English Placement Testing | ACCUPLACER

The ACCUPLACER English placement test assesses your reading and writing skills to place you in the right English and reading courses at MCC. You can review score charts to see how your results affect course registration, learn what to expect on each exam part, and use free study tools to prepare.

Course Placement Charts

Your course placement is based on your WritePlacer essay score (1–8) and your Reading Comprehension score (200–300). Find your scores in the placement tables to see which course you need or if you should retest.

Combined Writing and Reading Scores

Course placement based on combined WritePlacer writing score and Reading score
Writing Score Reading Score: 225 and below Reading Score: 226–236 Reading Score: 237–250 Reading Score: 251+
1–2 English Retest Required English Retest Required English Retest Required English Retest Required
3 English Retest Required English Retest Required ENG 095 (or ENG 097) ENG 095 (or ENG 097)
4 English Retest Required ENG 095 (or ENG 097) ENG 095 (or ENG 097) ENG 151
5 English Retest Required ENG 095 (or ENG 097) ENG 151 ENG 151
6+ English Retest Required ENG 151 ENG 151 ENG 151

Standalone Reading Scores

Course placement based on combined WritePlacer writing score and Reading score
Writing Score Reading Score: 225 and below Reading Score: 226–236 Reading Score: 237–250 Reading Score: 251+
1–2 English Retest Required English Retest Required English Retest Required English Retest Required
3 English Retest Required English Retest Required ENG 095 (or ENG 097) ENG 095 (or ENG 097)
4 English Retest Required ENG 095 (or ENG 097) ENG 095 (or ENG 097) ENG 151
5 English Retest Required ENG 095 (or ENG 097) ENG 151 ENG 151
6+ English Retest Required ENG 151 ENG 151 ENG 151

Note for Health Sciences: A reading placement score of 226 or higher is required to enroll in the Basic Nursing Assistant Program.

What to Expect on the Test

The English placement test includes two computer-based sections that have no time limit.

Reading Comprehension Section

The reading comprehension section contains 22 multiple-choice questions that are meant to evaluate your ability to work out the meaning of different texts.

WritePlacer Essay Section

WritePlacer is the section involving essay writing on the ACCUPLACER test. You are to read a short passage and a prompt, after which you write a response made up of several paragraphs (between 300 and 600 words).

The WritePlacer scores go from 1 to 8, and the automated system assesses your essay based on six main characteristics:

  • Purpose and Focus
  • Organization and Structure
  • Development and Support
  • Sentence Variety and Style
  • Mechanical Conventions
  • Critical Thinking

Practice Tests and Study Resources

Reviewing practice materials before testing can help reflect your true placement level. Recommended preparation steps include:

Speak with a Learning Specialist

Have questions about your scores or pre-test study strategies? Schedule an appointment with a learning specialist to discuss ACCUPLACER English placement requirements and resources.