Northeastern State University

Purpose of the Test

The Computerized Placement Tests (CPT) are part of the ACCUPLACER system. The CPT's are presented in a computer-adaptive mode, which benefits students with immediate results for timely decision making, regarding course placement in English.

Testing Regulations

Notebooks, calculators, dictionaries, electronic language translators, papers of any kind, and listening, recording, copying, and photographic devices are strictly prohibited. Further, anyone who gives or receives help during the test, or uses notes of any kind, will not be permitted to continue the test. Following the test period, no test materials or notes may be removed from the room. NSU may cancel any test score if there is reason to question its validity.

Scoring

The CPT score range for English is 20 to 120. A score of 80 is needed for enrollment in English 1113 - Composition I. A score of less than 80 requires enrollment in English 0123 - Fundamentals of English Grammar.

The Test

Each student receives 20 sentence skills questions of two types.

The first type is sentence correction questions, which require an understanding of sentence structure. These questions ask students to choose the most appropriate word or phrase to substitute for the underlined portion of the sentence.

The second type is construction shift questions. These ask that a sentence be rewritten according to the criteria shown while maintaining essentially the same meaning as the original sentence.

Within these two primary categories, the questions are also classified according to the skills being tested. Some questions deal with the logic of the sentence, others with whether or not the answer is a complete sentence, and still others with the relationship between coordination and subordination.

In a manner similar to Reading Comprehension questions, these questions are varied according to categories to prevent bias because of a student's particular knowledge. These categories include social sciences, natural and physical sciences, human relations and practical affairs, and the arts.

There is no time limit for completing the 20 questions.