Course Placement

Northland will determine course placement by:

• Scores from ACT, SAT and/or Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA)
• High school GPA for students who have graduated from high school within the last ten years. Without an official high school transcript, self-reported high school GPA may be submitted to admissions@northlandcollege.edu.
• Completion of college-level coursework from an accredited college or university
• Accuplacer assessment
• Guided self-placement with an academic advisor will be used for students who have earned a GED, graduated from high school more than ten years ago, or have no other means of course placement. Having your GED test results available during the meeting with an academic advisor is recommended.

See Northland’s Assessment for Course Placement Procedure (3340P) for more information.

Preparing for Accuplacer

Accuplacer is an adaptive, internet-based assessment. As you answer each individual question, the computer will provide another question best suited to your ability. Therefore, it is important to take as much time as needed to be confident in your answer. Calculators are provided by the assessment and allowed on select questions, but students are not allowed to bring their own calculators.

Northland uses the following modules: Reading (R), Advanced Algebra and Functions (AAF), Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS), and Arithmetic (ARTH).

The free online Accuplacer study app gives you access to Accuplacer practice materials anytime, anywhere. You may also click on the links below to print a paper copy of the Accuplacer.

• Accuplacer – Reading Sample Questions
• Accuplacer – Advanced Algebra and Functions Sample Questions
• Accuplacer – Quantitative Reasoning Sample Questions
• Accuplacer – Arithmetic Sample Questions
• Ed Ready Math
• Adult Basic Education (ABE) offers face-to-face assistance for individuals aged 17 or older who are not currently enrolled in high school. ABE is conveniently located on the EGF and TRF campuses near the Academic Success Center.

Minimum ACT/SAT/MCA Scores

ACT, SAT, and MCA test scores are valid for a limited time of five (5) calendar years, inclusive of the current calendar year.

Accuplacer Expiration Period

What to Expect on Test Day

Arrive to campus early with a current, official government-issued photo ID. Students will not be allowed to test if they do not have a physical, valid copy of their ID in hand, due to Accuplacer requirements.

Acceptable forms of photo identification with current name.

• Current (unexpired) driver’s license
• State-approved ID
• Current passport
• Naturalization card or certificate of citizenship
• Current state or federal ID (military)
• Current other state-issued driver’s license/ID card
• Middle school/high school/college photo ID
• Tribal ID

Check-in at Student Services (the front desk area) to be directed to the testing area.

The average time to complete the test is 2-2.5 hours.

After completing the assessment, you can meet with an academic advisor to register for classes. After registering for classes, a student ID card can be issued.

Attempts