Do you have to take a placement test at the beginning of college?

Help Interpreting Accuplacer Student Report-University Placement Test?

• My son had to take a reading placement test (Accuplacer), and his score report looks like this: Score: 88.7 Percentile: 64 SEM: 8.27 I've figured out that the 88.7 is a raw score extrapolated from the test he took vs. an assumption of him taking a similar test of 120 questions. I've also figured out that the 64 percentile means that he scored better than 64% of students who've taken this test. My question is the SEM (Standard Error of Measure) -- What the heck does it mean? Is an 8.27 good? Horrible? Middle of the road? Will he need to take the test again before beginning his Freshman year of college? I don't want to pay for remedial reading classes. My son is really smart, he just doesn't do well on tests. He definately knows how to read and understand sentences. Help!

• Answer:

  The Multiple Choice Tests Some colleges provide students with a copy their Individual Score Report. If so, you will see several pieces of information for each test you completed. Total Right Score- The total right score shows how many of the questions you could expect to answer correctly if you took a test made up of 120 questions. Any test score is an estimate. SEM- The range tells you how accurate your score is. If you took the test a second time you could expect your new score to fall somewhere within the range shown. Percentile Rank- The percentile rank compares your score with the scores of typical students entering college who completed tests composed of similar questions. For example, a percentile rank of 70 means that your score is higher than those of 70 percent of the students who completed the test. Your report may also contain a list of the courses in which you may be placed. Your college will provide specific instructions about these course placements. The Essay Tests The score report screen will present your writing score, which will be from 1 to 6 (1 – 4 for WritePlacerÔ Texas). You will also see an explanation in writing of what your score means. Your report may also contain information about the English course in which you may be placed. Your college will provide specific instructions about this course placement. Questions About the Test If you have questions about a test item, you may write to: The College Board ACCUPLACER Test Development 45 Columbus Ave. New York, NY 10023 As Far as SEM: What is SEM? The standard error of measurement (SEM) is a statistical phenomenon and is unrelated to the accuracy of scoring. All test results, including scores on tests and quizzes designed by classroom teachers, are subject to the standard error of measurement. If a student were to take the same test repeatedly, with no change in his level of knowledge and preparation, it is possible that some of the resulting scores would be slightly higher or slightly lower than the score that precisely reflects the student’s actual level of knowledge and ability. The difference between a student’s actual score and his highest or lowest hypothetical score is known as the standard error of measurement. False Negative Because of the standard error of measurement, the potential exists that a small percentage of students may score lower than anticipated on a test, given their level of knowledge and preparation. Testing experts refer to this phenomenon as a “false negative.” False Positive Conversely, the possibility exists that a small percentage of students may score higher than otherwise would have been expected. Testing experts refer to this phenomenon as a “false positive.” Hope it helps it also depends on what state you took the test in as to how SEM is looked at if at all!! Bri