In honor of Veterans Day, Saint Paul College will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2024. The College will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, November 12, at 6:30 a.m.

Assessment Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve collected a few commonly asked questions with supportive answers to better help guide you with assessment.

English is my first language – what assessments do I need to take?

We may be able to waive the placement test and provide the necessary placements from the list below. If these apply to you, please fill out the Assessment Waiver form.

  • Unofficial transcripts from a college or university with a grade of C or higher
  • ACT/SAT/MCA scores within the last 5 years
  • ACCUPLACER scores (Math within the last 2 years and Reading/Writing within the last 5 years)
  • AP classes in which the college-level assessment was passed with a 3 or higher
  • IB classes in which the college-level assessment was passed with a 4 or higher
  • Obtain unofficial transcript(s) College in The School classes
  • High School transcripts with a GPA of 2.8 or higher within the last 10 years

Reading
Saint Paul College uses a Guided Self-Placement Assessment, where the student determines their placement level. To complete this guided self-placement assessment contact admissions@saintpaul.edu. The College does not administer the Accuplacer for English/Reading course placement.

Math
The College uses the Math ACCUPLACER to determine math placement. There are several different mathematics assessments. Arithmetic will measure your ability to perform basic arithmetic problems, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and percent’s. You’ll also solve problems that involve fundamental arithmetic concepts, including rate, measurement, and simple geometry. Elementary Algebra includes questions on operations with integers and rational numbers, operations with algebraic expressions, and solution of equations, inequalities, and word problems. College Level Mathematics is only given to those scoring high on the Elementary Algebra assessment and assesses skills in intermediate algebra through pre-calculus.

Other Assessments
You may take additional assessments if your chosen program requires them. A test of spatial skills is given for many of the Trade programs, and a keyboarding assessment is given for many of the Business programs. Ask at the One Stop to find out what additional assessments may be needed.

English is not my first language – what assessments do I need to take?

If English is not your first language, Saint Paul College uses a Guided Self-Placement Assessment, where the student determines their placement level. To complete this guided self-placement assessment contact admissions@saintpaul.edu. The College does not administer the Accuplacer for EAPP course placement.

What will it be like taking the ACCUPLACER online?

Saint Paul College is only administering the Math ACCUPLACER at the moment.

You’ll be taking the ACCUPLACER online assessment on a computer in the College’s Testing Center. You will use either the keyboard or the mouse to enter your answers and input your answers into the computer. You will first be asked to answer basic questions about yourself (including name, address, and program choice) before starting the assessment.

When you start the assessment, you will be given clear instructions on the computer, practice questions to work through, and when you start the actual assessment, you will be presented with one question at a time. The assessments are multiple choice and each assessment has no more than 20 questions. These assessments are un-timed so you can give each question as much thought as you wish.

There will be a Computer Lab Assistant to help you get started on the assessments and answer questions that you may have about using the computer.

What if I want to practice or brush up before I take these assessments?

There are a number of good Web sites that you can access to practice or brush up for these assessments before you take them.

On the Internet, go to Google.com. Once you are in Google, type “ACCUPLACER practice” in the search box. This will give you a list of sites that may help you in brushing up for these assessments. Several very good sites from this search include:

To review for the spatial assessment, the Saint Paul College Library has a resource book titled, Mechanical Aptitude and Spatial Relations by Levy and Levy (153.9). A helpful chapter to review is “Matching Patterns and Figures.”

What are some hints for taking the assessment?

Relax! Do the best job you can. These assessment results will help you in your college success!

  • Pay close attention to the test directions. Be sure that you understand the instructions before you start!
  • All materials needed for these assessments will be provided to you at the time of testing. Calculator, dictionaries or other materials are not allowed. You will be given scratch paper to use during your testing, and this will be collected when you are finished.
  • If you don’t know the answer to a question, try to eliminate one or more of the choices and then answer the question.
  • Once you have selected an answer and go on to the next question, you will not be able to go back to any previous questions.
  • However, remember, these assessments are not timed, so you can give each question as much thought as you wish before going on to the next question.

Can I retest?

If you are not satisfied with the results of your assessment, you may retest one time annually but before you start any related coursework at the college. Contact our One Stop at admissions@saintpaul.edu to be set up for a retest.