What you need to know about the CPT and beyond…

WHAT is the College Placement Test (CPT)?  The CPT measures skills in RD, WR and MTH  These subjects are critical to college success  Your scores will determine what classes you take

WHY do you need to take the CPT?  Community colleges do not require:  a high school transcript,  ACT/SAT scores  a high school G.P.A.  We do require a College Placement Test  to place you in the appropriate level courses (RD, WR, MTH)

HOW does the CPT test work?  The CPT is a computer test -YOUR responses determine the difficulty level  When finished, you receive a copy of your scores  Your first term schedule is based on the results

Good to know:  You DO NOT have to take all 3 tests at once. But you must take them:  in order & within 2 weeks  Breaks are allowed  Plan on at least 2 hours for the whole test

Good to know:  A calculator and scratch piece of paper will be provided  You basically can’t bring anything in with you

The TEST MATH  Math on CPT has three parts.  Arithmetic  Elementary Algebra  College-Level Mathematics  For most students, we suggest focusing primarily on the Arithmetic questions. (If you can also do some of the Algebra questions, even better)

Arithmetic  The basics: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, percents, simple geometry and word problems  It is not very different from the old GED math exam

Arithmetic Examples:  1. ) 32 is 40 percent of what number?  A) 12.8  B) 128  C) 80  D) 800  2. ) The measures of two angles of a triangle are 35° and 45°. What is the measure of the third angle of the triangle?  A) 95°  B) 100°  C) 105°  D) 110°

Math: Elementary Algebra  This test ranges from simple algebra to some pretty advanced stuff  Do not worry if you cannot answer any algebra questions. The goal is to get you placed into beginning algebra (MTH 60)

Elementary Algebra Example:  1.)If A represents the number of apples purchased at 15 cents each, and B represents the number of bananas purchased at 10 cents each, which of the following represents the total value of the purchases in cents?  1.) A + B  2.) (A + B)  3.) 10A + 15B  4.) 15A + 10B

Elementary Algebra Example:  2.) What is the value of the expression 2x 2 + 3xy – 4y 2 when x = 2 and y = -4?  A) -80  B) 80  C) -32  D) 32

College-Level Mathematics  This part is crazy hard. If you have no idea how to do this stuff, don’t worry. Most of us don’t either…  Example: The sequence {a n } is defined by a o = 1 and a n+1 = 2a n + 2 for n = 0, 1, 2, … What is the value of a 3 ?  A) 8  B) 10  C) 16  D) 20  E) 22

Reading Comprehension  20 questions – 2 types  1) A text passage followed by a question based. Some are short, some are longggggggggg  2) Two sentences followed by a question about the relationship between these two sentences.

Reading Example #1  It is said that a smile is universally understood. And nothing triggers a smile more universally than a taste of sugar. Nearly everyone loves sugar. Infant studies indicate that humans are born with an innate love of sweets. Based on statistics, a lot of people in Great Britain must be smiling because on average, every man, woman, and child in that country consumes 95 pounds of sugar each year.  From this passage it seems safe to conclude that the English…  A) Do not know that too much sugar is unhealthy.  B) Eat desserts at every meal.  C) Are fonder of sweets than most people.  D) Have more cavities than any other people.

Reading Example #2  The Midwest is experiencing its worst drought in 15 years. Corn and soybean prices are expected to be very high this year.  What does the second sentence do?  A. It restates the idea found in the first.  B. It states an effect.  C. It gives an example.  D. It analyzes the statement made in the first.

Writing - Sentence Skills  There are 20 Sentence Skills (two types)  1) Sentence correction  2) Construction shift questions

Writing – Sentence Skills #1  Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. The first choice is the same as the original sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer.  To walk, biking, and driving are Pat’s favorite ways of getting around.  A) To walk, biking, and driving  B) Walking, biking, and driving  C) To walk, biking, and to drive  D) To walk, to bike, and also driving

Writing – Sentence Skills #2  Rewrite the sentence in your head following the directions given below. Keep in mind that your new sentence should be well written and should have essentially the same meaning as the original sentence.  It is easy to carry solid objects without spilling them, but the same cannot be said of liquids.  Rewrite, beginning with:  Unlike liquids, The next words will be:  A) It is easy to  B) We can easily  C) Solid objects can easily be  D) Solid objects are easy to be

If you are a non-native English speaker, you will be able to take a different test. This test will check your skills with grammar (nouns, pronouns, subject-verb agreement, adjectives, verbs, etc.)

ESL – Grammar Test Example:  Some day men and women ________________ to Mars.  A) Will travel  B) Will travels  C) Will traveling  D) Will traveled

On Test Day…  Relax  Get plenty of rest and eat properly before the test  Read all questions carefully  Pace yourself. Allow yourself plenty of time – you never need to rush  Take a break, if needed

After the Test – Understanding your scores CPT Score - ReadingCourse Placement ABE RD RD 115** 80 and upRD 117** ** Indicates “Proficiency” in reading

After the Test – Understanding your scores CPT Score - WritingCourse Placement ABE 31-49WR WR and upWR 101* WR 115* 94 and upWR 121* * Indicates “Proficiency” in writing

After the Test – Understanding your scores Math TESTScoreCourse Placement Arithmetic MTH 10 Arithmetic MTH 20* Arithmetic 58 and up MTH 60 Basic Algebra6-15MTH 60 Basic Algebra11-15Eligible for MTH 65 Basic Algebra16-23MTH 95 * Indicates “Proficiency”

After the test…  Register for classes!!!  Work with a Student Resource Specialist or Advisor to plan your schedule  Stephanie Haas - ABE/GED/ESL  Julie Vawser - ENL

Don’t forget!  You can retake any portion of the CPT twice a year  If your scores are old, take it again!!!  Save your financial aid Test out of basic reading, writing & math

More Resources  Free sample questions:   tice.htm tice.htm