For the 2024 and 2025 terms, students can choose to apply for admission test-optional. If a student is admitted without an ACT/SAT they may be required to take both the English and Math placement tests. If a student is unsure or is expecting AP or transfer credit to be applied, they should contact their academic advisor before scheduling a placement test.

New students, including transfers with fewer than 65 transferable degree credits, are eligible to complete placement testing for mathematics and English.

Students are not eligible for placement testing after beginning any math or English course.

Scores on the placement tests determine the courses in which a student should enroll. A fee is charged for each placement test given. See FAQs for information about scheduling a time to take a placement test.

A student whose entrance exam scores require enrollment in one more developmental courses may choose to take one or both placement tests to determine whether they can be placed into a higher course. Students whose scores do not require enrollment in developmental courses may be required to take a math placement test, depending on the math requirements for their chosen major.

Mathematics

Math placement tests can be taken twice and are untimed, but generally take 60-75 minutes to complete. Study tips and sample questions can be accessed on the ACCUPLACER website.

Scores are available upon completion of the test. Scores on the placement tests determine the courses in which a student should enroll. A $40 fee is charged for each placement test taken remotely online and $15 for placement tests taken on-campus. See FAQs for information about scheduling a time to take a placement test.

Math Placement
Students who scored below 20 on their ACT Math, below 500 on SAT Math (prior to March 1, 2016), or below 530 on SAT Math (after March 1, 2016) have the option of taking the Math Placement test to improve course placement or to eliminate a math course that would not earn required credit.

Advanced Math Placement
Regardless of ACT/SAT scores, students majoring in math, a science, engineering or computer science, or pursuing a pre-health concentration (except nursing) will take the Advanced Math Placement test. It is used for placement into MATH109- Pre-calculus I, MATH124- Pre-calculus II, or MATH185- Calculus. Students who earned credit for MATH185 from AP or CLEP do not need to take a math placement test.

Students are not eligible for placement testing after beginning any math or English course. Students who want to take either of the Math Placement tests at a location other than ACU should contact the Testing Office acutesting@acu.edu for instructions.

English
Students’ scores and previous experience will help determine their first English course and the placement test they are eligible to take, if any. Please see the chart for more details.

English placement tests must be completed before the student’s first semester begins. Students are not eligible for placement testing after beginning any Math or English course. Scores are available upon completion of the test. A $40 fee is charged for each placement test taken remotely online and $15 for placement tests taken on-campus.

Students may not earn credit for ENGL 112 without previously earning or being granted credit for ENGL 111.

In addition to the electronic English placement exam, some new students qualify to take one of the two exams listed below. See the chart for more details.

ACU English Essay Exam (for new students only)
The ACU English Essay Examination is a two-hour exam (dictionary use permitted) offered during Wildcat Week before the beginning of the fall semester. The cost for this test is $25. If credit is earned, there is a $50 fee per course to post the credit to the student’s transcript.

ACU Researched Writing Exam (for new students only)
Students will receive a reading packet several weeks before the exam and come for a two-hour exam during Wildcat Week before the beginning of the fall semester. Students will use information from the casebook sources to write a 600- to 750-word essay that responds to one of three prompts. Students will receive the prompts at the beginning of the exam. Students may bring a dictionary and grammar handbook. The cost for this test is $25. If credit is earned, there is a $50 fee per course to post the credit to the student’s transcript.