Placement Assessment

Allegany College of Maryland tests new students with the ACCUPLACER assessment.  The assessment is given at all three campus locations.  The results of the assessment help the advisor select courses, which are appropriate in Reading, English and Math.  Accuplacer assesses sentence skills, reading comprehension, elementary algebra, and arithmetic or college level mathematics skills in order to place you in the appropriate college courses. The assessment has three sections presented in the following order: English, Reading, and Mathematics.

Students must bring photo identification to the testing center to take a test.

                        Frequently Asked Questions about the Placement Assessment

(1) Do I need to take the placement assessment before registering for classes?

(2) What is ACCUPLACER?  

Accuplacer, a comprehensive, computerized, adaptive assessment system from College Board, places students in appropriate courses. Students are assessed to determine their areas of strength and areas needing improvement in any of the basic skills areas. These areas include tests for proficiency in English, reading, and mathematics. Assessment results suggest appropriate placement in developmental courses: English 90 or 93; Reading 90 or 93; math 83, 90, 91, 93, or 96. Any combination of these courses is possible depending on the strengths or improvement needs of the individual student.

Accuplacer is different from other tests because it is adaptive, which means that if you answer easy questions correctly, it will give you harder ones. The answers you give determine the number of questions. Since there is no time limit, you can complete the test at your own pace, and your test will be different from your classmates. The length of time that it will take to complete the entire exam will vary, but for most people, it will take about 1.5 to two hours.  For more information about the Accuplacer Exam and the types of questions you will be required to answer, please check out the Accuplacer Testing Booklet (pdf)

(3) When can I get the results?

• Placement results for the computerized assessment (ACCUPLACER) are available immediately.
• Results for the paper/pencil assessment (COMPANION) are available within 5 working days from the assessment.

(4) When and where can I take the placement assessment?

• Placement Assessments can be taken in the Testing Centers from 9 am and 12 Noon on most days that the college is open. Call the nearest campus to schedule an appointment.
• Contact a Pennsylvania Campus for their testing times.

At the Cumberland campus, contact:  301-784-5551; 

            At  the Somerset County Campus, contact: 814-445-9848, ext. 6135; or

            At the Bedford County Campus, contact: 814-652-9528, ext. 6224

NOTE: Students who require special assistance are requested to notify testing lab personnel before arriving for the session.

Accuplacer Assessment

Off Campus

 Contact your high school guidance counselor or testing coordinator at your local college who will be proctoring the assessment. If they agree to proctor your assessment schedule a date and time and have them contact:

Charles Jackson
Testing Lab Assistant
Student Success Center
Allegany College of Maryland
301-784-5554
testing@allegany.edu

With the following information:

• Proctor's name, title, and contact information.

• School's name and address.

• Student's legal name, address, gender, date of birth, and date test will be administered.

Please contact Mr. Jackson with at least a three day notice to allow time for setting up system.

If you would like to test at Prince George's Community College, please contact Mr. Jackson at testing@allegany.edu with the following information:  legal name, address, gender, date of birth, and the date you would like to take the exam.  Please remember that Mr. Jackson will need at least a three day notice to make the arrangements.

Proctors, click here to complete the Remote Proctoring Form.