Southwest Minnesota State University places students in English and Mathematics courses appropriate for their skill level. Students at Southwest are placed in one of two English courses, based on their ACT English area score or their performance on the MnSCU authorized ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension assessment. ACT Mathematics area scores, high school transcripts, or the ACCUPLACER Math assessment may be used in advising and placing students in math courses appropriate to their skill level and proposed course of study.

ACCUPLACER is a proctored, computerized assessment that provides information about a student's level of skill in reading, English, and mathematics.  All questions are multiple choice. Tests are not timed, so students can give each question as much thought as they wish. Results are available at the end of the test session.

The MnSCU mandated Assessment for College Placement (ACP), in accordance with MnSCU Board Policy 3.3, states that all incoming students must be assessed for college level skills through the authorized instruments of ACT area subscores or the ACCUPLACER assessment in English, Mathematics, and Reading. Students who have ACT area subscores on file, or who have submitted other assessment results or transcripts of previous college coursework are not required to complete the ACCUPLACER assessment.

The Director of the Academic Commons is an approved proctor for the Accuplacer and administers all Accuplacer Assessment Testing for Southwest Minnesota State University. Students who wish to take the Accuplacer for enrollment at another MnSCU institution may contact Linda Nelson, Director of Academic Commons at 507-537-7324 or Linda.Nelson@smsu.edu to make arrangements to take the assessment at SMSU.