Placement assessment
Minnesota State course placement guidelines
Metro State University follows Minnesota State Board Policy 3.3 – Assessment for Course Placement and System Procedure 3.3.1.
Course placement is determined using multiple measures of academic readiness, which may include standardized test scores, high school GPA, prior coursework, and placement assessments such as Accuplacer. Guided self-placement may also be available in consultation with an academic advisor.
Assessment testing
Accuplacer testing at the Testing Center is available to admitted students and individuals affiliated with Metro State University. If you need an alternative testing location, visit accuplacer.org for additional options.
- Available to Metro State University students
- Appointments are required and seating is limited
- To schedule an appointment, email testing@metrostate.edu and include your Student ID or StarID
To complete Accuplacer testing remotely, follow these steps:
- Verify technology and environment requirements:
- Desktop or laptop computer (no phones or tablets)
- Stable internet connection
- Webcam
- Quiet testing environment
- Download and install Zoom
- Confirm Zoom is working properly (“Join with Video”)
- Verify your computer meets Accuplacer system requirements
- Email testing@metrostate.edu to schedule an appointment (include Student ID or StarID)
The purpose of ACCUPLACER tests is to provide you with useful information about your academic skills in math, English, and reading. The results of the assessment are used to determine your course selection.
You can not "pass" or "fail" the placement tests, but it is very important that you do your very best on these tests so that you will have an accurate measure of your academic skills.
To ensure that test scores accurately represent your skill levels, you may wish to review basic concepts in reading, grammar, arithmetic, trigonometry, and algebra before taking ACCUPLACER, especially if you have been away from school for some time.
The Accuplacer website provides practice tests and preparation resources for Next-Generation Accuplacer tests. You can print out the results as soon as you complete the tests. The results will be loaded into the university student records system in about 1-2 work days during the registration period.
How are placement tests used?
Placement results provide important insights into students' skill levels in math, reading and writing. Students and their advisors use the information to select or recommend those courses most suited to students' academic needs.
Placement results are also used to meet the prerequisites for specific courses or the university's general education competency requirement. The assessment also helps ensure faculty provide high-quality teaching to all students.
Who takes assessments?
For students who are not placed automatically using prior coursework, high school GPA (within ten years), MCA, SAT, or SAT scores, a placement exam may be necessary.
Incoming students, including transfer and readmitted students, have potential transfer credits evaluated through the degree auditing process determines whether an exemption from placement assessments is granted. Your interactive degree audit/DARS will tell you if you need to take an assessment. If you see “Student Holds: 0006 — Assessment Test” on your DARS, you won't be able to register for any class until you take a placement assessment or speak to your advisor about guided self-placement.
Appeals process
For students who believe they should be placed in a course higher than indicated by the Placement & Testing Center and for a course higher than entry-level college math or writing/reading, please follow this process:
- Student downloads and completes the Placement Recommendation Appeals Form. This form requires the student to provide a written rationale for the appeal.
- Student submits the completed form to appeal form back to the Testing Center at testing@metrostate.edu.
- Placement and Testing Center forwards appeals form AND student’s placement data to appropriate department chair (math or reading/writing).
- Department chair follows up with the student and makes a decision about whether to override recommended placement.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding course placement, please email testing@metrostate.edu or call 651-793-1538.