Course Placement Testing

Your cost depends on which course placement exam(s) you take (Reading, Writing, or Math). This can vary depending on what your program or apprenticeship requires. If you do not take all three exams, your overall cost will be lower.

Fees are charged when you register for a course placement session. Payment is by credit or debit card.

If you cancel your exam registration, reach out to us 24 hours before your exam date/time to inquire about rescheduling and refund information. Formal refund request should be done through Test Fee Refund Request form.

If you have any questions regarding costs, please let us know. 

Preparing for the exam affects your course placement, which could result in saving you time and money!

A number of study resources are available on the CollegeBoard website. The CollegeBoard writes the exam, so let them help you study for each subject. During the exam, helpful tools are available for your use. Check out ACCUPLACER's short videos explaining their Calculator, Highlighter, and Accessibility Wizard tools. 

Our Student Achievement Center offers in-person study skills help and is available at Truax and South campuses. You must have a Madison College student account to receive tutoring services.

The Madison College library provides study resources including Brainfuse online tutoring, SkillSurfer, LearningExpress library and Khan Academy to help you prepare for the placement test. They have also compiled the following resources:

• Online Tutoring: About Online Tutoring
• Study Skills Help
• Reading Comprehension Help
• Writing and Grammar Help
• Math Help

You have several options for meeting course placement requirements besides Accuplacer. 

1. Submit ACT scores from test(s) taken in the last 5 years
   • If you haven't already done so, you can go to ACT.org and have your scores sent to Madison College.
   • Please note that ACT scores more than 2 years old will require review before being able to enroll.
      
2. Submit your U.S. high school transcript with final GPA that is less than 5 years old
   • We strongly encourage you to submit your transcripts to our Admissions Team for evaluation before taking a placement test.
      
3. Submit GED scores with a score of 165 on the Reasoning Through Language Arts section. (This will waive the Reading and Writing sections of the ACCUPLACER.)
   • Scores must be less than two years old.
      
4. Provide prior U.S. college credit fulfilling the desired course prerequisites.
   • Submit official transcript to Madison College Enrollment Services, 1701 Wright Street, Madison, WI 53704-2599
      
5. Submit ACCUPLACER scores less than five years old from another college.
   • Official Score Reports need to be submitted by the initial testing center to Madison College Testing Center, 1701 Wright Street, Madison, WI 53704
      
6. Submit previously completed CLEP Exam scores (or take this exam instead of Accuplacer)
   • Scores must be less than 5 years old. PLEASE VERIFY

What if I cannot travel to Madison College to take the exam?
For information about additional testing center options, please review the options in our registration tool. Be aware that alternate Test Center fees may apply.

Am I eligible to have my test fee waived?
For financial hardship cases, you can submit a course placement fee waiver request.

What if I am taking the course placement test for another college?
Please notify the test proctor prior to beginning your first exam.

Can I take the test again?
Retests are allowed only once within two years. Subsequent retests must be approved by an academic advisor. You are charged standard testing fees for retests.

How do I request a copy of my course placement scores?
If you need your test scores sent to another institution, complete the Test Score Request form.

How do I submit test scores from another institution?
Test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency or external institution or delivered in a sealed envelope to Madison College to be considered official.

Madison College does not accept faxes, emailed, scanned, advising copies, campus use only, web produced transcripts or copies of student score reports or scores listed on high school transcripts.

Test scores submitted to Madison College become the property of the college and cannot be returned to you. They are electronically imaged and kept on file for three years.

• All testing policies found here apply to this test.
• You must have a Madison College student ID number. Create your Madison College student ID number if you do not have one.
• No shows and late arrivals will still be charged full testing fees and may not be eligible for refunds.
• Cancelations or reschedules may be made using your My History link up to two hours before the exam start. After this time frame, seek assistance from the Testing Center.
• If you cancel your registration, contact us within 24 hours to inquire about rescheduling/refund possibilities. Formal refund requests should be done through the refund request form.