Information & Resources

The English Composition placement exam requires students to write an essay that addresses an issue or a problem. Students have 1.5 hours (90 minutes) to plan, write, and proofread a 300-600 word essay on a given topic. Student essays are graded holistically based on the following six characteristics:

• Purpose and Focus – The extent to which you present information in a unified and coherent manner, clearly addressing the issue.
• Organization and Structure – The extent to which you order and connect ideas.
• Development and Support – The extent to which you develop and support ideas.
• Sentence Variety and Style – The extent to which you craft sentences and paragraphs demonstrating control of vocabulary, voice, and structure.
• Mechanical Conventions – The extent to which you express ideas using Standard Written English (grammar, spelling, etc.).
• Critical Thinking – The extent to which you communicate a point of view and demonstrate reasoned relationships among ideas.

To view sample Accuplacer English Composition student essays and a detailed description of the grading criteria click here.

Based on the results of the English Composition placement exam and students’ previous college-level coursework in English Composition, students are placed into a first-semester English Composition course (either ENG 1230 or ENG 1270) or a second-semester English Composition course (either ENG 1240 or ENG 1280).

The Mathematics placement exam is a multiple-choice test with the goal of evaluating proficiency in mathematical procedures and problem-solving that are necessary for college-level math courses. Students take different math placement exams based on the general education math course that is required for their major program, either Math 1200, College Algebra (or higher) or Data Science math. Students can talk with their advisor about which math course is required for their major program. To view sample questions for the math placement exam used for majors that require College Algebra, click here. To view sample questions for the math placement exam used for majors that require Data Science math, click here. 

The Reading placement exam is only required for undergraduate students who began their enrollment at Chicago State prior to the Fall 2019 semester. It is a multiple-choice test with the goal of evaluating reading comprehension. To view sample Accuplacer Reading test questions, click here. Based on the results of the Reading placement exam, students are either placed into Reading 1500 or students are informed they are exempt from the Reading requirement.

The American College Test (ACT) is a national college entrance exam that consists of multiple-choice tests in English, mathematics, reading, and science. Undergraduate students are required to take either the ACT or SAT and submit their scores directly to Chicago State University in order to apply for admission. Visit the ACT website  for more information about the test, including test dates, locations, and registration.

Chicago State’s College of Education has its own Pearson VUE-Authorized Test Center, located in the College of Education Building, Room 208. The CSU Pearson Vue Testing Center administers the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) and Illinois Content Area Exams required to become a licensed elementary, middle school, or high school teacher in Illinois. Please call the CSU Pearson Vue Testing Center at (773) 995-2598 for more information or visit the Illinois Licensure Testing System  website.

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a national standardized exam used for admission to many graduate business schools that consist of sections in verbal reasoning, analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, and integrated reasoning. Visit the GMAT website for more information about the tests, including test dates, locations, and registration.

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test is a national graduate school entrance exam that consists of sections in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. There are also GRE Subject Tests that assess students’ knowledge of a particular field of study. GRE tests are used by many graduate programs for admission and fellowship requirement. Visit the GRE website for more information about the tests, including test dates, locations, and registration.

The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is a national standardized exam required for admission to many law schools that consists of sections in reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning. Visit the LSAT website  for more information about the tests, including test dates, locations, and registration.

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is a national standardized exam required for admission to most medical schools. Chicago State’s Prehealth Professions Programs  provides students interested in applying to medical school and other health professions schools with extensive information and preparation. Students can also visit the MCAT website for more information on the exam and the medical school application process.

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a national college entrance exam that consists of multiple-choice tests in reading, writing and language, and math. . Undergraduate students are required to take either the ACT or SAT and submit their scores directly to Chicago State University in order to apply for admission. Visit the SAT website for more information about the test, including test dates, locations, and registration.