All new degree students must take the Basic Skills
("Accuplacer") placement test.
|
Pre-Registration
Testing
All new degree students must take a Basic Skills Placement
Test which includes measurement of reading, writing and mathematics. This test
is designed to assure that students are ready to perform college-level work.
Waivers of testing are available to students under the following provisions:
Full Test Waiver (You will not have to take the test):
1) You have completed at least 24 college level credits with
a grade of “C” or better from an accredited college. These 24 credits must
include English composition and a mathematics course higher than elementary
Algebra.
2) You have taken the Accuplacer or NJBST test at another
New Jersey college.
3) You have at least a four-year degree from an accredited
college.
Partial Test Waiver (You only need part of the test):
1) You have taken the SAT test and have scored as follows:
a) Verbal score of 530 or higher will waive the Writing test.
b) Verbal score
of 540 or higher will waive both Writing and Reading tests.
c)
Quantitative score of 540 or higher will waive both Computation and Algebra
tests.
2) You have credits from another college that do not meet
the full guidelines of the Full Test Waiver category above. You MAY qualify for
a partial waiver. An individual assessment must be made.
Non-native speakers of English, and persons age 65 and older
may also be eligible for a test waiver. To receive a waiver of testing,
students must apply in person in the Admission Office.
Those wishing to waive on the basis of previous credits must
provide an unofficial or official transcript, or a college diploma. Students
with documented disabilities who would like to request appropriate
accommodations should contact the Disability Services Office prior to testing.
Students will be given the name of their student development
specialist (counselor) at the test. Students who waive testing will be given
counselor names in the Admission Office, upon completion of the waiver form. It
is the student’s responsibility to make an appointment with the counselor to
have the Basic Skills Test results interpreted and to select appropriate courses for the initial term.
Students whose scores indicate the need to enhance skills in
the areas of reading, language arts and/or pre-algebra or elementary algebra
will be placed in the appropriate courses. Students with gaps in their academic
backgrounds or who, with the passage of time, have grown rusty in one or more
of these areas, will find the developmental courses are designed to bring basic
skills up to the necessary level for optimum college performance. Students
needing such work must take and satisfactorily complete the developmental
courses, although credits do not count towards graduation. Students whose
scores indicate no need for developmental work may not enroll in them.
Counseling
All degree (matriculated students) are assigned a student
development specialist (counselor) to work with over the course of their
educational career at Brookdale. See page 31 for a complete description of the
Counseling Division and Student Development Services. It is the responsibility
of the student development specialist (counselor) to assist degree students in
selecting courses which meet particular goals. After discussion with the
student, the counselor will generate a program plan form or a course
registration form. Students are then prepared to register, and should do so at
the Office of Registration on the first available date. Degree students should
make an appointment with their counselor before registering for any subsequent
term.
|
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a computerized test?
Who must take the test?
When and where are the tests given?
What if I need to make special arrangements?
What should I bring to the test?
Can I use my dictionary or a calculator?
Should I guess?
What kinds of questions are on the test?
Practice online for the:
What happens at the end of the test?
How will I get my test score?
What if I have a question about a test item?
What Rules and Conditions apply to the testing situation?
What is a computerized test?
You take the
Accuplacer Basic Skills test
using a computer. You use either the keyboard or the mouse to
enter your answers and supply other information. A Test Administrator will always be present if
you
have questions or problems. The Test Administrator has the ability to resolve any difficulties that
may occur.
You will be presented with from 12 to 20 questions.
The questions appear one at a time on the computer screen. Most questions are multiple choice, and all
you need do is use the "Enter" key or mouse to select an answer. When you have completed the
question and confirmed your answer, a new screen will appear with your next question.
Each test is adaptive. This means that the computer automatically determines which questions are
presented to you based on your responses to prior questions. This technique selects just the right
questions to ask without being too easy or too difficult.
Each test is untimed so that you can give each question as much thought as you wish. However, once
you have selected and confirmed your answer, you can not return to that question. (We have found that
each test usually takes students 15 to 20 minutes to complete.)
Who Must Take the Test?
All first-time matriculated students are required to be tested for placement.
Waivers of testing are available to transfer students with 24 credits, including college-level English
composition and math graded “C” or above from other accredited institutions. Students with fewer than 24
credits of college-level courses must take the Reading placement test.
Persons age 65 and older are exempt. Students who require instruction in English as a Second
Language are exempt from the test until completion of the ESL sequence.
To receive a waiver of testing, you must make a request to a representative in the Registrar’s Office. If
you wish to waive the Basic Skills test on the basis of previous credits, you must provide an official transcript
or a college diploma. Students who waive the test will be assigned their Student Development
Specialist in the Office of Admissions.
When and Where are the Tests Given?
The Accuplacer Basic Skills test is available in the Testing Center on the second
floor of the NAS building, Lincroft Campus.
The test is also available at Brookdale`s Higher Education
Centers, located in Asbury Park, Freehold, Keansburg, Long Branch, and Wall
Township. Call the
Center in advance to make an appointment. Or stop in anytime during an Instant
Admit Day event - held in August and January at all locations.
What if I need to make special
arrangements?
If you have a disability or temporarily disabling condition that will prevent you from taking the tests under
standard conditions, contact the Disability Services Office at 732-224-2730 or TTY at 732-842-4211.
What should I bring to the test?
On the day of the test, be sure to have a photo ID along with pencils and erasers.
Can I use my dictionary, or calculator?
Textbooks, notebooks, dictionaries, calculators, or other papers of any kind (except scratch provided for
use in the mathematics tests) are not allowed in the testing room. Additionally,
anyone who gives or receives
help during the test, or uses notes or books of any kind, will not be allowed to continue the test.
Following
the test, no materials or notes may be removed from the room. Brookdale may cancel your score if there
is reason to question its validity.
Should I guess?
This is an adaptive test. This means that the questions are chosen for you on the basis of your
answers to previous questions. Because the test works this way, you must answer every question when it
is first given. You can change your answer to a particular question before moving on to the next question,
but you can not leave a question out or come back to it later to change your answer. Once you go on to
the next question, you can not return to the question. If you do not know the answer to a question, try to
eliminate one or more of the choices. Then pick from the remaining choices.
What kinds of questions are on the test?
SENTENCE SKILLS TEST
This test measures your understanding of sentence structure --- how sentences are put together and what
makes a sentence complete and clear.
Before you begin there will be two sample questions with the correct answers indicated. In some
questions you will be asked to select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. The first
choice is the same as the original. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first one.
Sample Question
Ms. Rose planning to teach a course in biology next summer.
planning
are planning
with a plan
*plans
The correct answer is plans. The sentence should be "Ms. Rose plans to teach a course in
biology next summer."
In other questions you will be asked to rewrite a sentence in your head. You will be told how to begin your
new sentence. Your new sentence should be well written and should have essentially the same meaning
as the sentence given you.
Sample Question
Being a female jockey, she was often interviewed.
Rewrite, beginning with
She was often interviewed . . .
The next words will be
on account of she was
by her being
*because she was
being as she was
The correct answer is because she was. The sentence should be "She was often interviewed
because she was a female jockey."
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 answers 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
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 the 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 artists
The correct answer is creativity and mass-production are incompatible.
The author of the passage implies that 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
The Midwest is experiencing its worst drought in fifteen years.
Corn and soybean prices are expected to be very 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.
ARITHMETIC TEST
The Arithmetic test measures your skills in three primary categories. The first is operations with whole
numbers and fractions and recognizing equivalent fractions and mixed numbers. The second category
involves operations with decimals and percents, fractions and percent equivalencies and estimation
problems. The last category involves applications and problem solving. Questions include rate,
percent, and measurement problems, and geometry problems.
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.
10 + 3 =
7
*13
30
40
The correct answer is 13.
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA TEST
There are three categories in the Elementary Algebra test. The first is operations with integers and
rational numbers, the use of absolute value and ordering. The second category is operations with
algebraic expressions with the evaluation of simple formulas and expressions and the evaluation of
positive rational roots and exponents, simplifying algebraic fractions and factoring. The third category
tests skills in equation solving, inequalities and word problems. These questions include solving
systems of linear equations, the solution of quadratic equations by factoring, solving verbal problems.
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.
What happens at the end of the test?
At the end of the test, you will either see a page indicating that you have completed all the testing or one
indicating the test that you have just completed followed by the next test you will take.
How will I get my test score?
Once you have completed the Basic Skills tests, it is your responsibility to call your Student
Development Specialist at the numbers listed below and make an appointment to have the results
evaluated.
Social Science: 224-2338
Humanities: 224-2505
Business: 224-2555
Science: 224-2586
Your Student Development Specialist will work with you on course selections that will meet academic
goals.
Your test scores and the information you provide when taking the tests will only be used by Brookdale for
placement purposes. It may also be used by Brookdale and The College Board for research and
training purposes. Your test information will not be disclosed for any other purpose without your
permission. If the data are used for research purposes, special precautions will be taken to ensure that
your identity is kept confidential.
Questions About the Test Items
If you have questions about a test question, you may write to:
The College Board
Basic Skills Test Development
45 Columbus Ave.
New York, NY 10023
You will receive a written response to any question you submit.
Testing Rules and Conditions
I understand that I must comply with these testing rules and conditions and if I fail to do so, my test
results may be canceled, no monies will be refunded and legal action or other remedies may be
pursued.
I understand that the Basic Skills test is administered to obtain information to assist in placing me in the
appropriate course, determining the need for developmental coursework or meeting college or
other governing body mandates. I further understand that the test may only be taken for
these reasons and may not be taken for any other reason.
I understand that I must have proper identification to be permitted to take
the Basic Skills Test. Proper
identification includes two pieces of positive identification one of which includes a picture.
I understand that my responses may be used for purposes of training and instruction. Further, I
understand that if my response is used for these purposes individual identifying information will be
removed
I understand that the test administrators are responsible for maintaining a secure test
administration and that I authorize the administrators to act as my agents in maintaining test
security and will cooperate with them. I further agree to follow all reasonable oral or written
instructions presented at the test administration. I understand that if I fail to comply with this
requirement, I may be dismissed from the test administration and/or my score may be canceled.
I agree not to communicate with other examinees or other individuals other than the test
administrators during the test administration. I further agree not to disrupt or in any way behave in
any way that would adversely affect my performance or the performance of other examinees. I
understand that if I fail to comply with this requirement, I may be dismissed from the test
administration and/or my score may be canceled.
I understand that all test questions and other test materials are the property of The College Board
and/or its contractors and have been developed at great cost. I further understand that the
materials must be kept confidential and secure from disclosure. These materials are not available
to me outside of the test administration, either before or after the test administration. I understand
that I can not and will not take any assessment materials including notes from the test
administration room. Any other duplication of test materials, in whole or in part is prohibited. I
promise and agree not to disclose any of the contents of the assessment and will not duplicate or
reproduce information contained in those booklets in whole or in part. I understand that if I should
fail to comply with this requirement, I may be liable for the costs associated with a failure to comply
and may be subject to other legal remedies including injunctive relief for any such action on my
part.
I understand that my scores will be made available to institutions of higher education, and
appropriate state agencies. If I wish to cancel my scores I must do so before leaving the test
center by notifying the test administrators in writing of my desire to do so. If The College Board has
any doubt about the legitimacy or validity of my score, they may cancel my test score if in their
sole opinion there is adequate reason to question the validity or legitimacy of the score.
I understand and agree that liability for test administration activities, including but no limited to the
accuracy of the assessment materials, assessment scores, administration conditions including
computer equipment, will be limited to a retake of the assessment or correction of the scores at no
additional charge. I waive all rights to all further claims arising out of any acts or omissions of The
College Board or its contractors.
I understand that the assessment itself, and the assessment program,
are subject to change at the sole discretion of The College Board and
its contractors.
If I object to any of these rules or conditions, I understand that I will advise the test administrators before
the test administration and the objection will be considered prior to allowing me to take the assessment. If
my objection is not honored, I will not be permitted to take the assessment.
I understand that should any of these rules or conditions or other aspect of the assessment process be
declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or illegal, the remaining rules, conditions and
assessment components will not be affected and will remain in effect.
