ACCUPLACER Writing Placement Test Overview

Summary

The Next-Generation ACCUPLACER Writing Placement Test is a crucial exam designed to evaluate your writing skills required for college-level courses at Lakeland Community College. The exam includes both fictional and informational texts, and focuses more on the development and organization of ideas rather than just basic grammar skills. Though grammar plays a role, key evaluations are made based on the ability to enhance written pieces effectively. The test is adaptive, untimed, and consists of 25 questions aimed at determining overall writing aptitude. To succeed, preparation through a variety of free resources and test-taking tips is essential.

Highlights

• Focus on the overall development of writing rather than only grammar 🌟.
• Read entire passages before answering to ensure full comprehension 📖.
• The test includes a mix of fictional and informational texts to evaluate writing skills.
• Being adaptive, questions adjust in difficulty based on previous answers.
• It's crucial to practice with resources like SAT prep to familiarize with test format.

Key Takeaways

• The test focuses on improving writing clarity and organization, not just grammar 📝.
• Be prepared to encounter both fictional and informational texts 📚.
• The exam is adaptive and untimed, so take your time for best results ⏰.
• You'll receive your score immediately, which determines readiness for college-level courses 🎓.
• Utilize free resources from CollegeBoard and Khan Academy for preparation 🌐.

Overview

The ACCUPLACER Writing Placement Test, offered by Lakeland Community College, is an essential step for students aiming to qualify for college-level writing courses. Covering fictional and informational texts, the test measures your ability to refine and organize ideas effectively. It’s not just about grammar; it’s about honing the clarity and cohesiveness of your writing, acting akin to an editor tasked with refining a piece for better comprehension.

Preparation is key, and the test is unique in being untimed, allowing examinees to really focus on understanding and answering questions thoroughly. With a mix of 25 questions, the test adapts to performance, getting more challenging with correct answers, which requires test-takers to demonstrate consistently strong writing capabilities. Scoring at least 263 enables students to embark on college-level courses, with immediate results provided after the test, which could be thrilling or nerve-racking!

Many free resources, such as those from CollegeBoard and Khan Academy, offer excellent preparatory material analogous to SAT practice tests. These resources are invaluable for honing the skills needed for the ACCUPLACER. Additionally, Lakeland’s Learning Center provides in-person preparation sessions, ensuring that students have ample opportunity to practice and perfect their writing strategies.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction and Test Content Overview The chapter titled 'Introduction and Test Content Overview' is guided by Maya, who introduces the Next-Generation ACCUPLACER Writing Placement Test. She outlines what to expect on the test, including the types of content featured, the grading criteria, and offers test-taking strategies. Maya emphasizes the importance of understanding the literary genres and subject areas presented, as well as the structure of the test, including the number of questions. Additionally, she highlights some free resources available for self-study, underlining their value in preparation for achieving the college-level course placement scores required.
• 00:30 - 01:30: Types of Texts and Test Preparation The chapter discusses the types of texts that appear on the Next-Generation ACCUPLACER Writing Test and how writing skills are evaluated. It explains that the test includes both fictional and informational texts, with passages based on fictional short stories or novels as well as informative, explanatory, and persuasive nonfiction essays. Informational text passages may cover any subject area.
• 01:30 - 02:30: Test Grading and Approach The chapter 'Test Grading and Approach' discusses strategies for preparing for a test by engaging with material from subjects like history, psychology, sociology, philosophy, literature, biology, chemistry, and astronomy. It suggests using textbooks, newspapers, or magazine articles as resources. Additionally, the chapter touches upon the nature of the test, emphasizing that it is not simply a basic grammar test.
• 02:30 - 03:30: Grammar and Punctuation Skills The chapter 'Grammar and Punctuation Skills' emphasizes the importance of mastering English grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. However, the primary focus is on enhancing writing as if one were an editor. It encourages readers to improve clarity, organization, and the smooth flow of ideas in any piece of writing. Readers are prompted to think critically about how to make written content better, clearer, and more comprehensible for the audience.
• 03:30 - 05:00: Test Format and Time Management This chapter titled 'Test Format and Time Management' focuses on the effective use of words to convey ideas clearly during a test. It highlights the importance of identifying and correcting grammar issues such as sentence fragments and run-on sentences. Furthermore, it emphasizes the correct use of punctuation marks like periods, commas, colons, and semicolons. The chapter also stresses the need for consistency in verb tense usage within sentences. It suggests asking these self-check questions to enhance grammar and writing skills.
• 05:00 - 06:30: Test-Taking Strategies The chapter "Test-Taking Strategies" discusses approaches to effectively handle a specific test format. The test comprises 25 questions, with 5 questions based on a fictional passage and the remaining questions drawn from informational or nonfiction passages. The emphasis is placed on understanding the type of text being read and the importance of preparing by engaging with informational passages on real-world topics. This preparation is crucial to succeeding in the test.
• 06:30 - 07:30: Scores and College-Level Class Placement The chapter titled 'Scores and College-Level Class Placement' emphasizes that the test is primarily focused on evaluating the development and organization of ideas in writing rather than grammar. It cautions students not to stress over grammar questions, which constitute a minor part of the test. Also, the chapter offers assurance that there's no time limit for the test, encouraging test-takers to focus more on effectively organizing their responses.
• 07:30 - 09:00: Preparation Resources and Conclusion This chapter discusses the adaptability of a multiple-choice test, emphasizing the importance of taking one's time due to the adaptive nature of the questions which become more or less challenging based on the test-taker's answers. It encourages using the advantage of having unlimited time for careful consideration and best performance.

ACCUPLACER Writing Placement Test Overview Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 Hi! I'm Maya and I'm here to guide you through the Next-Generation ACCUPLACER Writing Placement Test. We’re going to go over the content you’ll see the on the test; how the test is graded; effective test-taking tips and scores needed for college-level course placement. also be discussing some free options that are available for self-study. For the purpose of studying for the test, it’s important to talk about the literary genres and subject area material you’ll see on the test. You’ll also need to know how many questions are on the test
• 00:30 - 01:00 and how your writing skills are being evaluated. Let’s get started. There are both fictional and informational texts on the Next-Generation ACCUPLACER Writing Test. This means that you’ll be reading short passages based on fictional short stories or novels and even passages from informative, explanatory, and persuasive nonfiction essays. The informational text passages you’ll see on the test can come from any subject area, including the following:
• 01:00 - 01:30 history, psychology, sociology, philosophy, literature, biology, chemistry, and astronomy.​ This means that one of the best ways to prepare for the test is to spend time reading and learning about topics and ideas from these subjects. A great place to start would be a textbook, or newspaper or magazine articles. Now we’re going to talk more about the test is graded. This test is not a basic grammar test.
• 01:30 - 02:00 While it’s important to know the rules of English grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure, you’re really being judged on your ability to improve a piece of writing. ​ Think of yourself as an editor. While reading the passages and questions on the test, consider these following questions: How can I make this piece of writing better? How can I make the ideas come across clearly so that my reader understands? How can I organize the ideas and information so that the ideas flow smoothly?
• 02:00 - 02:30 Which words should I use to convey my ideas effectively? For grammar and punctuation questions, consider the following: Can I identify and fix sentence fragments in writing? Can I identify and fix run-on sentences? Do I know how to use periods, commas, colons and semicolons correctly? Can I be consistent with using verb tenses in a sentence? Asking yourself these questions
• 02:30 - 03:00 will make sure you’re approaching the test the right way. ​ There are a total of 25 questions on the test. 5 questions will be based on a fictional passage you will read. The rest of the questions will be from informational, also known as nonfiction, passages that you’ll be asked to read. ​That’s why it’s really important to pay attention to the type of text that you’re reading and to prepare for the test by reading informational passages about real-world topics.
• 03:00 - 03:30 Most of the questions on the test are related to the overall development and organization of ideas expressed in writing. ​Again, this is not a simple grammar test. There are only an average of 10 grammar and punctuation questions on the test. Always keep this in mind as you’re taking the test. Don’t stress out over the grammar questions. Now let’s move on to talking about some highly effective test taking tips. There is no time limit for the test.
• 03:30 - 04:00 Use this to your advantage. It’s not often that you’ll have unlimited time to take a test. ​So, take your time to make sure you do your best! This is an adaptive, multiple-choice test. ​This means that the test questions become more challenging as you get more answers correct. This also means that the test questions may become less challenging as you answer more questions incorrectly. But don’t let this scare you too much. If you're effectively working through the test,
• 04:00 - 04:30 it will provide you with an accurate score of your writing skills. Because the test is adaptive, your answers cannot be changed once they are submitted. This is why it’s so important to take your time and keep your focus as you work through the test! ​ On test day, make sure that you’re prepared. It’s probably not such a great idea to take the test on a really busy day when your schedule is packed. It’s ideal to spend at least 45 minutes to an hour taking the test,
• 04:30 - 05:00 so make sure you account for this in your schedule! ​ Also, be mindful that there will be other students in the testing center who are taking exams. This is important to remember if you know that you get distracted easily. The most important thing to remember about this test is that you should read the entire passage before you begin answering questions. Remember, this is not a simple grammar test. Many of the test questions require that you’ve read
• 05:00 - 05:30 and understood the entire passage to successfully answer the questions. This is why it’s best to spend more time reading; you will spend less time answering the questions if you have an understanding of the passage first. ​ When you reach a more difficult question, it’s best to eliminate wrong answer choices first and to think about why these answer choices are incorrect. When you decide on a correct answer, it’s equally important to explain why this answer is correct.
• 05:30 - 06:00 There is no need to guess on this test, so you should be referring to the text to explain why you’re choosing your answers. ​ Now, let’s talk about the scores you’ll need on the ACCUPLACER Writing test to begin taking college-level classes. First, let’s quickly talk about using the ACT or SAT tests to enroll in college-level classes.​ If you have already taken the ACT or SAT test or you plan to take the test in the near future,
• 06:00 - 06:30 you may be able to use these test scores to enroll in college-level classes here at Lakeland. ​On the ACT Writing Test, you'll need a score of 18 or higher. On the SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing Test, you'll need a score of 480 or higher. ​ ​Now, let’s get back to the ACCUPLACER Writing Test and the scores you’ll need for college classes at Lakeland. For the Writing test, you will need a score of 263 or higher.
• 06:30 - 07:00 You’ll receive your scores immediately after taking the test, so you’ll know right away if you can begin taking college-level classes. Luckily, there are many ways you can successfully prepare for the ACCUPLACER Writing Test. Most importantly, it’s totally free. The ACCUPLACER Test was created by CollegeBoard, the same creators of the PSAT and SAT tests. They also created the popular Advanced Placement courses, also known as AP. ​The ACCUPLACER Writing Test is very similar
• 07:00 - 07:30 to the SAT Writing & Language Test. This is why one of the best ways to prepare for the ACCUPLACER Writing Test is to complete practice SAT Writing & Language Tests. ​ The CollegeBoard Website provides free sample practice questions for the ACCUPLACER Writing Test. They also have a web app available, so you can even take a practice test online. ​ For more practice, you could purchase a copy of the Official SAT Study Guide.
• 07:30 - 08:00 Make sure to only use editions for the 2016 version and beyond. ​You may purchase this book online the CollegeBoard website, or a local bookseller, such as Barnes and Noble or Half Price Books. ​ You may also prepare for the ACCUPLACER Writing Test online through the Khan Academy website. Khan Academy provides free SAT practice, with individualized study plans for improvement. ​Through their website, you can complete a full SAT test
• 08:00 - 08:30 or shorter quizzes to begin receiving personalized study tips for improving your score. You can also print copies of SAT Practice Tests directly from the Khan Academy Website. You can visit Lakeland Community College's placement test preparation page to access both the CollegeBoard and Khan Academy websites for free SAT practice. I hope that you found this ACCUPLACER Writing Test prep overview helpful. Make sure to check out our free resources for preparation.
• 08:30 - 09:00 Also, you can call or stop in to the Learning Center to sign up for in-person placement test preparation sessions for the ACCUPLACER Writing Test. Good luck!