Academics


Placement Testing preparations

 

Math Test

The ACCUPLACERŽ math test for Towson University is Elementary and Intermediate Algebra.  Students who are required to complete math placement testing should review and refresh their algebra skills before coming to placement testing. You can use a high school textbook and select resources on the internet. We highly recommend this book for refreshing: Forgotten Algebra, Barbara Lee Bleu, Barron Publisher, 3rd Edition.  Please do not bring a calculator!  If calculator use is appropriate, a calculator icon will appear on the screen for you to use.  

All test batteries are given at every test session.  The writing test battery has a maximum time of 60 minutes; the math and reading test batteries are untimed.  However, most students complete the math or reading batter within 45 minutes. 

Elementary/Intermediate Algebra

Please Google the following topics:

  • Elementary and Intermediate Algebra review material

  • Elementary and Intermediate Algebra tutorials

  • Elementary and Intermediate Algebra  practice tests

Elementary Algebra Test

This test measures your ability to perform basic algebraic operations and to solve problems that involve elementary algebraic concepts. The mathematics placement test is adaptive---this means that the test may also include intermediate algebraic concepts depending upon your performance of elementary algebra.

Before you begin there will be a sample question with the correct answer indicated.

Sample Question
Solve the following problem. You may use the paper you have been given for scratch-work.

2x + 3x + y =

  • 6xy
  • 5x + y
  • 5 (x + y)
  • 6x + y

The correct answer is "5x + y."

Reading Comprehension Test

This test measures your ability to understand what you read.

Before you begin there will be two sample questions with the correct answer indicated.

Some questions will ask you to read the statement or passage and then choose the best answer to the question. Answer the question on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.

Sample Question 1
There are two types of pottery that I do. There is production pottery---mugs, tableware---the kinds of things that sell easily. These pay for my time to do other work, which is more creative and satisfies my needs as an artist.

The author of the passage implies that…

  • artists have a tendency to waste valuable time
  • creativity and mass-production are incompatible
  • most people do not appreciate good art
  • pottery is not produced by creative artist

The correct answer is "creativity and mass-production are incompatible."

In other questions, two underlined sentences are followed by a question or statement. Read the sentences, then choose the best answer to the question or the best completion of the statement.

Sample Question 2
The Midwest is experiencing its worst drought in 15 years.
Corn and soybean prices are expected to be high this year.

What does the second sentence do?

  • It restates the idea found in the first.
  • It states an effect.
  • It gives an example.
  • It analyzes the statement made in the first.

The correct answer is "It states an effect."

Academic Achievement Center - Cook Library, Room 524
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Phone: 410-704-2291
Fax:     410-704-3216
E-mail: placementtesting@towson.edu




 

 

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