Course Placement

Northland uses ACT, SAT, Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA), and/or high school GPA, or previous college coursework to determine course placement. If placement can’t be determined using these measures, an Accuplacer assessment is needed.

Please review the order in which Northland determines course placement:

1. Scores from ACT, SAT, and/or MCA.
2. 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.
3. Completion of college-level coursework from an accredited college or university.
4. Accuplacer assessment
5. Guided self-placement

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

Guided Self-placement

For students who have earned a GED, graduated from high school more than ten years ago, or have no other means of course placement, guided self-placement with an academic advisor will be used. It is recommended that you have your GED test results available during the meeting with an academic advisor.

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 on campus early with a current, official government-issued photo ID. Due to Accuplacer requirements, students will not be allowed to test without a physical, valid copy of their ID in hand.

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