College Placement Tests (2024)

Lewis and Clark Community College uses college placement tests to determine your current skill level in certain subjects so we can put you in courses that match your abilities. Your academic advisor will use your test results, combined with information about your academic background, goals and interests, to help you choose courses that will give you the best opportunity for success.

More information about testing services

The Accuplacer Next-Generation test is a computerized assessment that will evaluate your skills in reading, writing and math. There is no charge to take the test unless you choose to send scores to another college.

This test may be a good fit for you if:

• You are currently in high school or have recently graduated, but have not taken the ACT/SAT and are seeking a degree or plan to take an English or math course.
• You graduated from high school or received a High School Equivalency Certificate (GED, HiSET, TASC, etc.) more than three years ago and are seeking a degree, or plan to take an English or math course.
• You are transferring from another college and have not completed college-level math or English courses.

If you are transferring credits from another college and have completed math and English courses, please make an appointment with your advisor to determine if you need to take placement testing.

Dual credit students will be given instructions at their high school.

Before the Test

Have an official copy of your high school transcript (mailed by a school official) and/or previous college transcript sent to:

Lewis and Clark Community College
Enrollment Center, Baldwin 1450
5800 Godfrey Rd.
Godfrey, IL 62035

Schedule a Testing Appointment

Our Assessment and Testing Center offers testing services at four locations. Please visit our Testing Services page to find a site that best suits your needs.

schedule your appointment

• If you are a high school student taking the test for dual credit, please identify yourself as such when registering for any test date.
• If you require test accommodations due to a documented disability, please contact the Assessment and Testing Centerfor more information.

On Test Day

Your test will be in the Assessment and Testing Centerin the lower level of Haskell Hall. See thecampus mapfor details.

• Upon arrival, pick up a visitor’s parking pass at the Campus Safety office, located near the North Entrance to campus on Elm Street (at the stoplight). Park in any lot labeled with a red VP on the campus map.
• Arrive for your testing appointment early – testing will start on time.
• You must have a valid Photo ID in order to test.

Test Preparation

The following links contain practice questions to help prepare you:

• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Math (Arithmetic,Quantitative Reasoning/Algebra/Statistics,Advanced Algebra and Functions)
• You can also use theAccuplacer Study Appto take sample tests or “learn as you go!” With the “learn as you go” feature, you will receive feedback and explanations on incorrect answers. The sample tests resemble the test-taking experience (be sure to select “Next-Generation Practice Tests”). This app only requires an email address to sign up, and is a great way to prepare for your College Placement Test!

Tips for Success

• Prepare by practicing the sample questions or utilizing the Accuplacer Study App.
• Relax, but give the test your best effort.
• Get plenty of rest and eat properly prior to the test.
• Arrive a few minutes early in order to find the testing area, bathrooms, and gather your thoughts before the test begins.
• Pay careful attention to directions and be sure you understand them before you begin each test.
• Because this test is adaptive, you must answer every question. If you do not know the answer to a question, try to eliminate one or more of the choices.
• Remember to bring a valid photo ID.

Placement Results

• Accuplacer Reading and Writing Placement
• Accuplacer Math Placement

An ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL) Assessment is required for all students interested in the U of I Engineering Pathways Program in order to determine your readiness for mathematics courses.

ALEKS PPL is a web-based program that uses artificial intelligence to map a student’s strengths and weaknesses. The test is 30 questions or less and generally takes 60-90 minutes to complete. After the assessment, an individualized Prep and Learning Module is available so you can refresh your knowledge on forgotten topics. You then have the opportunity to reassess and improve your placement, if necessary.

What to Expect

ALEKS PPL consists of three parts:

• An Initial Unproctored Placement Assessment – This initial assessment is only for student review and will not be used for placement.
• The Prep and Learning Module – An individualized, self-paced online review
• Access to 2 additional Proctored Placement Assessments

Each student is encouraged to spend time in the Prep and Learning Module, even if the desired score is achieved, because time spent in ALEKS will ultimately lead to better preparation and improved grades.

*Students must wait 48 hours between placement assessments and are required to spend five hours working in their ALEKS Prep and Learning Module between proctored re-assessments.

Before the Test

You must first apply to Lewis and Clark Community College.

Afterward, follow these steps to set up an account and take your first unproctored placement assessment

1. Call the Assessment and Testing Center at (618) 468-5232 to request your 10-character course code for your placement cohort.
2. Once you have this information, visitwww.aleks.comand select SIGN UP NOW!
3. After entering a valid course code, verify the placement cohort information.
4. Next, you will arrive at the Account Status page, which asks if you have ever used ALEKS before.
   • If you have never used ALEKS before, the program will then prompt you to enter your personal information. You must enter your seven-digit L&C student ID number in this section. If you are unsure of what this is, please call the Assessment and Testing Center at (618) 468-5232.
5. After you are logged into ALEKS, you will be taken through to the ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning First Time Use Experience, where you are introduced to ALEKS, given a study survey, and shown the tools tutorial.
6. Once this is completed, you are then directed to begin your Unproctored Placement Assessment.

Schedule an Appointment

Once you have completed your unproctored placement assessment and feel adequately prepared, please call the Assessment and Testing Center at (618) 468-5232 to set up your proctored placement assessment.

On Test Day

Your test will be in the Assessment and Testing Centerin the lower level of Haskell Hall. See thecampus mapfor details.

• Upon arrival, pick up a visitor’s parking pass at the Campus Safety office, located near the North Entrance to campus on Elm Street (at the stoplight). Park in any lot labeled with a red VP on the campus map.
• Arrive for your testing appointment early – testing will start on time.

You must have your ALEKS PPL username and password and a Valid Photo ID in order to test.

Tips for Success

• You will have six months of access to your Prep and Learning module. Access to the prep course will not begin until you select start on the top of your screen. DO NOT select the Prep and Learning Module until you are ready to start working.
• You will have 48 hours to complete your unproctored assessment and three hours to complete your proctored placement assessment.
• Try your best, so you can get an accurate placement. You will probably be asked some questions on material you don't know, and it's OK to answer "I don't know." There is no penalty for incorrect answers, but the information is used in your placement.

Placement Results

Your placement result (overall score) is a number between 0 and 100. It represents the percentage of topics ALEKS has identified you have mastered.

Course placement is determined as follows:

• You will receive your score immediately upon completion of your Placement Assessment.
• Your placement result is valid for up to 12 months.