Guide to ACCUPLACER Placement Scores
April 2014
READING COMPREHENSION
70 – 120
Reading level sufficient for college-level credit courses
56 – 69
RDG 099 Reading & Study Skills Improvement
If both original test & re-test reading scores are between 65-69, the student may accept
placement into RDG099 or may request to take the Reading Appeal Test (DRP)
For course
descriptions, see
college catalog online.
41 – 55
RDG 096 Essentials of Reading
35 – 40
RDG 080 Basic Reading Skills
34 or below
May not enroll in credit courses at this time, but should discuss re-test options with Testing Center staff
SENTENCE SKILLS (ENGLISH)
76 – 120
ENG 101 Composition I, if Reading Comprehension level is also sufficient for college level credit courses
67 – 75
ENG 099* Introduction to College Writing or the Writing Sample Option (See Re-test Policy)
66 or below
ENG 099* Introduction to College Writing
May be eligible for ENG 097 Essentials of Writing and/or ENG 082 Basic English Skills;
Consult with an Academic Advisor before registering
*ENG 099 requires concurrent enrollment in RDG 099 or a Reading Comprehension score of 70 or above
MATHEMATICS
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA TEST
81 – 120
College-level math course(s): MTH 100, 115, 120, 132, 216, 220
61 – 80
MTH 093 (pairs with MTH 094)
45 – 60
MTH 091 (pairs with MTH 092) OR MTH 096A OR MTH 096S
33 – 44
MTH 091 (pairs with MTH 092) OR MTH 096A
32 or below
Take ARITHMETIC TEST for placement
All students should
meet with an
Academic Advisor
(after attending an
Educational Planning
Session) to select the correct
mathematics course(s) for
their intended major.
(815) 921-4100
ARITHMETIC TEST
27 – 120
MTH 088 (pairs with 089)
26 or below
May not enroll in a math course at this time, but should discuss re-test options with Testing Center Staff.
Developmental Math Courses
8 week modules
MTH 094
MTH 093
MTH 092
MTH 091
MTH 089
MTH 088
MTH 086
Intermediate Algebra II
Intermediate Algebra I
Beginning Algebra II
Beginning Algebra I
Pre-Algebra II
Pre-Algebra I
Basic Math
16 week courses
MTH 097▲
Elementary Plane Geometry
MTH 096S
Beginning & Intermediate Algebra
(MTH 091, 092, 093, 094 combined)
MTH 096A
Math Literacy for College Students
Successful completion of MTH 096A
will satisfy Geometry requirement.
▲MTH 097 (Elementary Plane
Geometry): There is no direct
placement into MTH 097.
Students who place into MTH
086, 088, 089, 091, 092 are
required to meet one of the
following options: 1) Submit a
Geometry Waiver Form with High
School transcript to the Records
Office, 2) Pass a Geometry
Competency Test in the Testing
Center or 3) Complete MTH 097
with grade of C or better.
COLLEGE-LEVEL MATH TEST & more placement information
COLLEGE-LEVEL MATH TEST
71 – 120
College-level math course(s): MTH 100, 115, 120, 125, 132, 135, 160, 211, 216, 220
56 – 70
College-level math course(s): MTH 100, 115, 120, 125, 132, 160, 211, 216, 220
31 – 55
College-level math course(s): MTH 100, 115, 120, 132, 216, 220
30 or below
MTH 093 (pairs with MTH 094)
For course
descriptions, see
college catalog online.
Re-Tests & More Placement Options
You should definitely plan to re-test if you have taken ACCUPLACER only one time and your placement in any subject is a
developmental course (course with a number below 100 such as MTH 091).
One re-test in each subject area is permitted BEFORE enrolling in courses. A $5.00 fee per subject is charged.
Before you re-test:
1) Review the Re-Test Policy which provides comprehensive information about re-testing, appeals, petitions, and developmental
courses. It is available in the Testing Center and at rockvalleycollege.edu/placementtest
2)
Review for your Re-Test because just a couple of hours over a couple of days can improve your scores.

ACCUPLACER Study Guide – Provides information about the ACCUPLACER tests, sample questions, suggested websites,
resources, and video links for review. It is available in the Testing Center and at rockvalleycollege.edu/placementtest

Official ACCUPLACER Study App – Highly recommended for $2.99 on iTunes or at accuplacer.collegeboard.org/students

MyMathTest - Online program designed to review & prepare students for ACCUPLACER Math Placement or the Geometry
Competency Exam. Available at rockvalleycollege.edu/math
Not satisfied with your MATH placement? Submit a Math Appeal. After taking ACCUPLACER and re-testing one time, you may
submit a Math Appeal to be placed one course level higher than what is mandated by your ACCUPLACER score. Math Appeals must be
submitted BEFORE you begin a RVC math class. Appeals require you to document successful completion (grade of C or better) of at
least one level of mathematics higher than the one in which you were placed by the placement test. The Mathematics Placement
Appeal Form must be submitted no later than one week before the start of the semester and is available in the Testing Center, Math
Office (JCSM1015) or at rockvalleycollege.edu/Courses/Subjects/Math/MathPlacement.cfm
Developmental Courses (under college-level)
If after re-testing your final placement is a developmental course (course with a number below 100 such as MTH 091), you are required
to take the course you placed into, as well as any subsequent courses in the developmental sequence until you reach the college level. A
grade of C or better is necessary to advance to the next course in the sequence. You may not re-test once you have started in a
developmental course.
By starting the developmental course, you are accepting your placement unless you drop the course on or before the “Last Day for
Tuition Refunds”. For information about Registration & Payment Dates, stop by the Records & Registration office, call (815) 921-4250 or
visit rockvalleycollege.edu/Admission/Registration/DatesToKnow.cfm
Note: Credits earned in developmental courses are not transferable, but do count toward full-time student status at RVC.
SUCCESS in Developmental Courses can earn you the opportunity to re-test ACCUPLACER for possible higher placement; see below.
Math Petition – Form & testing completed in Testing Center
Allows students to take re-test ACCUPLACER for re-evaluation of
their Math placement. Students have only one opportunity during the
developmental sequence to use the Math Petition and are advised to
use the opportunity wisely. Students eligible to attempt a Math
Petition are those who either earn an A or B in their most recent
developmental math course, or complete at least 80% of My
Foundations Lab coursework (See Testing Center for more
information).
Reading/English Petition – Form & testing completed in Testing Center
Allows students to re-test ACCUPLACER for re-evaluation of their
Reading and/or English placement(s). Students eligible to attempt a
Reading/English Petition are those who either earn an A in their most
recent Reading or English course, or are earning an A in their current
Reading or English course by the ‘Last Day to Withdraw from Classes”
and have their instructor’s recommendation.
Rock Valley College Testing Center (815) 921-2380 rvc-testing-center@rockvalleycollege.edu
04.01.14