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ACCUPLACER: MATH OVERVIEW - NEXT GENERATION TESTS

Before you get started:

  • For the math test only, students will self-select their initial starting point. 
    IMPORTANT: Once a starting point is selected and the test has started, you cannot go back to change it.

    The available choices are:
    1) Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics OR
    2) Advanced Algebra and Functions.
     
  • Personal calculators are not permitted on ACCUPLACER math tests. A built-in calculator will be available on some, but not all of the test questions.
  • The time to complete a single ACCUPLACER math section will vary from student to student.
    Most students will generally complete their test within an hour. Other students may find their test might be shorter or longer than the typical "average". This is completely normal. Take your time and don't rush.
  • In most cases, you will receive your placement after going through one or two sections of the test.
  • This test is designed to assess your current skills at the time you take your test. It will not help you learn new math that you have never been exposed to before.
  • If you have previous math experience in high school or college but have become "rusty" over time and want to sharpen your skills, it is best to target your learning in the areas that you have difficulty in first then review the rest of the topics in that section to solidify your skills. Don't "cherry pick" because all topics in that section of the test will be covered.
  • Remember, terms like "easy" or "difficult" is subjective. What is easy for one person can be very difficult for another.

ARITHMETIC

Equivalent courses at Kapiʻolani CC: MATH 75X, MATH 82
The arithmetic test consists of 20 questions on the following topics:

Topic Number of Test Items Concepts
Whole number operations 3 to 5 Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, including order of operations, estimation and rounding, and applying operations to real-life contexts.
Fraction operations 3 to 5 Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of fractions and mixed numbers, including order of operations, estimation and rounding, and applying operations to real-life contexts.
Decimal operations 3 to 5 Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of decimal numbers, including order of operations, estimation and rounding, and applying operations to real-life contexts.
Percent 3 to 5 Calculation with percent with or without a context, including percent increase, percent decrease, determining the percent of a number, and applying percent to real-life contexts.
Number comparisons and equivalents 3 to 5 Comparisons of differently formatted values by ordering, using the number line, and using equality / inequality symbol notation; and evaluation of equivalent number statements (to assess mental math strategies).

QUANTITATIVE REASONING, ALGEBRA, AND STATISTICS

Equivalent courses at Kapiʻolani CC: MATH 78, 82, 88, 100, 103, 111, 115
The quantitative reasoning, algebra, and statistics test consists of 20 questions on the following topics:

Topic Number of Test Items Concepts
Rational Numbers 1 to 3 Calculating and applying rational numbers (with or without a content), including usage of absolute value.
Ratio and proportional relationships 3 to 4 Calculating with rates, ratios, and proportions (with or without a context), and using unit conversions.
Exponents 2 to 3 Calculating with exponents, radicals, fractional exponents, and applying scientific notation.
Algebraic expressions 2 to 3 Creating and evaluating expressions to represent situations, and using properties of operations to combine like terms and identify equivalent expressions.
Linear equations 2 to 4 Creating linear equations in one or two variables, solving linear equations, simplifying linear equations and inequalities, and solving systems of two linear equations.
Linear applications and graphs 2 to 4 Applying linear equations to real-life contexts, using elementary linear functions to describe relationships, and graphing linear equations in two variables, linear inequalities, parallel and perpendicular lines, and systems of equations.
Probability and sets 1 to 3 Calculating probability (simple, compound, and conditional), and defining sample spaces and events using set notation.
Descriptive statistics 1 to 3 Interpreting graphical displays of data (histograms, box plots, and scatterplots), describing shape and spread of a sample set, and calculating measures of center.
Geometry concepts for HS Pre-Algebra 1 to 2 Determining area and perimeter, circle area and circumference, and volume of prisms.
Geometry concepts for HS Algebra 1 1 to 2 Creating expressions for area, perimeter, and volume, using distance formula and Pythagorean theorem, and evaluating basic geometric transformations.

ADVANCED ALGEBRA & FUNCTIONS

Equivalent courses at Kapiʻolani CC: MATH 135, MATH 140, MATH 241
The advanced algebra and functions test consists of 20 questions on the following topics:

Topic Number of Test Items Concepts
Linear equations 2 to 3 Calculating linear equations in one or two variables, solving linear equations, simplifying linear equations and inequalities, and solving systems of two linear equations.
Linear applications and graphs 2 to 3 Applying linear equations to real-life contexts, using elementary linear functions to describe relationships, and graphing linear equations in two variables, linear inequalities, parallel and perpendicular lines.
Factoring 1 to 2 Factoring methods applied to quadratics, cubics, and polynomials.
Quadratics 2 to 3 Creating quadratic equations in one or two variables, solving quadratic equations (via factoring or using the quadratic equations), simplifying quadratic equations and inequalities, and solving for systems that involve a quadratic equation.
Functions 2 to 4 Creating functions using function notation, evaluating linear and quadratic functions, graphing functions, and interpreting functions within a context.
Polynomial equations 1 to 3 Creating polynomial equations in one and two variables, solving polynomial equations, and graphing polynomial functions.
Radical and rational equations 1 to 3 Creating radical and rational equations and functions in one variable, determining domain and range for radical and rational functions, graphing radical and rational functions, and simplifying radical and rational expressions and equations.
Exponential and logarithmic functions 1 to 3 Creating exponential and logarithmic equations in one and two variables, solving exponential and logarithmic equations, graphing exponential and logarithmic functions, and interpreting exponential and logarithmic functions.
Geometry concepts for HS Algebra 1 1 to 2 Creating expressions for area, perimeter, and volume, using distance formula and Pythagorean theorem, and evaluating basic geometric transformations.
Geometry concepts for HS Algebra 2 1 to 2 Determining volume of nonprism objects, using intersecting the theorems, using triangle similarity and congruency theorems, and using circle equations in the coordinate plane.
Trigonometry 1 to 3 Solving trigonometric equations, using right triangle trigonometry including special triangles, evaluating equivalent trigonometric functions, graphing trigonometric relationships, determining arc length and radian measures, and using the law of sines and the law of cosines.

Last Reviewed: 9/13/2022