Assessment Testing Center
Take Your Placement Tests

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Anoka Technical College (ATC) requires all students declaring a major (view Anoka Technical College Academic Programs) to complete the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MNSCU) system-endorsed Accuplacer Computerized Placement Test (CPT).  The Accuplacer is sometimes referred to as 'college entrance exam' or 'new student assessment'. 

The tests measure your current skills level, not your potential.  Test results provide reading, writing, and math skills information for you and your advisor to plan a course of study. You may start your program regardless of your test scores unless your program requires placement testing as a program prerequisite. Follow the Academic Programs link to take a look at your Program Plan.

Exemptions and Exceptions - Determine whether you are exempt from taking all or part of the Accuplacer by reading about exemptions. 

Make an Appointment

 The Accuplacer Computerized Placement Test (CPT) is routinely offered by appointment only on:

  • Tuesdays at 1 p.m.
  • Thursdays at 9 a.m., and the
  • 2nd Tuesday of every month at 5 p.m. 

Schedule an appointment by calling Admissions at (763) 576-4850. 

Important Note:  To attend your test session, you will be required to show a picture ID.  You may not test without one.

Test at Another Location

Students have the option to take Accuplacer at any Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system campus (view campus location map).  Students are responsible for:

  1. scheduling their test at the college of their choice, and
  2. asking the other MnSCU campus Test Administrator to distance proctor their test from the Anoka Tech Accuplacer Web site. 
Test Accommodations

Arrangements for test accommodations can be made by contacting the Office on Disabilities. 

Find Us

Enter through the Main Entrance, continue down the main corridor checking overhead for the Academic Resource Center sign.  The Assessment Testing Center is located in Academic Resource Center Room 185. 

Directions and Map to Anoka Technical College

Hours of Operations

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(763) 576-4850 for appointment 
(763) 576-4761 direct
(763) 576-4766 Academic Resource Center Reception

About Accuplacer - know before you go!

Anoka Technical College requires that all new students take the following three Accuplacer tests:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Sentence Skills
  • Arithmetic

If your Program Plan includes MATH 1500 Mathematical Ideas, MATH 1600 College Algebra, MATH 1650 College Trigonometry, or MATH 1700 Pre-Calculus you may also be required to take these tests:

  • Elementary Algebra
  • College Level Math  

Follow the Academic Programs link to take a look at your Program Plan.

Accuplacer is not a pass/fail test.  The multiple-choice test is used to help you choose classes wisely so you will not enroll in courses that are too easy or too difficult for you.  Your scores will indicate whether you

  1. place directly into college-level reading, writing, and math courses, OR
  2. begin by taking developmental reading, writing, and math courses.

College-level courses.  A college-level course is a college or university course that meets college-level standards. Credits earned in a college-level course apply toward the requirements of a certificate, diploma, or degree. 

Developmental-level courses.  A developmental-level course is a course designed to prepare a student for entry into college-level courses. Developmental-level course credits do not apply toward a certificate, diploma, or degree.

Important Details

  • You will be required to show a picture ID.  You may not test without one.
  • Most students finish in approximately two hours.
  • Calculators are not allowed, although an electronic calculator will be available on some questions when permitted by Accuplacer. 
  • Scratch paper and pencil will be provided.
  • Reference to notes, books, or dictionaries is not permitted during testing.

Print Information for New Students

Prepare for Test 

If you have been away from school for more than a year, you may wish to review basic skills in reading, grammar, and math.   

Attend FREE review sessions on-campus
If you are no longer in high school, you may review basic skills by entering the NO FEE Metro North Adult Basic Education (ABE) program.  The ABE teacher will help you identify areas you need to study and provide you assistance in gaining necessary knowledge and skills. The no fee program requires a minimum of twelve hours of review. 

GET STARTED by attending ABE Orientation in Academic Resource Center Room 181.   

High school students may refer to their high school counselors and teachers for review assistance.

Other Accuplacer Review Web Sites
Mindquest Academy
Test Prep Review
Study Guide Zone

Exemptions

To be considered for exemption you must submit official documentation of prior learning to the Dean of Academic Resources, located in the Admissions office.  Students will be notified of testing exemption determinations within ten working days.  After notification, it is the students responsibility to contact the Admissions office for an appointment to take identified Accuplacer tests.

You *may be exempt from all or part of the placement test if

  • you are a transfer student and have completed relevant coursework (college level reading, English or mathematics with a transcripted 2.0 GPA or above).  No time limit.

  • you have a degree from an accredited US institution of higher learning.  No time limit.

  • you have taken the Accuplacer Reading Comprehension and Sentence Skills tests (or completed relevant developmental coursework) within the past three years, and/or the Arithmetic test (or completed relevant developmental coursework) within the past two years.

  • you are not seeking a degree, diploma, or certificate.  Please note students who are not seeking a degree, diploma, or certificate are not eligible for financial aid.

  • you have ACT subscores of 24 or higher no more than three years old.

*Exceptions
There are exceptions.  Students are required to complete course and program requirements which may include placement testing as a prerequisite.  Most programs at Anoka Technical College do not have program prerequisites.  Exceptions include Occupational Therapy Assistant, Practical Nursing, and Surgical Technology.  Program plans are subject to change.  Confirm Program Plan requirements with your academic advisor. 

Interpret Accuplacer Test Results

View the INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS flier for a scores interpretation unique to Anoka Technical College (ATC).  Other educational institutions may have other guidelines.

Meet With an Advisor
The Admissions office will notify you via mail with the date and time of your Orientation/Registration.  You will meet your advisor then to share your test results and plan a course of study. 

Meet with the Anoka Tech Counselor
Schedule a meeting to receive counseling services. 

Get a Copy of Your Test Results

Consent for Release of Information
To request that your scores be sent to another school, print then complete the Consent for Release of Information form.  To ensure processing of your request, you must provide a fax number and/or complete address information.

Either fax or mail the form as directed below.  Your scores will be released within ten working days.

Fax
(763) 576-4821

Mail
Anoka Technical College
Assessment Testing Center, ARC RM 185
1355 West Highway 10
Anoka MN  55303 

Retest Procedure

For High School Students
At ATC, students may retest only once within a two year period.  High school students wishing to retest are required to

  • Demonstrate readiness to retest by reviewing basic skills.  Find study materials.  Seek help from high school counselors, teachers, parents, the library, Internet, etc.  Carefully prepare for the retest.
  • When you think you are ready to retest contact the Testing Center to discuss your review progress.  Call (763) 576-4761.  Identify yourself as a high school student wishing to retake Accuplacer. 
  • Direction regarding retesting or further skills review will be provided.

For Students No Longer in High School
For all students no longer in high school, review with Metro North Adult Basic Education (ABE) is REQUIRED before retesting.  The ABE teacher will help you identify areas you need to study and provide you assistance in gaining necessary knowledge and skills. 

  • The no fee ABE program requires a minimum of twelve hours of review.  Additional review time is dependent on individual need and is determined by the ABE teacher. The ABE teacher will determine when you are ready to retest, and provide you an Authorization to Retest form.  You may not retest without it. 
  • Get started by attending ABE Orientation. 

Retest Fee
A ten dollar retest fee is required for all students no longer in high school; the fee is waived for all students currently attending high school.  The fee may be paid at the Records and Business office window immediately prior to retesting.

Retest Appointment
Retesting is routinely held on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. in the Testing Center, Academic Resource Center Room 185.  No appointment is necessary, however you must provide a signed Authorization to Retest form if you are no longer in high school.  The form is provided by Metro North Adult Basic Education only after completing the required review sessions.  High school students may schedule their retest session by contacting the Testing Center directly at (763) 576-4761.

Nursing Assistant Pretest

Students wishing to enroll in the Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide, Phlebotomy, or Sterile Processing courses must complete an ACCUPLACER Pretest.  This one hour, multiple choice test is given to assess basic reading comprehension and listening skills. 

  • Appointments are not necessary.
  • The test is routinely administered on Mondays at 1 or 2 p.m. and on Wednesdays at 9 or 10 a.m.
  • Report to Academic Resource Center Room 185 (enter from main corridor).
  • You will be asked to show a photo ID.

Exemptions
You may be exempt from the ACCUPLACER Pretest for Health Courses if you have

  1. previously achieved college level placement scores on the ACCUPLACER Computerized Placement Test for new students, OR if you can
  2. provide proof of 2.0 college GPA in equivalent course work. 

Contact the Testing Center at (763) 576-4761 for further information. 

Helpful Links 

Student Support Services Schedule

Campus and Community Resources