Testing Available

Need to take your placement assessment? Click here to see your placement assessment options. Additional information can be found in the ACCUPLACER and/or ALEKS Assessment information below.

Tests taken for other institutions or outside agencies may have specific testing rules that are determined by the respective testing organizations. These institutions may also have additional requirements before reasonable accommodations will be approved and these accommodations will need to be made through such outside organizations. Iowa Central will follow rules outlined by such agencies. Exam accommodations for Iowa Central exams can be arranged by following the College’s process: www.iowacentral.edu/accommodations

Tests Available

All exams listed are offered at the Fort Dodge Testing Center.
*Offered at the Storm Lake Testing Center by appointment only.
**Offered at the Webster City Testing Center by appointment only.

Accommodated */**

The Iowa Central Testing Center coordinates the administration of classroom tests for students with disabilities. Students must be registered and approved with Iowa Central's Accommodations Office to receive and take accommodated exams.

Click here for information on requesting accommodations.

Things You Should Know About Taking Accommodated Tests

• A photo ID must be provided (student ID, driver’s license, or passport).
• Students should take their accommodated test during their scheduled class time.
• To schedule an accommodated test, click here.

• If they have back-to-back class times, a make-up time can be arranged.
• Students with accommodations for a reader and/or private testing room must schedule an appointment at least two business days in advance with the appropriate Testing Center (Fort Dodge, Storm Lake, or Webster City).
• The only finals given in the Testing Center are accommodated tests.
• *Please click here for the complete Testing Center Policy for Examinees.

ACCUPLACER® */**

Before enrolling in courses at Iowa Central, be sure to speak with an Academic Advisor about any placement exams that may need to be taken for placement in reading, writing, and math classes. Placement exams that may need to be taken will be based on the academic interest area of the student. If a student is required to take a placement test(s), Iowa Central accepts ALEKS, ACT, ACCUPLACER, and/or SAT scores (within the last 3 years) so it can guide students to appropriate coursework and to eventual academic success.

Need to take your placement assessment from home? Click to view the instructions.

Need to take your placement assessment off-site with a proctor? Click to view the Online Proctor Request form

ACCUPLACER® Assessment

The ACCUPLACER® Assessments are Iowa Central’s reading and writing (English) placement assessments.

The computerized ACCUPLACER® Next-Generation Reading is an untimed test comprised of 20 questions and measures your ability to understand what you read, to identify main ideas, and to make inferences. You need to distinguish between direct statements and secondary or supporting ideas.

The computerized ACCUPLACER® WritePlacer® assessment is 60-minutes in length and will require an examinee to compose a 300-600 word, typed essay. The WritePlacer® test measures your ability to write effectively, which is critical to academic success. Your writing sample will be scored on the basis of how effectively it communicates a whole message to the readers for the stated purpose. Your score is based on your ability to express, organize and support your opinions and ideas, not the position you take on the essay topic. The following characteristics of writing will be considered:

Purpose and Focus - The extent to which the writer presents information in a unified and coherent manner, clearly addressing the issue.

Organization and Structure - The extent to which the writer orders and connects ideas.

Development and Support - The extent to which the writer develops and supports ideas.

Sentence Variety and Style - The extent to which the writer crafts sentences and paragraphs demonstrating control of vocabulary, voice, and structure.

Mechanical Conventions - The extent to which the writer expresses ideas using standard English.

Critical Thinking - The extent to which the writer communicates a point of view and demonstrates reasoned relationships among ideas.

A holistic score will be given at the completion of the essay.

Study materials for the ACCUPLACER® Next-Generation Reading can be accessed from your computer, tablet or smartphone on the free ACCUPLACER® Study App. Study materials for the ACCUPLACER® WritePlacer® can be found here: www.iowacentral.edu/writeplacerprep

Things You Should Know About Taking Assessments

• The ACCUPLACER® Assessments are given on a drop-in basis at the Fort Dodge Center and by appointment at the Storm Lake and Webster City Centers.
• A valid photo ID must be provided (student ID, driver’s license, or passport).
• ACCUPLACER placement scores are valid for 3 years from the start of the course you are placed in.
• The placement assessments can only be given once per day; you must wait 24 hours before reassessing.
• No student will be allowed to begin an assessment if the full allotted time is not available.
• Students who are trying to reassess for the ACCUPLACER® exam are charged $10 per section retake.
• A $25 fee is charged to students who wish to have their placement scores sent to another institution. Click here to fill out your Placement Test Score Request Form
• After you complete the ACCUPLACER® Assessment, we will interpret your scores for placement into specific Iowa Central courses. See the Mandatory Placement Chart

ACCUPLACER® Assessments

• Students may take the ACCUPLACER® Assessment as many times as they would like, but only once per day.

*Please click here for the complete Testing Center Policy for Examinees

At The Other Campuses, Call Ahead For Times/Appointments

• Storm Lake 515-574-1071
• Webster City 515-832-1632