CSM Placement Testing

About Placement Testing

All courses in English and mathematics require that students have completed the appropriate tests for placement prior to enrollment, as do many other courses in a variety of disciplines (for example: chemistry, early childhood education, and information technology services).  These requirements are listed under prerequisites in the course description section of the CSM Academic Catalog.  For all of these reasons, students should make it a priority to complete the placement tests as early as possible after admission but no later than the point at which they have accumulated nine credits.

ALEKS PPL Math Placement Testing

College of Southern Maryland requires an ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL) Assessment to determine readiness for mathematics courses. ALEKS PPL is a web-based program that uses artificial intelligence to map a student’s strengths and weaknesses. The Placement Assessment is up to 30 questions and generally takes 60-90 minutes to complete. After the Placement Assessment, an individualized Prep and Learning Module is available for students to refresh their knowledge on forgotten topics. Students then have the opportunity to reassess and improve their placement.

Learn More about Aleks PPL


Accuplacer Reading and Writing Placement Test

The purpose of the ACCUPLACER placement test at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is to assess students' entry-level academic skills and to provide options to strengthen them.  Students have a better chance for success in college if their basic skills are strong enough to meet the rigors of college-level classes. 

ACCUPLACER is an internet-based, computerized, adaptive, placement testing system developed by College Board. The test assesses basic skills in writing (English), reading, and mathematics, as well as more advanced mathematics skills. The test consists of multiple choice questions and is untimed.

The Reading Comprehension test measures a student’s ability to understand what he or she has read. Question content includes identifying main ideas, direct statements/secondary ideas, inferences, and applications. 

The Writing/Sentence Skills test measures students understanding of sentence structure, i.e., how sentences are put together and what makes a sentence complete and clear. Question content includes recognizing complete sentences, coordination/subordination, and clear sentence logic. 

Practice materials are available on the ACCUPLACER website and on the Testing Center website.

Note: Students do not have to take all tests at one time. Completing the tests with some time in between can aid student concentration and comfort level. Inform the Testing Center staff if you do not want to take all of your tests in the same day.

What to Expect When You Take the Placement Test

  • A valid photo identification (government issued photo ID or CSM student ID card) is required for all testing.
  • Your CSM student identification number is required.
  • Appointments are required at the Leonardtown & Prince Frederick campuses. La Plata placement testing operates on a walk-in basis within the scheduled hours of operation, meaning no appointment is necessary for CSM students.
  • Pencils and scratch paper will be provided. The ACCUPLACER test has a built-in calculator for use on specific math problems only. Outside calculators are not permitted.
  • You will receive your scores directly after completing your test.
  • No children are allowed in Testing Centers. Children will not be monitored by Testing Center staff.
  • No personal items, including cellular phones, earbuds, wallets, smart watches, etc., are allowed in Testing Centers. Lockers can be provided for personal items, but please come with only allowed materials.

How Long Does The Test Take?

The test is not timed. Students should take as long as necessary to consider their answers before moving on from one question to the next. Once an answer has been selected and confirmed, students cannot return to that question to alter it. Many students manage to complete all three sections of the ACCUPLACER test within two hours.  

How Do I Request Testing Accommodations? 

Students who believe they may require accommodations in order to do their best on the placement test should apply for them through our Disability Support Services (DSS) office.  Students should plan plenty of time to complete the process.  Learn more about Disability Support Services.  

When Do Scores Expire?

Placement Test results are valid for a period of 2 years.

Cost of Placement Test

There is no cost for students taking their first attempt of the placement test for the College of Southern Maryland at the La Plata, Leonardtown, and Prince Frederick campuses. If taking the test at an approved alternate site, students may incur a cost for the proctor and/or the site. There is a fee for retesting, as well as a limit to the number of attempts.

Placement Test Results

The attached document details Placement Test Cut Scores for the College of Southern Maryland. Please contact the Student Success Center or the Academic Advising Office if you have any questions. Read more about the different levels of placement below.

Adult Basic Education (ABE)

Adult Basic Education (ABE) describes a level of capability on the placement tests. Students, who receive this score designation will need to improve their reading, math, and/or English language skills before they begin coursework at the College of Southern Maryland. If your placement test scores specify placement at the ABE level, you will be required to do supplementary work prior to retesting and starting college classes. 

College Preparation

College Preparation classes offer the opportunity to build up skills in math, reading or English to prepare for work in college level courses.

College Level Courses

College Level test results allow students to register for college level introductory courses, or, depending on their score, even skip some initial college level courses.

College of Southern Maryland students who find themselves unable to make it to a CSM Testing Center during our hours of operation may be able to take CSM's ACCUPLACER placement test at home while being proctored virtually by the proctoring service Examity®. Examity is an approved online remote proctor that is available 24/7/365, allowing you to schedule an appointment for your preferred time. There is a $25 fee per session when using Examity, and there are certain guidelines and technology requirements that must be met in order to be able to use the Examity service.

For more information about these requirements and about Examity, please visit the Examity Website here: https://examity.com/accuplacer-students/

Students who are interested in this option should visit the link above to verify that they meet the requirements for testing at home.

Once the Testing Center receives, processes, and approves your request, you will receive a follow-up email with further instructions on how to access the test. This may take up to three business days. All standard placement testing policies regarding make-up testing such as proof of practice, PLATO, and/or retest payment still apply.

Please note that students who are attempting to retake the placement test through Examity are still required to complete remediation prior to retesting.

Work and/or Academic Experience

Students who can document work and/or academic experience that would suggest the ability to do college-level work can provide such documentation to the appropriate department chair for consideration of a waiver of the placement test in English, reading, and/or math.

High School Transcripts

Students who have graduated high school within the last two years are required to submit official transcripts for review. Outstanding achievement in higher level math and English courses (honors, AP, etc.) may be considered to determine appropriate placement in college-level courses.  

SAT/ACT Scores

Students who have taken the SAT within the last two years can be granted a waiver for the Reading and English placement tests with a score of 480+ on the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing test.

Students who have taken the SAT within the last two years and received an SAT Math score between 530-569 can be placed into MTH-1010 or MTH-1015, while an SAT Math score of 570+ will allow a student to place into either MTH-1115 or MTH-1120, depending on their program of study. You should meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss which math course is appropriate for your program of study.

Students who have taken the ACT within the last two years can be granted a waiver for the Reading placement test with a score of 21+ on the ACT Reading, and can also receive a waiver for the English placement test with a score of 21+ on the ACT English.

An ACT Math score of 21-23 will allow a student to place into MTH-1010 or MTH-1015, while an ACT Math score of 24+ will allow a student to place into either MTH-1115 or MTH-1120, depending on their program of study. You should meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss which math course is appropriate for your program of study. 

Students may have their official SAT/ACT test scores sent directly to the Student Success Center, or can come into a Center and print the scores out from their ACT or SAT accounts in front of a SSC official (anytime during normal business hours).

Transfer Students

Transfer students who have not taken a college-level English or a college-level mathematics course in the last five years may be required to validate their skills in those areas.

GED Scores

Students with a score of 165+ on the Reasoning Through Language Arts section of the GED will be granted a waiver for the Reading and English placement tests.

Students with a score of 165+ on the Mathematical Reasoning section of the GED will be able to place into MTH-1010 or MTH-1015. In order to place higher than MTH-1010, the student will need to take the Math placement test.

PLACEMENT TESTING

PRIOR TO TESTING

REMEDIATION PROOF

TEST FEE

First Placement Test (taken at a Test Center or high school)

Optional:

None Required

Free

Second Placement Test (1st Retest) -With Review of Skills

 

Provide a print out of completed practice materials from websites

OR

demonstrate proof of practice on ACCUPLACER Web-based study app. 

Free

With proof of remediation

Second Placement Test (1st Retest) -
Without Review of Skills

Proof of remediation is not required.  There is a fee. 

$30

Students who are re-testing in more than 1 subject  should hold onto their receipt. 

Third Placement Test (2nd Retest)
  • All students must wait 48 hours before attempting a re-test.
  • Advisor will put a note in student account approving the third retest.

Contact an Academic Advisor. There must be significant extenuating circumstances to justify a retest.

$30

Students who are re-testing in more than one subject  should hold onto their receipts. 

Any Additional Retests prior to completing a Reading, English, or math course
  • All students must wait 48 hours before attempting a re-test.
  • Discussion required with an Academic Advisor, covering course expectations and additional remediation alternatives.
  • Advisor will put a note in student account approving the third retest.

Contact an Academic Advisor. There must be significant extenuating circumstances to justify a retest.

$30

Students who are re-testing in more than one subject  should hold onto their receipts. 

 

Placement Retest after completing a significant portion of a college prep course (course starts with a zero or MTH-1000T)
  • All students must wait 48 hours before attempting a re-test.
  • Required: Completing a significant portion of the course work in a college prep course is a remediation option as long as the course work is consistent with the subject area you are testing in (such as RDG-0700 if you want to retest in reading).

Contact an Academic Advisor. If approval is granted, it will be noted on your student record.

Free

Students who have taken the official Accuplacer Reading and Writing placement exam at another institution within the last years can, if they wish, submit those scores to CSM rather than taking the test again.

The Testing Centers do not automatically have access to scores taken at other institutions. Therefore, to have placement test scores reviewed, students need to officially request that the school they are transferring from send the official Accuplacer score report or the test scores and test type on school letterhead by email to Testing_Center@csmd.edu or by postal mail. Scores cannot be hand delivered by students, and will not be accepted in this format.

CSM does not accept ALEKS math placement score from other institutions. The Aleks Math Placement test needs to be taken at one of the CSM Testing Centers. If a student has taken the ALKES test at another institution within last 2 years, they can skip the diagnostic and 5 hours study requirement. Their first assessment will be considered for course placement. Proof of prior ALEKS testing will be required. Either a screenshot of the score or an email from the institution’s Testing Center with the score and date taken can be used.

If you are interested in pursuing this option and have any questions, please contact the Testing Center by calling 301-934-7657.

Students who have taken placement tests at the College of Southern Maryland for CSM can request that their placement test scores be sent to another institution by completing the below Student Release Form and presenting the original or submitting a copy of a driver’s license or government issued photo identification card along with your request.

Other Placement Tests

Students have the option of taking the Chemistry Placement Test (California Chemistry Test) in order to place out of CHE 1050.

The test is free and offered on a walk-in basis at all three Testing Centers.

Students are given 45 minutes to answer 44 multiple choice questions.

A score of 20 or higher allows for placement into CHE 1200 and/or CHE 1200L upon the successful completion of MTH 1115 or MTH 1120. A score of 20 or higher allows for placement into CHE 1350 upon the successful completion of MTH 1120 or MTH 1150.

Students may re-test only once if their score is within 1 point of a passing grade after a week's wait.

Successful completion of this test is required to register for the following programs:

  • Certified Nursing Assistant/Geriatric Nursing Assistant (CNA/GNA)
  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
  • Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) 

The WorkKeys exam is a test of essential work skills in three areas:

  • Applied Math
  • Graphic Literacy
  • Workplace Documents

Each section of this computer-based test has a maximum time limit of 55 minutes.  The cost for the WorkKeys exam is $45.  Test payment information is available here.

Scheduling Information:

  • La Plata administers the WorkKeys exam by appointment only.  Call 301-934-7657 or visit the La Plata Testing Center in LR 114 to schedule your test.  
  • Leonardtown administers the WorkKeys exam by appointment only. Call 240-725-5340 or visit the Leonardtown Testing Center in C 314 to schedule your test.
  • Prince Frederick administers the WorkKeys exam by appointment only.  Call 443-550-6040 or visit the Prince Frederick Testing Center in A 102 to schedule your test.
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