Student Guide

The purpose of the Test

The Computerized Placement Test (CPTs) were developed by the college board, with the help of committees of college professors, to provide information about your level of skill accomplishment in reading, English, and mathematics that is required for success in college. By assessing your ability levels in these areas, the CPTs helps to determine the English, mathematics, and reading courses most appropriate for you at this time.

 

Test Administration

The Computerized Placement Tests are administered on a personal computer. You will read the instructions and questions on the computer monitor and will select your answer using the computer keyboard.

 

Score Reporting

When you have completed the entire test, you will receive a printed report of your scores. Your Individual Score Report will include your Total Right Score, Range, and Percentile Rank.

The Total Right Score shows how many of the questions you could expect to answer correctly if you took a test made up of 120 questions. Any test score is an estimate, not an exact measure of your skills.

The Range tells you how accurate your score is. If you took the test a second time you could expect your new score to fall somewhere within the Range that is shown.

The Percentile Rank compares your score with the scores of typical students entering college who completed tests composed of similar questions. For example, a Percentile Rank of 70 means that your score is higher than those of 70 percent of the students who completed the test.