Placement Testing

Minnesota West uses ACT, SAT, MCA, Accuplacer scores or high school GPA to determine course placement.

Assessment and placement

To take the Accuplacer, choose a campus location and schedule with an Advisor.
Schedule a testing services appointment

Course placement may be determined by: 

  • Scores from ACT, SAT and/or the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) 
    Accuplacer assessment
  • High school GPA for students who have graduated from high school within the last 10 years. Transcripts can be emailed to admissions@mnwest.edu.

The Accuplacer test is used to assess the college readiness of incoming students in reading, English and math. The test is a multiple choice, untimed assessment offered at no cost to the student. Accuplacer assessments are given on each campus on a computer.

Please submit any previous placement test results along with high school and college transcripts and schedule a meeting with your Student Services Advisor about your testing options and results.

Preparing for Accuplacer

  • Free Accuplacer study app: access to Accuplacer practice materials anytime, anywhere.  The app includes sample questions and explanations for both correct and incorrect answers.
  • Adult Basic Education (ABE): Free Accuplacer preparation assistance is offered. Visit www.southwestabe.org or call 320-269-9297 for more information.
  • Test Prep Review

Test Day

  • Bring a picture ID and know your student ID, social security number and StarID.
  • The Accuplacer is on a computer.
  • You may not use calculators, dictionaries, notebooks or other papers of any kind. You can use scratch paper, which you will need to turn in upon completion of the test.
  • Results of computerized tests are available immediately. Your scores are confidential and will be used by Minnesota West for advising and placement purposes only. It might be necessary to re-test portions of the exam. If so, you do not need to re-take those portions which you scored at a college level.
  • Students who need accessibility and disability support must have ADA documentation and need to make prior arrangements with the Disability Services Coordinator.

Minnesota West students wishing to take the Accuplacer at a different location should contact laurel.christianson@mnwest.edu with the following information:

Name of the institution where you want to test:
First and Last Name:
Minnesota West Student ID (visible on top right corner in eServices):
Full date of birth (month/day/year):
Gender:
Email:
Phone:
Address:

Students testing for another college must follow the instructions below:

  • Request a Remote Test Voucher from the school you want to attend.
  • Once you have obtained this voucher, contact Minnesota West to schedule testing. Scheduling information will be included on the voucher you receive.
  • Bring your Remote Voucher to Minnesota West when you come to take the Accuplacer. The email containing the voucher must be either printed on paper or visible on your phone.
  • Testing for other colleges is not available without the voucher from the other institution.