CPT Frequently Asked Questions

What is the placement test?
The College Placement Test (CPT) is used to determine your readiness for college level courses. The CPT is not meant for testing out of remedial courses. If you have been placed in a remedial course, you will be ineligible for retesting once you begin attending classes.
The test is computerized and special testing accommodations are provided upon request.

How many tests are there?
There are essentially three tests:

• English
• Reading
• Elementary Algebra

*Note- If you score below the required Elementary Algebra score, you will have to take the Arithmetic portion of the test.

What do I need to score on the tests?
To be placed into college level courses, you need the following scores.

• English: 77 or higher
• Reading: 75 or higher
• Elementary Algebra:  75 or higher for Math for General Education OR  98 or higher for College Algebra.

What do I do if I didn't get the score that I wanted? 

You have three options:

• Complete the required study hours.
• Wait 4 weeks and come back to take the test.
• Take the zero level course you are placed into.

What type of software do you have to help me improve my score?

• The FYE Office uses the ComFit program to help students by assessing their skills and creating a guided learning program which focuses on their specific weaknesses. This program is  free to students for up to two weeks.
• We also have A+dvancer Learning software which you can purchase from the Bursar's office for $38.00.  You will get the same type of guided study for 90 days.

Can I take the test as often as I want?
No. You can only take the College Placement Test three times. 

What should I know before taking the English test?

• Sentence structure
• Past, present, and future tenses
• Sentence rephrasing
• Subject-verb agreement
• Restructuring sentences using commas and semicolons 
• Misplaced phrases and clauses
• Mixed grammar

What should I know before taking the Reading test?

• Sentence expansion
• Implied meaning of passages
• Understanding main points of passages
• Compare and contrast
• Vocabulary
• Point of view

What should I know before taking the Elementary Algebra test?

• Substitution
• Order of operations
• Quadratic equations (FOIL)
• Changing mixed numbers to improper fractions
• Word problems
• Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions by the least common denominator
• Inequalities
• Understanding geometric formulas
• Absolute value equations