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.
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.
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) - |
|
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) |
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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 |
|
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) |
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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.