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

1.b. Mathematics

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

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

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

Mathematics and Statistics Requirements

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

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).”