Testing is available at Mat-Su College with a UAA ID in these formats:
Click any of these headings below for details about the exam.
The ACCUPLACER Placement Test is an online exam with two multiple choice sections: Reading and Writing.
Writing scores do not expire, so scores that are several years old might be included in score systems not listed here. The Learning Resource Center (907-745-9713) or Student Services (907-745-9746) can provide details about other score ranges. Students should talk to the advisors in Student Services if they have any of the following scores from SAT or ACT tests.
To look up scores from previous test sessions, go to https://www.accuplacer.org/ and select (Student Portal) Information for Students. Select Your ACCUPLACER Score Report and enter your student ID number, name, and date of birth. Then select the location and name of the testing center that administered your test. Your score report link will be emailed to the address you entered during the test session. If you wish to send your scores to another institution, click the Share Score Report button in the emailed link and choose from the dropdown box.
Go to https://www2.registerblast.com/matsu/Exam/List to make an appointment to take the ACCUPLACER test. Prospective students taking placement tests for schools or colleges other than the University of Alaska, should contact their schools to arrange for a remote placement test at MSC.
Please note that children may not be in the tutoring or testing rooms and may not be left unattended anywhere on campus.
Click any of these headings for specifics about ACCUPLACER.
ACCUPLACER is an online test consisting of two multiple choice assessments: Reading and Writing. The tests may be taken at the same time for one fee.
ACCUPLACER scores which place students into English courses do not expire. However, if the scores are older than two years, students may want to retest in order to have a current assessment of their knowledge and skills.
ACCUPLACER exams measure competency in reading and writing skills and enable an academic advisor to determine a student's appropriate entry level of instruction. Students registering for English courses for the first time must take the ACCUPLACER test for placement in appropriate courses unless they meet one of the exceptions listed below. Placement may also be required prior to enrollment in certain other courses and programs.
Exceptions:Transcripts from prior institutions and test score reports must be submitted to Student Services and evaluated prior to course placement.
Accuplacer tests are proctored in the in the Learning Resource Center. Please make an appointments through the online scheduler (click the calendar below). Examinees should note that the scheduler requires 24 hours between registering and taking the test. The Learning Resource Center is available during office hours to answer questions about scheduling (907-745-9713).
Make an Appointment
A fee of $21 is charged for each testing session, payable when the appointment is made.
Mat-Su Middle College High School student applicants will be issued vouchers to cover the cost of testing.
Accuplacer tests are proctored in the in the Learning Resource Center. Please make an appointments through the online scheduler (click the calendar below). Examinees should note that the scheduler requires 24 hours between registering and taking the test. The Learning Resource Center is available during office hours to answer questions about scheduling (907-745-9713). Make an Appointment
Personal belongings are not allowed within reach of the test area, except for clean scratch paper with student ID number and contact information.
Yes, MSC is a remote testing site for ACCUPLACER and can administer a placement test for other colleges and organizations in or outside of Alaska. Examinees should contact the testing center at the other school or organization and arrange for a remote test at the Mat-Su College LRC. Other schools will likely request the following contact information for the Learning Resource Center: Becky Contreras, Manager 8295 E College Dr Palmer, Alaska 99645 907-745-9713 matsutesting@alaska.edu
Yes, testers may retest one time after a minimum wait of 2 days (48 hours). This should be done before the add/drop deadline of the enrollment semester. The ACCUPLACER test may be taken twice per semester. The test fee must be paid each time the ACCUPLACER test is taken. Placement will be determined using the higher scores. Before retaking the test, examinees may want to review some of the practice questions on the ACCUPLACER website or visit the tutorial websites listed below in the section entitled "How can I prepare for the test?" Students testing under Ability to Benefit are required by federal guidelines to wait a minimum of two weeks before retesting.
ALEKS helps determine your level of skill in math and which courses are the most appropriate for your enrollment.
Test candidates may take the ALEKS test at home by following these steps:Tests may also be taken at the MatSu College testing center.
Fees: No fees are required for UAA prospective students
Retests: The initial test sets up a unique learning path for each individual. Anyone wishing to retest will be directed to personalized learning modules which target areas needing improvement. After the set of training modules are completed, the placement test becomes available again. The ALEKS test may be retaken four times after the initial test.
If trying to retest after a year (tests and scores expire after a year), test takers should email uaa_testingcenter@alaska.edu and ask to have their expired accounts unlocked. They should include the following information in the email:
Disability Accommodations:
ALEKS tests are timed to shut off after three hours. If you need extended time or other accommodations, contact the Disability Services office at uaa_dss@alaska.edu .
Practice Tests and Study Helps: ALEKS provides practice modules after each test attempt. The following sites may also be helpful in preparing:
Scores: Each score is associated with a specific course and shows which course a student can register for. Scores expire after one year.
| Course | ALEKS Scores | ||||
| Pre-algebra | MATH A054 # | 0-16 | |||
| Essential Mathematics | MATH A060 # | 0-16 | |||
| Elementary Algebra | MATH A055 # | 17-29 | |||
| Intermediate Algebra | MATH A105 ~ | 30-54 | |||
| College Algebra for Managerial and Social Sciences | MATH A121 ^ | 55-77 | |||
| College Algebra for Calculus | MATH A151 ^ | 55-77 | |||
| Pre-calculus | MATH A155 ^ | 55-77 | |||
| Elementary Statistics | STAT A252 ^ | 55-100 | |||
| Trigonometry | MATH A152 ^ | 65-77 | |||
| Applied Statistics for the Sciences | STAT A253 ^ | 65-100 | |||
| Applied Calculus for Managerial and Social Sciences | MATH A221 ^ | 78-100 | |||
| Calculus I | MATH A251 ^ | 78-100 | |||
| Note: Math placement scores are valid for one year. SAT and ACT scores are not accepted for placement purposes. # Credits earned cannot apply to degree; eligible for Financial Aid. ~ Fulfills Math requirement for some associate degrees or can be used as elective. ^ General Education Requirements (GER) | |||||
The College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) provides students of any age with the opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement through a program of exams in undergraduate college courses. In order to have scores sent to UAA or MSC, students should talk with academic advisors to make sure the university accepts the desired exam score and the exam is appropriate for students’ degree programs. Look up the list of CLEP exams accepted at UAA/MSC. Visit the CLEP website for more information. All examinees must create an account at the CLEP website in order to pay the CLEP test fee and register for exams. The registration will generate a ticket ID which will be required to access the computer exam on the test day. An additional proctoring fee of $33 is charged by MSC and is payable through the appointment scheduler or in Campus Cache (JKB 109). Examinees also need to make an appointment through the Mat-Su College test scheduler and should note that the appointment scheduler requires 24 hours between registering and taking the test. The CLEP site code for the Mat-Su College testing center is 4509. On the test day, the proctor will ask to see a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport). For more information, call (907) 745-9713 or email matsutesting@alaska.edu. Please note that children may not be in the tutoring or testing rooms and may not be left unattended anywhere on campus.
Make an Appointment
Please note that children may not be in the tutoring or testing rooms and may not be left unattended anywhere on campus.
If you need to take a make-up test or retest, you may make an appointment to take it in person in the testing center. When making appointments, test candidates should note that the Mat-Su College test scheduler requires 24 hours between registering and taking the test. The testing center has a private room (Room D) available by appointment for students with disability accommodations or those who need private space to take a test from an online proctor such as RPNow. On test day, each test candidate is required to show a photo ID to the proctor prior to testing. Lockers are available for storing personal belongings during testing sessions. The college library offers alternatives for testing: students may borrow laptops from the library and/or reserve private rooms for test sessions. Call 907-745-9740 for more information. Please note that children may not be in the tutoring or testing rooms and may not be left unattended anywhere on campus. (The appointment program requires at least 24 hours between registering and taking the test.) Make an Appointment
Seating is available in the MSC testing center for test candidates from other universities, schools, and organizations. In order for the testing center to receive tests, test candidates must arrange for their distance education departments, professors, or organizations to send tests to the LRC. Some distance education programs require students to submit a proctor form online. These forms should be submitted to the distance education program early in the semester to allow timely processing of tests. The following information may be required by the test originator: Becky Contreras Mat-Su College Learning Resource Center 8295 E College Dr, Palmer, Alaska 99645 Phone: (907) 745-9713 Email: matsutesting@alaska.edu On test day, each test candidate is required to show a photo ID to the proctor prior to testing. Lockers are available for storing personal belongings during testing sessions. Proctor fees are charged for tests originating outside the University of Alaska. When making appointments, test candidates should note that the Mat-Su College test scheduler requires 24 hours between registering and taking the test. Please note that children may not be in the tutoring or testing rooms and may not be left unattended anywhere on campus.
Make an Appointment
The Praxis Core exam measures basic skills in reading, writing and math and Specific Content Area tests required for teacher certification. Refer to the Praxis website has information about registration and selecting a test site.
Mat-Su College is an Authorized Pearson VUE testing center and offers testing for a variety of Pearson VUE clients including Alaska Insurance, Alaska Real Estate, Cisco Systems, CompTia, GED, and many others. Test takers must register, schedule a test date, and pay on the PearsonVUE website. Please note that children may not be in the tutoring or testing rooms and may not be left unattended anywhere on campus.
If you have been referred for a writing sample, details for submission can be found here.
The writing sample asks you to write a few paragraphs summarizing and responding to a complex reading that is typical of the readings students are assigned in our entry-level writing courses. Read this passage carefully using active reading strategies you've already learned such as identifying main points. Also pay close attention to the writing prompt. Answer everything that it asks of you and consider using the prompt as a tool for organizing your work. As you write, summarize the reading thoroughly, noting its main ideas and key details. Then, in your response, show your own original thinking in the way you interact with the reading. Before you finish, proofread your work with care. A panel of professors will read your writing sample and discuss which of our courses will be a good match for you. They will assess your writing holistically with an emphasis on reading comprehension, idea development, organization, sense of audience, language conventions, and how you interact with the source material. Don't stress over your writing sample, but do be sure that it represents your best work. Keep in mind that this isn't an exam, but a way of showing your professors your strengths as a reader, writer, and critical thinker so they can help you find the best place to begin your writing studies at UAA.