The Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE)

Placement Testing

Placement Testing Information

Placement Testing is a necessary prerequisite for most first year students. These exams serve to ensure that our students are placed in the appropriate mathematics, English composition, and reading courses. All tests must be taken before attending a Peacock Prep Day. Since space is limited, students should sign up for placement testing, Peacock Prep, and Orientation once they receive a letter from us inviting them to do so.

Since the number of tests that a student will take is contingent upon their SAT or ACT scores, the time to complete will vary. Saint Peter’s makes use of the College Board’s ACCUPLACER exams.

(Register for Placement Testing)

Exempting Placement Tests

Students may be exempt from placement testing in reading comprehension and/or math contingent upon their SAT and/or ACT scores. Students who score 490 or higher on the SAT Verbal test will be exempt from the reading comprehension placement test. Students who score 570 or higher on the SAT Math test will be exempt from the math placement test. All students are required to take the writing placement test. Students are expected to bring a photo I.D. to their placement testing session and calculators will not be permitted.

Saint Peter’s Writing Placement Test

Placement in the appropriate level of English Composition is determined by the writing of an extensive essay based upon a prompt from ACCUPLACER. Students are expected to respond to the question provided with an essay that they carefully plan and proofread to demonstrate their level of proficiency in grammar and development of argument.

The level of skill demonstrated in this essay determines which class will provide the student with the best chance for academic success.

Saint Peter’s Mathematics Placement Test

There are 40 questions on the mathematics part of the placement test. The questions cover the following topics from Elementary and Intermediate Algebra.

  • Operations with Polynomials: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division
  • Substitution in Algebraic Expressions and Equations
  • Translation from Verbal to Algebraic Expressions
  • Exponents and Roots
  • Solving Linear Equations
  • Factoring
  • Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring
  • Algebraic Fractions
  • Linear Inequalities and Order
  • Graphs of Linear Equations
  • Systems of Linear Equations

Note: Sample questions have been provided in the document below:
Mathematics Placement Test Information and Sample Questions

Saint Peter’s Reading Placement Test

There are 20 questions on the reading part of the placement test. Practice questions and more information for the reading part of the placement test can by found using the following instructions:

Any questions or for more information regarding placement testing, please contact us via e-mail at placementtesting@saintpeters.edu or via phone at (201) 761-6038.