The Testing Center in Room 2-141 has facilities to handle the administration and proctoring of such tests as ACCUPLACER, TEAS, HESI, Technical Skill Assessments, Private Testing, Standardized tests, and other web-based tests. Occasionally and, if appropriate, the Center may be used by faculty to proctor tests for individual students. There are also Private Testing rooms for those students having disabilities that warrant Private Testing accommodations (see information on Disability & Access Services).
DCTC Faculty can download the Testing Center Proctoring Policy.
ACCUPLACER walk-ins are from 8 a.m. until noon Monday through Friday.
NOTE: Limited seats are available. Please email testing@dctc.edu with any questions. All students are required to have a photo ID with them in order to test.
Dakota County Technical College is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system (Minnesota State) and, as such, we are required to assess new, incoming students' academic readiness. The test approved by Minnesota State to do this assessment is The College Board’s ACCUPLACER. ACCUPLACER scores are an important tool used by advisors to place students in courses that match their skill level and give them the best opportunities for success. The test is used within DCTC’s admissions and enrollment process. DCTC uses the Reading Comprehension, Arithmetic, Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics, and Advanced Algebra and Functions portions of the ACCUPLACER. What portions a student needs to take is based on what DCTC program/major they are pursuing.
DCTC may consider waiving all or parts of the ACCUPLACER. See below for minimum requirements to place into English and Math courses.
Meeting any of these requirements allows you to take these English and Reading courses:
| Test | Score Range | High School GPA (valid within 10 years of graduation) |
|---|---|---|
| Next Generation ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension (valid within 5 years) | 250+ | |
| ACT Reading (valid within 5 years) | 21+ | |
| SAT EWR – Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (valid within 5 years) | 480+ | |
| MCA Reading (valid within 5 years) | 1047+ OR 1042-1046 |
AND 2.5 or higher |
| High School GPA (valid within 10 years) | 2.6 or higher |
Meeting any of these requirements allows you to take these English and Reading courses:
| Test | Score Range | High School GPA (valid within 10 years of graduation) |
|---|---|---|
| Next Generation ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension (valid within 5 years) | 240+ | |
| High School GPA (valid within 10 years) | 2.6 or higher |
These ACCUPLACER scores allow you to take the paired English and Reading courses indicated:
| Next Generation ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension Score (Valid within 5 years) |
Reading Courses AND | English Course |
|---|---|---|
| 230-249 | READ 0150 English Reading Essentials AND |
ENGL 0150 - English Writing Essentials |
| 230-239 | READ 0110 - College Reading AND | ENGL 1200 Technical Writing (Transportation Majors Only) |
| 200-229 | READ 0110 - College Reading Boost AND READ 0150 - English Reading Essentials AND |
ENGL 0150 - English Writing Essentials |
| 200-209 | If you score below 210, talk to your advisor about taking English as a Second Language (ESOL) or Adult Basic Education (ABE). | |
| Next Generation ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension Score (Valid within 5 years) |
Reading Courses AND | English Course |
|---|---|---|
| 230-249 | READ 0150 English Reading Essentials AND |
ENGL 0150 - English Writing Essentials prior to ENGL 1150 |
Meeting any of these requirements, set by Minnesota State, allows you to take these math courses:
Check your program requirements or meet with your advisor to determine the appropriate course for you.
| Test | Score Range | High School GPA (valid within 10 years of graduation) |
|---|---|---|
| Next Generation ACCUPLACER AFF- Advanced Algebra and Functions (valid within 2 years) | 250+ OR 236-249 |
AND 2.7 or higher |
| ACT (valid within 5 years) | 22+ OR 20-21 |
AND 2.7 or higher |
| SAT (valid within 5 years) | 530+ OR 520-529 |
AND 2.7 or higher |
| MCA (valid within 5 years) | 1158+ OR 1152-1157 |
AND 2.7 or higher |
| High School GPA (valid within 10 years) | 2.8 or higher AND High School Algebra 2 with C- or better |
|
| Successful completion of MATS 0800 – Intermediate Algebra |
Meeting any of these requirements allows you to take these math courses:
Check your program requirements or meet with your advisor to determine the appropriate course for you.
| Test | Score Range | High School GPA (valid within 10 years of graduation) |
|---|---|---|
| Next Generation ACCUPLACER QAS-Quantitative Reasoning (valid within 2 years) | 250+ OR 236-249 |
AND 2.4 or higher |
| ACT (valid within 5 years) | 20+ OR 17-19 |
AND 2.4 or higher |
| SAT (valid within 5 years) | 520+ OR 470-519 |
AND 2.4 or higher |
| MCA (valid within 5 years) | 1152+ OR 1145-1151 |
AND 2.4 or higher |
| High School GPA (valid within 10 years) | 2.7 or higher AND High School Algebra 2 with C- or better |
|
| Successful completion of MATS 0700 – Algebra Emporium |
Meeting any of these requirements allows you to take these math courses:
Check your program requirements or meet with your advisor to determine the appropriate course for you.
| Test | Score Range | High School GPA (valid within 10 years of graduation) |
|---|---|---|
| Next Generation ACCUPLACER on Arithmetic (valid within 2 years) | 250+ OR 220-249 |
AND 2.0 or higher |
| ACT (valid within 5 years) | 17+ OR 14-16 |
AND 2.0 or higher |
| SAT (valid within 5 years) | 470+ OR 380-469 |
AND 2.0 or higher |
| MCA (valid within 5 years) | 1145+ OR 1127-1144 |
AND 2.0 or higher |
| High School GPA (valid within 10 years) | 2.4 or higher | |
| Successful completion of MATS 0075 – Number Sense |
There are no minimum requirements to be placed into:
Check your program requirements or meet with your advisor to determine the appropriate course for you.
Whether taking the ACCUPLACER the first time or retaking it, students are STRONGLY encouraged to prepare for the test as much as possible. Refer to the various preparation resources listed below to assist in the quest for better test scores. A prepared student can see a significant increase in their test scores and may help avoid having to take extra developmental courses thus saving time and money.
A number of college prep and ACCUPLACER prep resources are available through the online LearningExpress Library. The “Centers” on this website offer a number of resources for students but, in terms of ACCUPLACER preparation, the most helpful will be found in the “College Center” where there are a number of practice tests for each of the ACCUPLACER test areas. Here are the steps to access these resources:
This FREE web-based study app includes interactive practice tests in Reading Comprehension, Arithmetic, Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics and Advanced Algebra and Functions. It is accessible from any computer, tablet or smartphone, The app will help students become familiar with the content and format of the ACCUPLACER Test questions AND will include “Learn as you go” tests that provides explanation of the correct or incorrect responses.
To access the app and create an account go to accuplacerpractice.collegeboard.org
These free PDF documents gives you examples of the types of questions you will see when you take the ACCUPLACER test. It is useful for some fast and simple preparation prior to taking the test.
Download the Sample Questions for Advanced Algebra and Functions
Download the Sample Questions for Arithmetic
Download the Sample Questions for Quantitative Reasoning
Download the Sample Questions for Reading
The retest policy allows students to retake all or parts of the test at a time of their choosing and, preferably, with adequate preparation. However, a student can only retest only once during a 6-month period and must wait a minimum or 24 hours after the initial test date. Students retesting at DCTC must pay a $5 retest fee at the Tuition Office before taking the test. Students are encouraged to check out if they are eligible for a test exemption based on ACT, SAT, or MCA scores, prior degree(s) or prior college coursework.
ACCUPLACER Test Exemption Form
Students will receive their Individual Score Report immediately upon completion of their ACCUPLACER test. In most cases, students will speak with an advisor right away to have their scores interpreted. How a student does on the ACCUPLACER generally does not affect admissions to the college and to its programs. ACCUPLACER results help determine appropriate course placement in reading, writing and math courses.
Get the course placement grid for English, Reading, and Math
The Testing Center requires that you provide an acceptable form of photo identification to access your previous test scores and to take the ACCUPLACER test (no exceptions).
View forms of acceptable identification
The ATI TEAS (Test for Essential Academic Skills) is a required test for students submitting application to DCTC's Practical Nursing Diploma degree. The ATI TEAS exam measures basic essential skills in the academic content areas of READING, MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, and ENGLISH/LANGUAGE USAGE. These entry level skills were deemed important for health science program applicants by a panel of subject matter experts. The TEAS is required of all DCTC Practical Nursing applicants and a score of 60% or higher is needed for acceptance into the program. TEAS exam scores are valid for two years from the date of the exam.
The DCTC Library has study guide e-books and books for the ATI TEAS exam. Access is controlled off-campus by StarID login or stop by the DCTC library to rent study guide books.
Free practice exams are available on the LearningExpress Library. Students will be required to create a username and password in order to utilize the site. Once logged in, search for TEAS in the search bar tab and several practice tests are available.
To sign up for the TEAS Prep class please contact our Testing Center at testing@dctc.edu or 651-423-8657.
Students can request having a longer period of time to complete the TEAS if they have a documented disability that warrants such an accommodation. Students should contact accessibility@dctc.edu to have their accommodation approved and documented. If approved, the nursing director, will set the accommodation at time and a half (1.5) OR double time (2.0). Students must request these accommodations at least one week in advance.
The ATI TEAS is primarily administered as an online test. However, a paper/pencil version of the test is available to students who have a documented disability and have had this accommodation approved. Students should contact accessibility@dctc.edu to have their accommodation approved and documented. If approved, the nursing director will order and have shipped the paper/pencil version. Students must request these accommodations at least one week in advance.
| Test Day & Date | Test Start Time |
|---|---|
| Friday, February 17, 2023 | 8 a.m. |
| Friday, March 10, 2023 | 8 a.m. |
| Friday, April 7, 2023 | 8 a.m. |
| Friday, April 21, 2023 | 8 a.m. |
| Friday, May 5, 2023 | 8 a.m. |
| Friday, May 19, 2023 | 8 a.m. |
Click on the button above to register for one of the sessions listed if you are a DCTC Practical Nursing applicant. Follow the prompts on the screens and be prepared to set up an ATI account (if you have not done so already) and to pay the non-refundable test fee.
Students can certainly take the TEAS at another test site more convenient for them. Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to register for the TEAS Exam.
Any questions on the TEAS exam process or to sign up for the TEAS Prep class can be directed our Testing Center at testing@dctc.edu or 651-423-8657.
The HESI test is a requirement for all students in the Veterinary Technician program. Students in this program must complete their first semester of classes with a C- or better and have received a cumulative score of 60% or higher in the HESI exam before they can start their second semester of classes.
The use of cellphones during this exam is strictly prohibited.
The HESI exam will consists of the following subject areas:
Reading Comprehension: Provides reading scenarios in order to measure reading comprehension, identifying the main idea, finding meaning of words in context, passage comprehension, making logical inferences, etc.
Grammar: Contains basic grammar, including parts of speech, important terms and their uses, commonly occurring grammatical errors, etc.
Math: Focus of math skills needed for health care fields, including basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, fractions, decimals, ration and proportion, household measures, general math facts, etc.
Anatomy and Physiology: Provides coverage of general terminology and anatomical structures and systems.
Student must receive an overall score of 60% or above.
| Test Day & Date | Test Start Time |
|---|---|
| Friday, February 24, 2023 | 8 a.m. |
| Friday, March 17, 2023 | 8 a.m. |
| Friday, March 31, 2023 | 8 a.m. |
| Friday, April 14, 2023 | 8 a.m. |
| Friday, April 28, 2023 | 8 a.m. |
| Friday, May 12, 2023 | 8 a.m. |
| Friday, May 26, 2023 | 8 a.m. |
Students must contact our Testing Center at testing@dctc.edu or 651-423-8657 to receive instructions on scheduling the exam.
Important notes for testing:
HESI: $45.00
https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/product/9780323582261?role=student
ISBN: 978-0323582261
Free practice exams are available on the LearningExpress Library. Students will be required to create a username and password in order to utilize the site. Once logged in, search for HESI in the search bar tab and several practice tests are available.
Students can request having a longer period of time to complete the HESI exam if they have a documented disability that warrants such an accommodation. Students should contact accessibility@dctc.edu to have their accommodation approved and documented. If approved, the Vet Tech program director will set the accommodation at the time and a half (1.5) OR double time (2.0). Students must request these accommodations two weeks in advance.
For questions on the HESI exam process or to sign up for the HESI Prep Class please contact our Testing Center at testing@dctc.edu to confirm your interest. The class will be limited to the first 24 students that respond.
The College Level Examination Program® (CLEP) offers students the opportunity to receive college credit for what you already know. The 90 minute exams, which cost $90 each, are administered at 1,700 test centers, and 2,900 colleges and universities.
Administration Fee: $20 (paid to the test center)
CLEP Exam Fee: $90
Dakota County Technical College does not proctor CLEP Exams. The closest testing center is Inver Hills Community College. Please contact Inver Hills Community College by emailing Inver Hills Testing Center at testingcenter@inverhills.edu or call 651-450-3650 to reserve a date and time.
View the CLEP Exam Equivalencies Chart
Accessibility Services Testing Form
The Testing Center requires that you provide an acceptable form of photo identification in order to test.
View forms of acceptable identification
