Peru State College uses the Accuplacer to identify college-level course placement appropriate to a student’s skills level in mathematics and/or English and as a measure of proficiency for advancement beyond developmental math and English courses. The Accuplacer is required for incoming students with fewer than 30 credits who have no ACT or SAT scores. Students who do have ACT or SAT scores and place into developmental courses on the basis of these scores may, if they so choose, challenge the developmental placement by taking the Accuplacer English and/or Math exams (at no cost).

Placement testing sessions are offered prior to Orientation, but incoming students may, if they wish, take the placement tests prior to Orientation, either on campus or at a cooperating library near their home. To schedule an appointment or to arrange to have the Accuplacer proctored at a library, contact Ursula Waln, Director of Student Assessment and Success Services, at 402-872-2341. To try out some free Accuplacer practice questions, click here.

English and Math Placement Policy

 

Prior to registering for college-entry level classes, students entering Peru State College with fewer than thirty (30) hours of college work must be evaluated for appropriate placement in composition and mathematics courses, using the highest placement indicators available from ACT subject scores, SAT subject scores, a proficiency test administered by the College, or successful completion of related college course work.

 

Composition Placement (in the absence of transfer composition course work):

• Freshmen with ACT English scores below 19 or SAT Writing scores below 450 are required to enroll in ENG 100 (or place out of it through proficiency testing).
• Freshmen with ACT English scores of 19 or higher or SAT Writing scores of 450 or higher may select their own composition course placement.

Mathematics Placement (in the absence of transfer mathematics course work):

• Freshmen with ACT Math scores below 18 or SAT Math scores below 500 are required to enroll in MATH 100 (or place out of it through proficiency testing).
• Freshmen with ACT Math scores of 18 or higher or SAT Math scores of 500 or higher may select their own mathematics course placement.

Developmental Courses

Elements of Composition (ENG 100) and Elementary Algebra (MATH 100) are designed to assist students in reaching their educational objectives. These courses focus on the areas that most often affect student success: reading, composition, and mathematics. ENG 100 and MATH 100 are three (3) credit hourse each and earn students institutional credit; however, neither course fulfills a General Studies requirement. Students who are enrolled in ENG 100 or MATH 100 are limited to a fourteen (14) credit hour academic load.

 

Students who are required to take ENG 100 and/or MATH 100 must earn a grade of C or better and demonstrate competency by passing the appropriate proficiency test to advance to related composition and/or mathematics General Studies courses. Proficiency tests are administered by CATS personnel. Students may retake the component tests as many times as necessary to meet the minimum score requirements. However, a minimum waiting period of two days is required before retesting, and retesting fees may apply.