PLACEMENT INFORMATION

Standardized Tests

The ACCUPLACER is the comprehensive, computerized assessment and diagnostic system that determines placement into appropriate college-level math, reading, and English (writing) courses. This measure is required of all entering students who have not submitted valid ACT, or comparable scores, (within the past five years) for admissions purposes. Students with no valid scores will incur no extra charge when taking the ACCUPLACER. Students wishing to challenge their valid scores or course placement may also take the ACCUPLACER. The challenge fee is $18. 

The ACCUPLACER is administered at the Spearfish Campus Testing Center, located on the Lower Level of the E.Y. Library and Learning Center, Room #003, OR at the Rapid City Campus Testing Center. See below for contact information. 

The COMPASS is a comprehensive, computerized assessment and diagnostic system that places students into appropriate college-level math, reading, and English (writing) courses. The COMPASS is only administered for non-South Dakota Board of Regent university students requesting Remote Testing. The standard proctor fee is assessed for remote COMPASS Testing. 

Placement Information:

Placement through ACCUPLACER: All students who do not have valid scores (ACT, SAT, Placement) or who have scores (ACT, SAT, Placement) older than five years must take the ACCUPLACER Exam. Students may either contact the Spearfish Campus Testing Center at 605.642.6099 (BHSPTestingCenter@BHSU.edu) OR the Rapid City Campus Testing Center at 605.718.4193 (BHRCTestingCenter@BHSU.edu) to take this exam. 

The scale used to determine placement with this exam is listed below:

English (Writing) Exam

• Accuplacer Sentence Skills 86-120 – ENGL 101
• Accuplacer Sentence Skills 85 and below – ENGL-033*

Algebra Exam

• Elementary Algebra, score of 76-120 and College-Level Math score of 0-50 = placement in MATH-102 or MATH-103
• Arithmetic score of 0-120 and Elementary Algebra score of 0-75 = placement in MATH-092 or MATH 093*

Reading Exam

• Accuplacer score of 0-85 = placement in READ-041*
• Accuplacer score of 86+ = No reading course required.

*These classes do not satisfy degree requirements.

Placement through COMPASS: Students who do not have ACT scores or who have ACT scores older than five years may submit COMPASS scores less than five years old from other universities. The scale used to determine placement with this exam is listed below:

Writing Exam

• COMPASS 74 & above ENGL 101
• COMPASS 1 - 73 ENGL 033*

Algebra Exam

• COMPASS 41-100 MATH 102/103/104
• COMPASS 31-40 MATH 101
• COMPASS 0-30 MATH 021*

Reading Exam

• COMPASS 0-77 READ 041*