Computerized Placement Test (CPT): Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an entry-level assessment?

At Seminole State College, students are placed in certain courses based on their performance on the College Board's Florida College Entry-Level Placement Test, also known as the Computerized Placement Test (CPT). The CPT assesses students in areas such as sentence skills, reading skills, elementary algebra and, possibly, college-level mathematics. As an alternative to taking the CPT, students may present American College Testing (ACT) scores or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores. The Seminole State Catalog contains score requirements for placement into college-credit-level courses. Students who do not meet one or more of these requirements will be placed into a college preparatory course(s).

What is the CPT?

The CPT is:

• A nationally normed test, customized and delivered by educational institutions
• A fast, accurate determination of whether a student has the skills needed to succeed in a freshman-level course or would benefit most from preparatory work
• Extensively used by community colleges, four-year colleges and technical schools around the world
• Also known as Accuplacer

What are the requirements for entry-level placement?

First-time-in-college, full-time and part-time students must complete the CPT or another state-approved entry assessment test as follows:

• Prior to participating in new student orientation/advisement and registration if you are a degree-seeking student (A.A., A.S. or college-credit certificate)
• Prior to registration for the first session, if you are an academic-enrichment, dual-enrollment or early-admission student.
• Prior to registration for any course that has a specific entry placement score as a prerequisite.

Note: Entry assessment scores must be less than two years old.

Who must take a placement test?

All first-time-in-college, degree-seeking students at Seminole State must take a placement test in the skill areas of English, reading and mathematics, in accordance with Florida's State Board of Education (SBE) regulations, except transfer students who have already completed English, math and/or reading courses. The SBE requires Florida CPT — known nationally as Accuplacer Online — and has approved SAT and ACT test scores to be used as alternatives.

Is the CPT required for students with ACT and/or SAT scores?

The CPT establishes the most accurate placement levels and is therefore recommended for all students. ACT or SAT scores may be used as alternatives, however, when taken within two years of planned attendance. The CPT is required for students whose SAT or ACT scores place them into developmental or college-preparatory English, math or reading courses.

Are transfer students required to take the CPT?

Transfer students who have successfully completed a college English course are exempt from the sentence skills portion of the CPT. Likewise, students who have completed a college mathematics course are exempt from the mathematics portion of the test. Students who have taken college reading courses at another college are exempt from the reading portion of the CPT. These students are placed into courses based on transfer credit, not test scores. They must work with Enrollment Services advisers and counselors to determine placement until transfer credits are evaluated by the Registrar's Office.

Transfer students who have not successfully completed an English, math and/or reading course must take the CPT in the applicable subject(s).

When and where are the tests given?

The CPT is administered on a walk-in basis in the Assessment and Testing Center on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus (A107); the Altamonte Springs Campus (ALT103); and the Oviedo Campus (OVF102). Testing hours are available on the Assessment and Testing website.

Are there any fees for taking the CPT?

There is no testing fee for first-time-in-college students who have not previously taken the CPT or had it reflected on their transcripts. Seminole State students who are retaking all or part of the CPT will be assessed a $10 fee. A $25 fee will be applied for non-Seminole State students who are not applying for admission to the College. Contact the Assessment and Testing Center for more information.

Are there special arrangements for students with disabilities?

Seminole State offers special testing accommodations for students who have documented disabilities. Documentation must be provided to Disability Support Services (DSS) prior to your testing date, providing enough time to determine the appropriate accommodations. Testing accommodations are made on an individual basis. Students with temporary disabilities must also be preapproved for appropriate testing accommodations. Documentation submitted on the day of testing will not be honored.

What should I bring on the day of the test?

On test day, you will need your student ID card or a government or state-issued photo ID, as well as your student ID number, provided by Admissions. Paper and a pencil will be provided so you can work out your answers. The CPT is administered on a computer.

What are the testing regulations?

You must sign in, present your College or photo ID, and receive oral testing instructions before beginning the CPT. After receiving verbal instructions, you will be seated at a computer station to take the test. No cell phones, calculators or electronic devices are permitted in the testing area. Failure to follow testing directions or regulations may invalidate your test scores.

What is a placement test, and how does the CPT work?

The purpose of a placement test is to assess your current skill level, so you can be placed in classes that are neither too easy nor too difficult for you.

The CPT uses SBE cut scores to identify a student's course placement in English, math and reading, and to determine if any college preparatory courses are needed. No matter how you perform on the test, Seminole State has a course sequence that will help you excel in that subject area.

What should I do to prepare for the test?

Use the CPT online practice tests to get a better understanding of how the test is laid out and the types of questions you may be asked.

Is there a tutorial for how to use the computer keyboard and mouse?

From the Accuplacer 2002 Online Student Guide: "If you are not comfortable using a computer keyboard or mouse, you may want to take the tutorial available on the Internet. Ask a friend or adviser to help you."

Computers with Internet access are available to students on all Seminole State campuses.

How will the computer deliver the testing?

You will use a computer to take the CPT and the mouse to enter your answers. Paper and a pencil will be provided for the math portion of the test. There is no essay on the CPT. A test proctor will always be present should you have any questions or problems. Test proctors can resolve any difficulties you may experience during testing.

What is adaptive testing?

From the Accuplacer 2002 Online Student Guide: "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 cannot return to that question."

Should I guess on questions that I don't know?

From the Accuplacer 2002 Online Student Guide: "The CPT (Accuplacer) 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 cannot leave a question out or come back to it later to change your answer. Once you go on to the next question, you cannot 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 should I do at the end of the test?

You will be prompted to locate the test proctor when you finish the CPT. The test proctor will print your test scores, and the results will be forwarded to Seminole State's Counseling and Educational Planning Department (CEPD).

What if I have questions about being placed in certain courses?

You may ask questions about your placement when you meet with your adviser or counselor. Placement into certain courses is based on your test scores and Seminole State's minimum score requirements.

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