APPLICANT & STUDENT EXAMS
- ACCUPLACER/Math Placement
- ACT
- Chemistry Placement
- COMPASS
- Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE)
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
- Graduate Records Exam (GRE)
- History & Constitution
- Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
- Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
- Praxis
- Regent's Test
- SAT
- Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- World Languages Emmersion Exams
ACCUPLACER/Math Placement
ACCUPLACER is a testing platform as well as a series of examinations on writing, mathematics and reading. The ACCUPLACER examinations include texts and tasks students will likely encounter in first-year college courses, and the math content is more aligned to state college and career readiness standards.
Georgia State University uses ACCUPLACER for admissions and placement testing. The test has also been approved for use by the Math department for placement in certain mathematics courses, including College Algebra, Precalculus and Calculus.
ACCUPLACER is used for different purposes by the institution. To avoid test day surprises, please make sure you register for the correct exam for your purpose.
If you are not testing for Georgia State University, please see our information about taking the ACCUPLACER as a proctored exam for your organization or institution.
GSU Admissions Testing
- for admissions and placement testing for non-traditional applicants to four-year programs
- for admissions and placement testing for any applicant to two-year Programs
Learning Support Coursework Testing
- to exempt taking ENGL 0999 (Support for ENGL 1101)
- to exempt taking MATH 0997 (Support for MATH 1001)
- to exempt taking MATH 0996 (Support for MATH 1401)
Program Specific Testing
- for admissions to specific programs, like the Radiological Technology program.
MATH PLACEMENT Testing
- to exempt taking MATH 0999 to place students directly into College Algebra (MATH 1111)
- to place directly into College Trigonometry (MATH 1112), Precalculus (MATH 1113), Survey of Calculus (MATH 1220), Calculus for the Life Sciences I (MATH 2201), Calculus of One Variable I (MATH 2211), Discrete Mathematics (MATH 2420)
More information on Admissions Testing
You should be able to see if you need Admissions Testing at your GSU’s check my status page. If you have questions about whether you need to take the Placement Test or which test you may need to take, please contact Admissions at 404-413-2500 for assistance.
ACCUPLACER assessments include reading, writing and mathematics.
- ACCUPLACER WritePlacer Essay
- ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics (previously ACCUPLACER Elementary Algebra)
- Students with a high enough score on the above test will also be given the ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Advanced Algebra and Functions exam. This exam cannot be taken directly and must be launched through achievement on the Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics exam
- ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Reading (previously ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension)
When registering for an appointment for this purpose, pick "ACCUPLACER for GSU - Admissions"
More information on Exempting Learning Support Coursework
If you have tested or been placed into Learning Support courses (support courses ENGL 0999, MATH 0997 or MATH 0998) you may take the ACCUPLACER exam to exempt the learning support requirement. MATH 0999 is not considered a Learning Support course, and students trying to exempt placement into MATH 0999 or test into higher mathematics, should take the Math Placement exam. Students will request which exam or exams they wish to take to exempt Learning Support Placement, ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Reading and/or ACCUPLACER WritePlacer for English, ACCUPLACER Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics for Math or all three for both areas.
It is possible to exempt Learning Support coursework with other scores or transfer credit; refer to Advisement's Learning Support program (LSP) information for more details.
When registering for an appointment for this purpose, pick "ACCUPLACER for GSU - Other"
More information on Program Specific ACCUPLACER testing
Some programs have specific requirements for students regarding skill levels in English and mathematics. These students may be asked to take (or retake) one or more of the ACCUPLACER exams if they did not previously meet the required score for program admissions. Students will designate which exam or exams they are needing to take for their program from ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Reading, ACCUPLACER WritePlacer or ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics.
When registering for an appointment for this purpose, pick "ACCUPLACER for GSU - Other"
More information on Math Placement
The Math Placement exam is used by the department to demonstrate the ability to take higher level mathematics courses. No course credit is earned with this exam, it simply allows students to start in the math courses the examinee is eligible for as determined by the test score. It is recommended that the math placement test be taken before attending New Student Orientation. There is no fee to take the test the first time.
Students who must take MATH 1001 & MATH 0997 or MATH 1401 & MATH 0996 courses and want to test to exempt the co-requisite support courses are testing to exempt Learning Support mathematics and should retake the ACCUPLACER for Admissions exam, not Math Placement. There will be a fee assessed if ACCUPLACER is taken to exempt Learning Support, even if it is only for the mathematics area.
This test consists of the ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics exam, and if a high enough score is achieved, the ACCUPLACER Next Generation Advanced Algebra and Functions exam. The ACCUPLACER Next Generation Advanced Algebra and Functions exam cannot be taken individually and must be taken through achievement of a specific score on the Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics exam.
Students who require only Math 1001 for their major do not have to take the math placement test. To determine if a major requires the math placement test, contact the University Advisement Center at 404-413-2300 or contact the Mathematics and Statistics Department for questions regarding placement in math courses higher than MATH 1001.
When registering for an appointment for this purpose, pick "ACCUPLACER for GSU - Math Placement Exam"
About the Tests
ACCUPLACER exams will cover a series of topics. They are computer adaptive exams, with the exception of the WritePlacer exam, so they will start with a general mid-difficulty question pulled randomly from the subject areas, or topics, that the exam covers. Questions will then become harder or easier depending on the answers to the previous question. The WritePlacer exam will give a writing prompt and then grade the essay the examinee writes regarding the subject of that prompt.
ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Quantitative Reasoning includes these topics:
- Rational numbers
- Ratio and Proportional Relationships
- Exponents
- Algebraic Expressions
- Linear Equations
- Linear Applications and Graphs
- Probability Sets
- Descriptive Statistics
- Geometry Concepts
The ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Reading includes these topics:
- Information and Ideas
- Rhetoric
- Synthesis
- Vocabulary
The ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Advanced Algebra and Functions includes these topics:
- Linear Equations
- Linear Applications and Graphs
- Factoring
- Quadratics
- Functions
- Radical and Rational Equations
- Polynomial Equations
- Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
- Trigonometry
The WritePlacer exam will evaluate an examinee's essay writing skills.
View ACCUPLACER Preparation Resources
The links below are to sites that may help students with studying for the ACCUPLACER exam. These are provided as a courtesy to test takers. Many of these sites do not belong to Georgia State University, therefore Georgia State University is not responsible for their content.
The Testing Centers do not assist with preparation for any exam.
Currently the exams used by Georgia State University are ACCUPLACER Next Generation Reading, ACCUPLACER Next Generation Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics, ACCUPLACER Next Generation Advanced Algebra and Functions, and ACCUPLACER WritePlacer.
Preparation links are organized by the following category types:
ACCUPLACER resources from the College Board
ACCUPLACER Practice Questions and WritePlacer sample essays.
The College Board’s Web Based ACCUPLACER study app
All Areas
Khan Academy including Algebra Basics, Algebra I, and Algebra II
Georgia State University's Learning and Tutoring Center
English
University of Pittsburgh grammar review
Capital Community College Foundation Guide to Grammar and Writing
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Grammar Bytes
English Plus Grammar Slammer
Major Tests SAT Grammar
Reading
CUNY Assessment Test in reading
Reading and Writing
CENGAGE online writing and reading resources
Mathematics
Andrea Hendricks' Math 0987 and Math 0989 page for Georgia State University and her learning support mathematics videos
Purplemath
Cool Math
Math.com
ACCUPLACER English Score Table
Please note that placement is determined by a multitude of factors, including High School GPA, SAT/ACT scores, transfer credit or previous college coursework. These tables are provided for informational purposes, and your exact placement will be determined by all possible placement factors. Students should discuss placement with their advisor during Orientation or a one-on-one appointment. Advisement has more information about the Learrning Support (LSP) program of corequisite courses.
| WritePlacer | Reading | Course | |
| 4 - 8 | and | 237 - 300 | ENGL 1101 |
| 0 - 8 | and | 200 - 236 | ENGL 1101 + ENGL 0999 |
| 0 - 3 | and | 200 - 3 | ENGL 1101 + ENGL 0999 |
ACCUPLACER Math Score Table
Please note that placement is determined by a multitude of factors, including High School GPA, SAT/ACT scores, transfer credit or previous college coursework. These tables are provided for informational purposes, and your exact placement will be determined by all possible placement factors. Students should discuss placement with their advisor during Orientation or a one-on-one appointment. Advisement has more information about the Learrning Support (LSP) program of corequisite courses. The "Advanced Algebra and Functions" exam will not launch if a 278 or higher is not achieved on the "Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics" exam.
| ACCUPLACER Math score | Course Placement |
| Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics: 200 - 257 | MATH 1001 & MATH 0997 or MATH 1401 & MATH 0996 |
| Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics: 258 - 268 | MATH 1001 or MATH 1401 or MATH 1111 & MATH 0999 |
| Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics: 269 - 277 | MATH 1001 or MATH 1401 or MATH 1111 |
| Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics: 278 – 300 & Advanced Algebra and Functions: 200-249 | MATH 1001 or MATH 1401 or MATH 1111 |
| Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics: 278 – 300 & Advanced Algebra and Functions: 250-269 | MATH 1001, 1401, 1111, 1113, 1220* |
| Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics: 278 – 300 & Advanced Algebra and Functions: 270-300 | MATH 1001, 1401, 1111, 1113, 1220*, 2211, 2420 |
*MATH 1220 not taught at the 4-year level
ACCUPLACER minimum scores for admissions
Please note that admissions decisions are determined by a multitude of factors including, but not limited to, High School GPA, SAT/ACT scores, transfer credit or previous college coursework. This information is provided for informational purposes, and your admissions decision will be determined by all possible placement factors. Questions about admissions decisions or admissions status should be directed to admissions.
ACCUPLACER Admissions criteria:
If testing for admissions to GSU Perimeter College, a minimum WritePlacer score of 3, Reading score of 216 and Quantitative Reasoning Score of 212 is required.
If testing for admissions to a GSU 4-year program, a minimum WritePlacer score of 4, Reading score of 237 and Quantitative Reasoning Score of 258 is required.
ACCUPLACER Remote Testing (including Examity)
Testing Services supports Georgia State University applicants and students by facilitating placement testing for online and distance students at testing sites nationwide.
Please note the following conditions:
- Remote testing is arranged for students 50 miles or more from a Georgia State University Perimeter College campuses. Testing Services will not arrange remote tests at other institutions within the 50 mile radius. **PLEASE NOTE** This rule is suspended temporarily while the pandemic is still ongoing.
- Applicant and student exam candidates who test at locations other than at Georgia State University campuses will usually be charged a fee by the testing location. This is not controlled by Georgia State University, and the application of a fee or the amount of the fee is determined by the non-Georgia State University testing location. Candidates who are out of the country may have limited test sites available, but may be able to use Examity, an online proctoring service.
- Candidates should check that they meet Examity’s requirements to test if they plan to use that service. Please note that every exam proctored by Examity has a fee associated with their services, including the Math Placement exam. Georgia State University has no control over this. Problems making an appointment with Examity or with the actual proctoring session should be directed to Examity’s support.
- Candidates will need to make an account with Examity for testing. They have provided a video walk-through to help with the steps in making an account.
- Remote testing can be set up through any of our campuses
Georgia State University Contacts
To request a remote exam, please go to our registration pages and pick "Virtual Exam (Online)" and then follow the prompts for Examity testing.
Candidates will be notified by an email from the ACCUPLACER system when exams have been set up. Please schedule the placement test only after this notification. When Scheduling a placement test session, allow for 3 hours for testing, if taking all three exams (as for Admissions), as parts of the test are untimed.
ACT
The ACT is a paper and pencil standardized test used for admission into undergraduate programs at Georgia State University. The ACT scores must include the Writing Test.
For information on the exam consult the ACT website.
Test candidates are strongly encouraged to review the ACT website for policies regarding scheduling and rescheduling, required identification on test day and calculator usage.
Chemistry Placement
Any student who needs to take CHEM 1211K must either exempt or take the placement exam to be able to register for the course.
Information about CHEM 1211K course and the exemption criteria can be found on the Chemistry Department's webpage under the FAQ question "I am getting a registration error when I try to register for CHEM 1211K and I have NOT taken CHEM 1050, 1101, or 1151."
The Testing Center no longer administers a Chemistry specific exam for the Chemistry Department.
COMPASS
The COMPASS test has been discontinued by ACT. Admissions testing, exempting Learning Support and the Mathematics Department's Math Placement exam all now use the College Board's ACCUPLACER exam.
GACE
The Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators® (GACE®) is Georgia's state-approved educator certification assessment program. These computer-delivered assessments have been developed by the GaPSC and Educational Testing Service (ETS). To find out more about these assessments, please visit the GACE website. There you will also be able to see the test dates and available test centers as well as register to take the exam.
They also provide preparation resources for the GACE exam on their website as well.
GMAT
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is available year-round at VUE test centers throughout the world. For more information on the GMAT exam, consult the Graduate Management Admission Council's GMAT website.
GRE
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Revised General Test is a computer adaptive test. The GRE is composed of analytical writing, verbal, and quantitative sections.
Analytical Writing
- Present your perspective on an issue: 45 minutes
- Analyze an argument: 30 minutes
Verbal
The verbal portion of the exam measures your ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it, analyze relationships among component parts of sentences and recognize relationships between words and concepts.30 questions, 30 minutes
Quantitative
There are 28 questions with a 45-minute time limit. Calculator use is not permitted. An optional 10-minute rest break is offered midway through the test following the essays.
History & Constitution
Requirements
Per Georgia law and University System of Georgia policy, all colleges and universities shall give instruction in the history of the United States, and in the history of Georgia, and in the essentials of the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Georgia.
For this reason, students must pass HIST 2110 and POLS 1101 at Georgia State University, have previously completed these courses at a University System of Georgia institution, or pass the proficiency examination in these legislative requirements available for students at the Testing Center. Students are strongly encouraged to check with their advisor prior to registering for examinations to determine if program requirements will be fully met if an exam is taken and passed. Note that credit hours cannot be earned by passing the Georgia State University’s history and constitution proficiency exams.
Decisions regarding satisfactory completion of these requirements for transferring students are made by Admissions. Students who transfer in American Government or Constitution courses from a non-system school will be required to take the Georgia History and Constitution exams or retake the courses at Georgia State.
Test Information and Administration Details
The Georgia History, Georgia Constitution and U.S. Constitution exams are comprised of 50 multiple choice and true or false questions. The U.S. History exam is comprised of 100 multiple choice and true or false questions.
Passing Requirements
- Georgia History exam is 60 percent or higher.
- Georgia Constitution exams are 60 percent or higher.
- U.S. History exams is 70 percent or higher
- U.S. Constitution exam is 75 percent or higher.
A non-expired, government issued, Photo ID is required for admission to take any of these exams.
- Each exam may be taken only once per test date.
- A maximum of two exams may be taken during each test session (a.m. session or p.m. session).
- Changing tests on test date may not be possible. Students should plan and register carefully for the intended exam(s).
Scores will be displayed on the computer screen at the end of testing.
Preparation
Georgia Constitution
Georgia History
U.S. History
The following are reference materials recommended for use in preparing for the U.S. history exams:
- U.S. History: The American Past: A Survey of American History, by: Joseph Conlin
U.S. Constitution
LSAT
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized test used for admission into law school. The test is designed specifically to assess key skills needed for success in law school, including reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning.
For information on the exam and the areas it covers, please refer to the Law School Admission Council webpage.
MAT
Important MAT Announcement for Future Testing Cycles:
The final Miller Analogies Test® (MAT) testing cycle will be offered until November 15, 2023. No MAT testing dates, MAT Practice Tests, and Study Guides will be offered after November 15, 2023. All test-takers may continue to request Official Transcripts and Personal Score Reports through the Pearson website until November 2025.
The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) is a high-level mental abilities test (computer based) comprised of 120 partial analogies in which candidates are given 60 minutes to complete the exam.
Fluency in the English language and a broad knowledge of literature, philosophy, history, science, mathematics and fine arts will affect performance. MAT analogies state a correspondence between two things that are otherwise dissimilar. The equation for this is A:B::C:D or A is to B as C is to D.
Below are two examples of MAT type analogies:
- Grant:2::Hoover:(a. 1, b. 2, c. 3, d. 4) The answer is a.1. Grant served two terms as president. Hoover served one term.
- I:(a. V, b. X, c. D, d. XX)::C:M The answer is b. X. This is the Roman numeral for ten. Therefore, I (one) is to X (10) as C (100) is to M (1,000).
Candidates needing accommodations
The Testing Center can accommodate most candidates with disabilities. However, the Testing Center should be notified several weeks before the scheduled test date. Some disabilities may require the administration of a nonstandard test. For example, braille and large print editions of the MAT are available for the visually impaired, but ample time must be allowed to order such editions of the test. To qualify for a nonstandard test administration, candidates must contact Georgia State University Access and Accommodations Center.
Praxis
Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers
The Praxis Series® is a set of rigorous and carefully validated assessments that provides accurate, reliable information for use by state education agencies in making licensing decisions.
Colleges and universities may also use the basic academic skills assessments to qualify individuals for entry into teacher education programs. The three categories of assessments in The Praxis Series® correspond to the three milestones in teacher development:
- Praxis I: Academic Skills Assessments. Entering a teacher training program
- Praxis II: Subject Assessments. Licensure for entering the profession
- Praxis III: Classroom Performance Assessments. The first year of teaching
For more information, please consult the Praxis® website.
Regents Exam
In a meeting on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia removed the requirement that Georgia State University students must take and pass the Regents test.
Students are now exempted from taking the Regents’ Test if they meet any of the following criteria:
- Passed ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102 with a grade of C or better
- SAT-I Verbal scores of at least 510 or ACT Reading scores of at least 23
- AP English scores of at least 3
- IB higher level English scores of at least 4
- SAT-II English Writing scores of at least 650
- SAT I Writing scores of at least 560
- SAT Reasoning, Writing Section Test: 500 for students who also have at least 510 on the SAT Reasoning, Critical Reading Section.
- ACT Combined English and Writing test: 22 for students who also have at least 23 on the ACT Reading Test.
Students at other colleges or universities in Georgia should check with their institution regarding the requirements concerning the Regents test.
SAT
The SAT is a three-hour, primarily multiple choice, paper and pencil standardized test used for admission into undergraduate programs at Georgia State University.
For information on the exam, the test schedule, and registering for a future test date, consult the College Board SAT website.
Test candidates are strongly encouraged to review the College Board SAT website for policies regarding scheduling and rescheduling, required identification on test day and calculator usage.
TEAS
ATI's Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is designed to assess preparedness for those entering health science fields. It has 170 questions in a multiple-choice format with four-option answers. Questions test areas of reading, mathematics, science, and English Language. More information about the exam, including ATI's prep material, can be found on ATI's TEAS wesbsite.
TOEFL
The TOEFL® program provides English proficiency testing services for international students planning to study in the United States, Canada or other countries where English is the language of instruction.
The Educational Testing Service (ETS) develops the test under the direction of the TOEFL Board, a board comprised of professionals drawn from the higher education community.
The TOEFL test is made available worldwide to all persons, regardless of age, gender, race, nationality or religion. For more information, please refer to TOEFL.
World Languages Emmersion Exams
The World Languages and Cultures department offers examinations that allow students with a background in a world language to start in a language course that better matches their instructional needs. Placement is indeed crucial for academic success in the Georgia State language programs (further details can be found on the World Languages and Cultures website). They refer to these exams as Emmersion Exams, and information about them can be found on their website. Perimeter College students should go to the Perimeter College World Languages or Critical Languages sites for information on testing (via exam or instructor).
Students with strong language skills may obtain course credit in French, German or Spanish by taking the CLEP exam through the Testing Centers.
If you have previous language experience in these languages and seek placement into a higher level than 1001, they provide instructions on their website about which instructor to contact under the FAQ entry, "What if I want to take a language and there are no online tests?"
Contacts
Testing Locations & Contact Information
Atlanta Campus
[email protected]
404-413-1740
Counseling and Testing Center
Suite 200A
75 Piedmont Ave, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30303
Alpharetta Campus
[email protected]
770-274-5638
Room AA-1260
3705 Brookside Parkway
Alpharetta, GA 30022-4408
Clarkston Campus
[email protected]
678-891-3700
Room CH-2180
555 N. Indian Creek Drive
Clarkston, GA 30021-2361
Decatur Campus
[email protected]
678-891-2755
Room SF-2300
3251 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034-3832
Dunwoody Campus
[email protected]
770-274-5440
Room NC-1261
2101 Womack Road
Dunwoody, GA 30338-4435
Newton Campus
[email protected]
678-891-2480
Room 2N-2400
239 Cedar Lane
Covington, Georgia 30014