Course Placement

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Course Placement

Course Placement at Anoka-Ramsey

Current course placements can be found in your eServices (link) account under Courses and Registration -> Course Placement. If placement information is not available for one or more subjects, more information is needed to determine your course placement.

To determine placement please start by completing the Course Placement Evaluation Request.

In addition, if possible, please provide any of the above documentation to your request:

  • Valid High school GPA (Within the last 10 years)
  • High School transcript (within the last 10 years)
  • GED scores
  • Scores from ACT, SAT, MN Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) (Within the last 5 years)
    Advance Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
  • Completion of college-level coursework from an accredited college or university.

Also, if you are seeking an appeal or a new placement review based on previous scores, options regarding a re-test or for any other reason placement needs to be determined, please fill out the Course Placement Evaluation Request.

If you are unable to provide this information, please contact testingservices@anokaramsey.edu for additional placement guidance.

The Accuplacer Placement exam may be used when necessary to determine placement. The Accuplacer can be scheduled either remotely, (technology is required) or in-person BY APPOINTMENT only. Please complete a Course Placement Evaluation Request first. From there, you will receive instructions on further testing if needed. For any questions or to schedule a remote or in-person placement exam. Please email testingservices@anokaramsey.edu.

The Accuplacer is a placement test that assesses skill levels in reading, English composition and mathematics. Test results are required for all students and used to determine the appropriate course placement to promote student success in college. 

Accuplacer test scores are valid five years for reading and two years for math. To obtain a copy of your scores, please complete the Request for Accuplacer Score Report form. To understand your test results, review the Accuplacer Interpretation Handout or contact our Testing Advisor at 763-433-1952 or email brigett.hippen@anokaramsey.edu.

If you have taken the Accuplacer test at another college, have completed a college level math and/or English course through another college, or would like ACT, SAT and/or MCA scores to be considered in course placement please send an official copy of your scores/grades to the Records and Registration Office. Also, complete the Course Placement Evaluation Request and return to testing services.

Prepare for Accuplacer

Accuplacer testing on-campus is currently suspended. To determine placement using alternative options, please complete the Course Placement Evaluation Request.

Accuplacer Preparation

The Accuplacer helps determine the best place to begin your program of study. We want to make sure that your results accurately reflect the courses you should take so make sure you prepare!

Check out the Resources to Prepare for the Accuplacer Test below.

Tutoring Resources

ARCC provides free ACCUPLACER prep tutoring for prospective students. Students can get help on either campus, although the format is different.

Cambridge Campus
To schedule a one-on-one appointment, contact Mark Mueller (763-433-1857) for Math help and Paul Whiteford (763-433-1826) for Writing help.

Coon Rapids Campus
To attend the ACCUPLACER prep workshops, please contact the Math Skills Center (763-433-1260) or sign-up online.

    • ACT, SAT, MCA, and Accuplacer scores that are valid and meet placement cut scores
    • Transfer coursework that is equivalent to reading, English and mathematics courses at Anoka-Ramsey
    • High School GPA and academic history if within 10 years, transcripts are not required but highly encouraged
    • Completion of an associate’s, a baccalaureate, or higher degree

    You may be exempt from taking all or portions of the placement test for the following reasons:

    Qualifying ACT scores:

    Assessment

    Score

    Course Placement

    Reading

    21

    READ 1106 College Textbook Reading (not required)

    READ 1108 College Reading III (not required)

    English

    18

    ENGL 1121 College Writing & Critical Reading

    Mathematics

    18

    Math 0240 Mathematical Concepts with Elementary Algebra

    Mathematics

    20

    Math 0250 Intermediate Algebra
    Math 1100 Mathematics for Liberal Arts
    Math 1110/Math 1114 Introduction to Statistics

    Mathematics

    22

    Math 1120 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers
    Math 1200 College Algebra

    Mathematics

    25

    Math 1201 Colleg Algebra and Trigonometry
    Math 1210 Pre-Calculus

    Mathematics 28+ Math 1400 Calculus

    Qualifying Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) with minimum scores:

    Assessment

    Score

    Course Placement

    Reading
    (Starting in 2013)

    1047

    READ 1106 College Textbook Reading (not required)

    READ 1108 College Reading III (not required)

    English

    NA

    NA

    Mathematics
    (Starting in 2014)

    1150

    Math 1100 Math for Liberal Arts

    1148

    Math 1114 Introduction to Statistics

    1158

    Math 1200 College Algebra

    Qualifying SAT Scores:

    Assessment

    Score

    Course Placement

    Reading

    Evidence-based Reading & Writing (ERW) 480

    READ 1106 College Textbook Reading (not required)

    READ 1108 College Reading III (not required)

    English

    Evidence-based Reading & Writing (ERW) 480

    ENGL 1121 College Writing & Critical Reading

    Mathematics

    Math 530

    Math 1200 College Algebra

    If you have graduated from high school within the last 10 years, your GPA may assist in placement decisions if included with any of the above standardized tests. Please submit official transcripts to our Records department.

    Students whose sub-scores are lower in one of these areas must take the placement test in that area. ACT, MCA and SAT scores are valid for 5 years.

    If you have taken the Accuplacer test at another college, have completed a college level math and/or English course through another college, or would like ACT, SAT and/or MCA scores to be considered in course placement please send an official copy of your scores/grades to the Records and Registration Office or complete this Course Placement Evaluation Request.

  • English

    Accuplacer Next-Generation Reading Resources

    The reading portion of the placement test consists of multiple-choice questions that assess four content areas: Information and Ideas, Rhetoric, Synthesis and Vocabulary.

    Cengage Learning Student Resource Center
    Accuplacer Online Practice/Sample Tests
    Oklahoma State University Reading Strategies

    Math

    This is an adaptive test which means the computer will automatically decide the next question to give you based on your responses to previous questions. Because of the adaptability, you cannot omit any questions or come back to change an answer later. When the math test starts, you begin with questions in the topic Accuplacer calls Intermediate Algebra. Pending your performance, you may move on to the Arithmetic Test or Advanced Algebraic Functions Test.

    Test Sequence Progression

    1. Intermediate Algebra - 20 questions
      (Algebra II)
    2. Arithmetic - 20 questions
      (percents, operations with integers, fractions, decimals and basic word problems.)
    3. Advanced Algebraic Functions - 20 questions
      (Algebra II, Trigonometry, Probability and Statistics, Geometry and Pre-Calculus)

    Resources

    • There is no fee to take the initial assessment test; however there is a $10 retest fee for each retest session.
    • Bring your student ID number and a picture identification.
    • This is an untimed test; allow 2-3 hours to take the test. 
    • Calculators are not allowed. Scratch paper is provided.
    • All personal belongings will be stored in a locker, including, but not limited to book bags, coats, hats, cell phones (turned off), etc. 
    • No food or beverages allowed.
    • Children are not allowed in the testing center and must not be left unattended.
  • Reading and English, Mathematics: Accuplacer Interpretation (PDF)

    English Language Learner (ELL) Pathway: Accuplacer Interpretation (PDF)

    Math Pathways (PDF)
    Your placement test (Accuplacer) score determines your math starting point.

    • If you are not satisfied with your placement results, you may retest.
    • There is a $10 retest fee for each retest session. Please come to the Testing Center to verify if the retest fee is applicable.
    • Students may retest twice (for each placement exam: reading comprehension, arithmetic, elementary algebra and/or college level math) within 12 months of the first testing date, regardless of where the test was administered.

Supplementary Information

  • Contacts

    Testing Services

    Cambridge Campus
    763-433-1980
    Fax: 763-433-1841

    Coon Rapids Campus
    763-433-1180
    Fax: 763-433-1521

  • Locations

    Cambridge Campus
    Rm D208A

    Coon Rapids Campus
    Rm SC150

  • Upcoming Workshops

    Accuplacer Prep
    Workshop Series

    Arithmetic and Algebra level instruction available in 10-session series.

  • Forms

  • Language Placement Testing

    Placement test for French, German, or Spanish.

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