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.
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:
For more information, contact our Testing Center at testing@dctc.edu or 651-423-8000.
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
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) | 1042-1046 | AND 2.5 or higher |
| High School GPA (valid within 10 years) | 2.5 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) | 2.5 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). | |
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 1146-1157 |
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 1123-1144 |
AND 2.0 or higher |
| High School GPA (valid within 10 years) | 2.4 or higher AND High School Algebra 2 with C- or better |
|
| 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.
Students requiring test accommodations due to documented disabilities should contact accessibility@dctc.edu for an appointment. Accommodations available include:
In order to take the ACCUPLACER test, individuals must have a DCTC application on file, be utilizing a Remote Testing Voucher or be given a valid waiver. Individuals without one of these items will be required to submit the online application before they will be allowed to test.
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.
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 the list of acceptable forms of identification
