What the Scores Mean

Reading, Writing, and Math Tests

ACCUPLACER's Reading; Writing; Arithmetic; Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics; and Advanced Algebra and Functions tests each have a score range of 200–300, broken down into five score bands. 

• 200–236
• 237–249
• 250–262
• 263–275
• 276–300

Review the Skills Insight™ statement for each test to understand what the score bands mean. The Skills Insight statements describe what a student who gets a score within that band is likely to know and be able to do.

It's a good idea to go over the Skills Insight statements with students to make sure they understand what they need to know and demonstrate to get the score they want. For example, if a student's goal is to score in the 263–275 score band on the Writing test, the Writing test's Skills Insight statement for that score band can help them know what to focus on as they prepare for the test.

WritePlacer and ESL Tests

WritePlacer^® essays have a score range of 1–8. Essays receive a holistic score based on several aspects of writing and how clearly and effectively a student expresses their position. WritePlacer ESL scores range from 1–6. You can read about how we score ESL essays in the WritePlacer ESL guide.

The four ACCUPLACER ESL tests (Language Use, Listening, Reading, and Sentence Skills) each have a score range from 20–120. ESL tests measure English language learners' command of the English language.