2023-2024 College Catalog

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Assessment and Placement

The Drake State Assessment and Testing Center provides opportunities for students to meet their educational goals by offering assessments for course placement, program acceptance, and/or college admittance, as well as other exam services in an environment conducive to productive testing. The Testing Center is committed to creating a positive atmosphere where students feel comfortable and confident that they will receive services in a relaxed environment.  Testing is by appointment only, however, same day appointments are available. Please contact the Testing Center in building 500 room 517; 256-551-3116 or testing@drakestate.edu to schedule an appointment. 
  
The following exams are offered:   

  • Accuplacer WorkKeys 

  • GED  

  • Pearson Vue Exams   

  • MSSC   

  • On campus ACT (formerly Residual ACT)        

Placement Policy 

Drake State will administer the Accuplacer Placement Exam to all students entering the college who do not possess previous college credit or who cannot be placed by the first two screening levels (see below). 

What is the ACCUPLACER Placement Test? 

ACCUPLACER is a series of tests that evaluate students’ skills in reading, writing, and math to help college administrators place them in courses. t ACCUPLACER supports students ready to start earning credits toward their degree as well as those who need to develop their skills before taking college-level courses. ACCUPLACER scores let students know where they stand academically, which makes it easier for them to plan a successful path toward a college degree.   

Three level screening for placement:

  • Screening Level 1: The first level will determine placement via an ACT score that is not older than 5 years.  All screening will begin here.   

  • Screening Level 2: The second level of screening only takes place if a student does not meet eligibility under (Level 1).  Level 2 determines placement via a review of the high school GPA and English and math course grades if the applicant is within 5 years of high school graduation. 

  • Screening Level 3: The third level of screening will only be utilized when a student is not eligible under Level 1 and Level 2 screening.  Level 3 determines placement via Accuplacer scores   

English

  1. ACT English sub-score of 18 or above, or

  2. HS GPA of 2.75 or higher and A or B grade in English IV, or

  3. WritePlacer (Accuplacer) score of 5

  1. ACT English sub-score of 17, or

  2. HS GPA of 2.75 or higher AND grade of C in English IV, or

  3. WritePlacer (Accuplacer) score of 4, or

  1. WritePlacer (Accuplacer) score of 3 or below

Mathematics 

  • Math Placement based on ACT math sub-score of 20 or higher – See Math Placement Guidelines Chart

  • Placement into MTH 100 or MTH 110 with MTH 109 or MTH 112 with MTH 111

  1. ACT math sub-score of 18 or 19, or

  2. HS GPA of 2.75 or higher and A or B grade in Algebra II, or

  3. Accuplacer Next Generation Math (QAS) score of 253-266 for MTH 100

  4. Accuplacer Next Generation Math (QAS) score of 267-300 for MTH 110 or MTH 112

  1. ACT math sub-score of 17, or 

  2. HS GPA of 2.75 or higher and C in Algebra II, or

  3. Accuplacer Next Generation Math (QAS) score of 243-252

  1. Accuplacer Next Generation Math (QAS) score of 200-242