University Assessment & Testing

Reading Placement Exam Information

OSU uses the College Board's ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Reading test for the OSU Reading Placement Exam.  ACCUPLACER's Next-Generation Reading test is a broad-spectrum computer-adaptive assessment of test taker's developed ability to derive meaning from a range of prose texts and to determine the meaning of words and phrases in short and extended contexts.  Passages on the test cover a range of content areas (including literature and literary nonfiction, careers/history/social studies, humanities, and science), writing modes (informative/explanatory, argument, and narrative), and complexities (relatively easy to very challenging).  Both single and paired passages are included.  The test pool includes both authentic texts (previously published passages excerpted or minimally adapted from their published form) and commissioned texts (written specifically for the test).  Questions are multiple choice in format and are either discrete (standalone) or part of sets built around a common passage or passages.  The test is untimed, though most students complete the exam within an hour.  Students are not allowed access to any additional materials, websites, or other unapproved aids when taking the exam.  At OSU, this exam is used for reading placement and reading remediation. 

Maximum Number of Exam Attempts

Students are permitted two attempts at the OSU Reading Placement Exam.  Additional attempts beyond two require approval from the Director of University Assessment and Testing.

Exam Retakes and Preparation

Students must wait a minimum of 24 hours between exam attempts. Students wishing to improve their scores and reading skills are encouraged to use the free ACCUPLACER Official Web-Based Study App.

Exam Administration

Students who need to take the OSU Reading Placement Exam must schedule an appointment at the OSU Testing Center in Stillwater or the OSU-Tulsa Testing Center in Tulsa in order for their scores to be valid for remediation and placement purposes.

Exam Score for Remediation

The ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Reading test has a score range of 200 - 300.  Students must score a 263 or greater to satisfy a reading remediation requirement at OSU.  Visit the Reading Placement page for additional information.

Cost

The cost of the OSU Reading Placement Exam is covered through student assessment fees.

Accessibility for Students with Disabilities

There are no audio elements in the OSU Reading Placement Exam, and the exam is untimed. Screen reader technology is available within the ACCUPLACER platform. Use of the mouse is required, and it is not possible to print out the exam in advance due to the computer-adaptive nature of the exam. A human assistant is permitted for students needing assistance using the mouse.  For additional questions please contact Student Accessibility Services.

Additional Information

More information on the ACCUPLACER system is available on the ACCUPLACER website.

OSU adopted the College Board's ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Reading test for the OSU Reading Placement Exam in September 2018 as a replacement for the previously-used (and since retired) ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension test.  Students who took the OSU Reading Placement Exam between September 2015 and September 2018 had to earn a score of 80 on the Reading Comprehension test to remove reading remediation.