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Leah Bittner

“The SMSU RN to BSN Program does not have you take a set amount of credits each semester. This flexible scheduling was perfect for me as it allowed me to vary the amount of credits I took each semester. I would have struggled without that flexibility as I am a non-traditional student who is also a wife, mother of four, and worked full time while completing my degree. This program is designed to fit into your life, whether you want to be a full-time or part-time student.”

Leah Bittner, '22 Alum
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FAQs for Placement Testing

Placement testing measures reading, writing, listening, and mathematics skills. Placement testing is used to guide students in selecting appropriate courses in these disciplines and to help ensure a student’s academic success upon entering SMSU. The results are used to determine initial placements in English, mathematics, and EMLS courses. 
If you have questions about your course placement, please contact Sarah Brown, Coordinator of Academic Support & New Student Engagement, at 507-537-7216 or Sarah.Brown@SMSU.edu. 
If you are dissatisfied with your course placement, you may wish to consult your assigned academic advisor or the Deeann Griebel Student Success Center before taking the placement tests a second time. You can retake each exam unit (i.e., mathematics, reading, listening, etc.) of the placement test twice in a 12-month period. There is a 30-day waiting period from your 1st test date before students can retake the ACCUPLACER. 
No, there is no pass or fail. The tests indicate your current skill level, not your potential. 
SMSU follows the assessment guidelines for course placement set forth by the Minnesota State system. Reading and writing placement scores are valid if taken within five calendar years, inclusive of the current calendar year, and mathematics scores are valid for two calendar years, inclusive of the current calendar year. SMSU also applies a 5-year validity period to EMLS placement scores. 
Students can register to take the ACCUPLACER by contacting Sarah Brown, Coordinator of Academic Support & New Student Engagement, at (507) 537-7216 or via email at Sarah.Brown@SMSU.edu. Please reach out at least one week before the date you want to take the test.  

Students who may need accommodations for placement testing because of a disability should contact Accessibility Services.

Vickie Abel 
Coordinator of Accessibility Services 
Individualized Learning (IL) 220 
Vickie.Abel@SMSU.edu 
(507) 537-6492 

ACCUPLACER is free to students enrolled in Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. A $10.00 fee is assessed for retaking all or part of the ACCUPLACER. 


Students who have questions about course placement may contact: 

Michael Van Keulen
Associate Director of Student Success
Deeann Griebel Student Success Center
Individualized Learning (IL) 224E
Michael.VanKeulen@SMSU.edu 
(507) 537-6430

Last Modified: 6/16/26 1:47 PM | Website Feedback