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Frequently Asked Questions about Placement Exams
- Do I need to take a placement exam?
- Can I use the placement exam from another college?
- How much time before I register for my classes do I have to take the exam?
- How do I register for the placement exam(s)?
- What is Accuplacer?
- What is a proctor?
- How do I find a proctor in my area or location?
- Can I use a librarian to proctor my placement exams?
- Why does this exam have to be proctored?
- How long does it take for my proctor to get my placement exam and how will they get it?
- How will I know if I the proctor I chose was approved?
- What happens after my proctor is approved?
- How much does it cost to take a placement test?
- What do I need to bring with me to take the exam?
- Why can’t I use a calculator?
- Can I walk in and take the placement test?
- What are the hours of operation of the Adelphi Testing Center?
- How many questions are on the placement exam?
- How can I study for the placement test?
- How long does the placement exam take to complete?
- When will I know into which class I placed?
- When will the results of the placement exams be posted?
- If I do not like the score of my placement exam, can I retake it? How long do I have to wait until I can take it again?
- I am planning to take my placement exam in about 3 months, can I register now?
- What if I am being deployed? Will I still need to take the placement exam? How will I do that?
Q: Do I need to take a placement exam?
A: Placement testing is done for math and English. Only students transferring a course equivalent to ENGL 101 and/or MATH 105/107 are exempt from taking the placement test unless you choose to begin with MATH 009. Placement testing will not be waived.
Q: Do I need to take a placement exam?
A: Placement testing is done for math and English. Only students transferring a course equivalent to ENGL 101 and/or MATH 105/107 are exempt from taking the placement test unless you choose to begin with MATH 009. Placement testing will not be waived.
Q: Can I use the placement exam from another college?
A: No. Our questions and guidelines are unique to our institution. Therefore, we cannot accept placements from other colleges.
Q: How much time before I register for my classes do I have to take the exam?
A: We would suggest that you take your placement exam as soon as possible so you may be placed in the correct class for the semester. However, your results should be posted within 48 hours from the date you tested. You cannot register until the results have been posted.
Q: How do I register for the placement exam(s)?
A: You will need your proctor’s name, title, professional email address, address, and telephone number. Log into MYUMUC and choose My Academics > Registration > Undergrad Placement Exam Registration and follow the prompts.
A: Accuplacer is the system that administers our placement exams.
A: A proctor is an impartial individual who ensures the security and integrity of the exams and monitors the student while taking an exam or a test.
Q: How do I find a proctor in my area or location?
A: You may use any 2- or 4-year college or university/ testing or learning center to proctor your exam. In rare instances, you may use a librarian provided he or she provides proper documentation.
Q: Can I use a librarian to proctor my placement exams?
A: You may use a librarian; however, a special form goes out to librarians for proctoring purposes. The timeframe that the form is returned and whether or not the librarian can accommodate your request may have an affect on the approval or rejection time for the placement exam.
Q: Why does this exam have to be proctored?
A: The agreement with Accuplacer and the integrity of our exams are such that they cannot be compromised. Therefore, all undergraduate exams, including placement exams, must be proctored.
Q: How long does it take for my proctor to get my placement exam and how will they get it?
A: From the time you register for the placement exam, it may take up to 48 hours for your proctor to get the email containing the information needed to administer your exam.
Q: How will I know if I the proctor I chose was approved?
A: If you have an up-to-date email address in MYUMUC, you will receive an email letting you know that your proposed proctor has been approved.
Q: What happens after my proctor is approved?
A: After your proctor is approved, you may contact your proctor and schedule an appointment to sit for the exam.
If you have registered at the Adelphi Testing Center, then you should come to the testing center on the day that you selected to take the exam.
Q: How much does it cost to take a placement test?
A: There is no cost for the test itself. If you are taking the test at an approved alternate site, you may incur a cost for the proctor and/or the site.
Q: What do I need to bring with me to take the exam?
A: A picture ID is required to sit for a placement test regardless of site location.
Q: Why can’t I use a calculator?
A: The math placement test is designed so that a calculator pops up on the screen when the student reaches a certain level in the test. Therefore, you do not need to bring a stand-alone calculator.
Q: Can I walk in and take the placement test?
A: You may walk in at the Adelphi testing center during posted hours to take the placement exam; walkins are accommodated on a space-available basis. Please keep in mind that the testing center closes promptly at the designated times.
Q: What are the hours of operation of the Adelphi Testing Center?
A: The hours of operation for the Adelphi Testing Center can be found on our Web site at: www.umuc.edu/testing
Q: How many questions are on the placement exam?
A: There are 17-22 questions on the math placement exam and 22 questions on the English placement exam.
Q: How can I study for the placement test?
A: Students may use resources such as SAT preparation books, CLEP review books, or practice tests to review for the placement test. Many students find that a GED or SAT review book (available at most bookstores and public libraries) is helpful in reviewing for the placement tests.
You can also visit our Web site at www.umuc.edu/testing and choose Information for Students > Placement Testing; links to practice materials are available there.
Q: How long does the placement exam take to complete?
A: The math placement exam is an adaptive test. Therefore, it depends on the student how long the exam will take. Generally, it takes anywhere from 1 hour to an hour and a half. The English placement exam is more comprehensive and may take longer than the math placement exam.
Q: When will I know into which class I placed?
A: You should know at the end of the exam session into which class you placed. Occasionally, the software does not allow students to print their results. However, as long as your proctor used our link, then Accuplacer has a copy of your placement.
Q: When will the results of the placement exams be posted?
A: The results of the placement exam will be posted into PeopleSoft approximately 48 hours after you complete your exam. Your advisor should be able to see your results by then.
A: A retest can be rescheduled 90 days after the original test date.
Q: I am planning to take my placement exam in about 3 months, can I register now?
A: We suggest that students take their placement exams within 4-6 weeks from the approval date. However, you can register as far in advance as you’d like.
Q: What if I am being deployed? Will I still need to take the placement exam? How will I do that?
A: Yes you will still need to take the placement exam. Please visit: www.umuc.edu/testing and click on “Register for proctored exams” to learn how to find an acceptable proctor while you are deployed.