 90 ~ 99.9 on ACCUPLACER Reading |
ESL Reading & Writing 202 | |
70 ~ 75 on Essay Test OR Below 90 on ACCUPLACER Reading |
ESL Reading & Writing 102 | |
Below 70 on Essay Test | No permission to take ESL R&W. Recommended to take IEC courses |
1The Minnesota State Assessment for Course Place Committee website can be found at http://www.minnstate.edu/board/procedure/303p1.html
2See Appendix I for SAT Equivalent scores.
3 According to the definition in Minnesota State Board Policy 3.4 Part 1, “An International Student is a student who is required to be registered under the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).”