Are You Ready For Your Next-generation Placement Test?

If you are preparing for your college or university entrance examination, you know just how time-consuming it can be. You have probably spent hours writing, re-writing, rewriting, and practicing for the college or university entrance examination you are scheduled to take. Now, you will have to take your examination and impress your selection committee with your preparedness. Placement tests can take the stress out of the process. With a placement test taking the pressure off, you can get back to being yourself – well and truly ready for that examination!

Placement exams are offered on an on-site basis. Please note that usually the ALEKS PPL examination must be commenced no earlier than 5:00 PM Monday – Thursday, and no earlier than 3:00 PM on Friday to guarantee you have enough time to finish the examination within the set time limit. In addition to giving your teachers and schools an idea of where you stand for placement testing, taking placement tests during the year can save money. Placement tests that take place in January may not give your school or teacher an accurate indication of your level of preparation, since most people take this exam at the start of January. Taking the placement test in May or June will give them an accurate indication of where you stand.

The next-generation placement tests offered by the Aleks State College Colleges, University, are nationally recognized in preparing students for high school and for college entry. Students taking these placement tests will demonstrate their readiness for college entrance exams by presenting them with questions that test various aspects of their thinking and decision making as well as aspects of mathematics. There are many reasons to take these tests, including preparing for the college application, increasing student self-confidence, building critical thinking skills, enhancing communication skills, preparing for upcoming career choices, preparing for standardized tests such as GRE, TOEFL, or IELTS, preparing for and taking tests in ESL/English as a Second Language (ESL) placement exams in North America or South America, preparing for and taking the SAT, and preparing for the SAT or ACT. For students that need their high school diploma but lack enough time to commute to a four year college, these tests can be invaluable in helping them earn a diploma. For students that need both a high school diploma and the SAT or ACT for college entry, these tests can make the difference between getting in and getting a great high school education.

Students in need of financial assistance for college will find that they can take the Financial Aid placement exams to determine their eligibility for any number of scholarship and loan programs. Students that qualify for need-based financial aid will be given detailed instructions about how to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for each student. Students that qualify for need-based loans and grants will receive more detailed information about how to apply for those programs, which loans and grants they qualify for, and what the process will take for applying. Many students find that their first chance at college comes through these types of placement exams, as well as their first taste of government assistance for college.

Many students that are struggling with English composition or language skills, or who need to take a placement test to show that they have a firm grasp on American history or other subject areas, will find that they can take one of the two English composition placement exams offered by the National Assessment for Existing Foreign Language (NAér) for students taking courses in English composition, writing, or language. The essay portion of the exam consists of a reading passage and a writing passage and will assess students’ writing and reading skills based upon the standards set by the Department of State, along with certain other criteria established by the exam provider. Students can take an examination after passing the first portion of the test to confirm their placement on the test and gain placement in the second, third, or fourth class level.

Students that need a little bit of help in the sciences may also be pleased to learn that there are several placement exams that they can take to earn college credits. The science placement exams that are administered by NAér are similar to those taken in the U.S., however, the essay portion requires a more complex format and will test a student’s scientific knowledge in combination with their prior knowledge. Students taking these placement exams must first complete all coursework for each class in order to gain credit, and must then pass a final oral assessment before earning their PPL card. This exam is administered by the Department of State and will provide students with credit for actual coursework that was successfully completed in the science classes that were taken.

Students that need assistance with their English composition or English as a Second Language (ESL) may also be happy to hear that there are several community college placement exams that they can take in order to earn credit toward a university degree. The American Council for Higher Education (ACE) has a website that contains a listing of accredited community colleges which offer the courses that are required for a first-time or reapplication for federal student aid. Students must register for an examination that will gauge their understanding of English composition and their level of general academic knowledge. Once students have passed this examination, they can apply for a FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, that must be filed with the university of choice in order to qualify for financial aid. Students that qualify for federal student aid can also take the placement exam for ESL students.

Students that need assistance with their math placement exams may also be pleased to hear that there are several online math tutoring centers that are available to help students with their scores on their mathematics PPL placement exams. These tutoring centers will allow students to take an exam, answer questions, complete work on a practice problem, work with a teacher, and then return to take the test again. Students may be able to receive tutoring at any time of the day or night from these online service providers, and will not have to worry about traveling to a local service center. Students that need assistance with their English placement exams may also be happy to hear that there are also several of these online services that are available online to help with their placement test scores.