Reading Study Guidance

The Reading test consists of 20 questions related to humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The test presents reading passages in narrative, expository, or argumentative forms, and you must identify what is requested, using the following skills: close reading and inference, theme identification, main ideas and support details differentiation, summary concepts, idea relationships, rhetorical devices, synthesis, and vocabulary.

1. ACCUPLACER® “Inside the Test" explains the components of the test. Skip down to the description for Reading.
2. Access the ACCUPLACER app. When finished with the practice test, you receive a summary of the results and recommended areas to study. You can revisit questions and concepts measured in the app and use the Reading Resources below to study independently or with an Academic Achievement Center Instructor.
3. Another resource is a link to the “Reading Sample Questions," which you can download, print, and use to study. Complete the practice test and review your answers. Take the guide and your answers to the Academic Achievement Center to review with an instructor.
4. The Union Test Prep site also has Reading resources and a learn-as-you-go practice test that can be used in the same fashion. Click to the Next Generation Reading.
5. Finally, the Academic Achievement Center (AAC) has resources to help you improve your reading skills. Check with the AAC on your campus.

Reading Study Resources

Reading Reviews and Courses

• Reading Review, Austin Community College: Use it to study multiple reading concepts
• Reading, Cuesta College: Use it to study multiple reading concepts, too

Main Ideas and Supporting Details

• “Main Idea Practice," Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus
• “Main Ideas and Supporting Details," Learning Assistance Center, University of Hawai'i Mānoa

• “Thesis, Main Ideas, and Supporting Details," Amanda Rodenborn, Reading and Study Skills Professor, Des Moines Area Community College

Inferences

• “Making Inferences," Vanessa Miller's YouTube video
• “Making Inferences," Katherine Schulten on her Skills and Strategies Blog

Sentence Relationships

• “Sentence Relationships" from Practice ACCUPLACER Tests
• "Explicit/Implicit Relationships Within and Between Sentences," Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus
• "Author's Overall Organizational Pattern," Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus

Author's Purpose and Rhetorical Strategies

• “Author's Purpose: PIE," Amanda Rodenborn, Reading and Study Skills Professor, Des Moines Area Community College
• “How to Analyze the Purpose of a Text," Study.com: Review the videos and quizzes. When finished reviewing the purpose, click to the home page and study concepts from Chapters 17-20
• “Author's Purpose Worksheets," Ereading Worksheets: An overview, multiple worksheets, and answers are available.
• “Patterns of Thinking and Organization," Learning Assistance Center, University of Hawai'i Mānoa

When Ready, Take the Test!

Relax! ACCUPLACER  is a well-designed test to help you assess your readiness for college. The following tips will help you do your best.

1. Get a good night's rest the night before the test. Eat a healthy breakfast and drink some water that morning to nourish your body and mind.
2. Arrive a couple of minutes early so you can gather your thoughts and locate the Testing Center.
3. Ask questions if you don't understand the process of ACCUPLACER.
4. During the test, read the questions carefully.
5. Work to answer all the questions.