For any of these exams, reviewing the
Accuplacer Student Guide will help familiarize you with the format and types of questions you will find on the test.
Assessment test results determine your course placement for your first year. Students who have documented learning disabilities should contact
Jody_Goldstein@uml.edu for accommodations.
All tests must be completed prior to summer Orientation. Please visit our "Schedule a Testing Appointment" tab on the left hand side of this screen. We welcome incoming freshman on campus from March - June to complete their math and reading assessment testing requirements. The writing assessment test is proctored during your summer Orientation overnight experience.
A student’s standardized test scores and his or her intended major determine which tests will be required. The possible tests include:
Reading
All students, regardless of their major, with a critical reading SAT score of 500 or less, or an ACT score less than 24, must take the Accuplacer Reading test. **This score requirement has been modified by the MA Department of Higher Education as of 3/12/13.**
This test is designed to measure how well you are able to understand what you read. Some questions are sentence relationship-type questions, in which you must decide how two sentences are related. Other questions refer to reading passages of various lengths. Some passages are 75 words or less, while others are longer. The time limit for this test is 60 minutes.
Mathematics
The Calculus Readiness, Elementary Algebra, UML Business Math, and Nursing Math Competency tests must be taken before freshman students can attend summer Orientation.
Students who major in Engineering, Science, Math, or Sound Recording Technology will take an on-campus test developed by the University’s math department. The 20-question computerized exam tests students on algebra, geometry, trigonometry and functions, exponentials and logarithms. The time limit for this test is 60 minutes. Certain tests provide the test-taker with access to a calculator, however calculators are not permitted in the computer lab at any time.
A
practice test (pdf) is available for your use. (We recommend that students do not use a calculator during practice tests.)
Students who major in a health science major (with the exception of Nursing), humanities, social sciences, art and music (with the exception of Sound Recording Technology) take the Accuplacer Elementary Algebra test. The computerized exam is made up of 12 questions, with a time limit of 60 minutes. Please note that a calculator is not allowed during this test.
The Elementary Algebra test has three categories:
- Operations with integers and rational numbers include computation with integers and negative rationals and the use of absolute values and ordering.
- Operations with algebraic expressions test your ability with the evaluation of simple formulas and expressions; and the addition and subtraction of both monomials and polynomials. Both of these categories include questions about multiplying and dividing monomials and polynomials, evaluating positive, rational roots and exponents, simplifying algebraic fractions, and factoring.
- Equation solving, inequalities and word problems include solving systems of linear equations and quadratic equations by factoring, geometric reasoning, graphing and translating written phrases into algebraic expressions.
The nursing program requires students to take and pass a math exam with a 90 or higher percentile rate to be eligible to earn a nursing degree. Those students who don’t pass the test must register for a math course tailored for nursing majors. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be required to take the math test again.
A proficient understanding of basic math concepts and skills is expected of all nursing students to safely calculate and administer patient medications as well as educate patients and families on how to correctly measure their medications.
In addition, other math calculations involve the intake and output of fluids, body mass indices, wound size, intravenous fluids, and the nutritional composition of foods to name a few. Basic math concepts and skills include arithmetic, rounding, fractions, decimals, ratios and proportions, percents, dosage calculations and conversions of both metric and household units as well as correctly reading the exam questions.
A
practice test (pdf) is available for your use. (A basic calculator will be provided to students taking this exam. This exam is un-timed, but on average, students test for 30 to 60 minutes.)
UMass Lowell Business Math
The Manning School of Business requires all Business majors to take a specialized math assessment entitled UMass Lowell Business Math. A proficient understanding of basic math concepts and skills is expected. The computerized exam is made up of 20 questions, with a time limit of 60 minutes. Please note that a calculator is not allowed during this test.
The UMass Lowell Business Math assessment includes basic algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus.
A practice test (pdf) will be available Summer 2013.
This test will be administered to all students during their Orientation.
The test will provide two prompts and ask students to choose one and write an appropriate essay. The exam lasts an hour. The University’s College Writing faculty evaluates each student’s writing sample and determines the student's placement into his or her writing course.
A
sample essay (pdf) with reviewers' comments, is available for your review.