ACCUPLACER Writing Practice Test: Free Timed Drill

What is on the ACCUPLACER Writing test?

Twenty-five questions on short drafts with numbered sentences, in two areas College Board names: expression of ideas and standard English conventions.

The two areas, and what each asks

Expression of ideas
Adding, cutting or moving a sentence; choosing the transition that matches the logic; combining sentences; choosing the most precise word.
Questions often ask "Should the writer make this change?" or "Where should this sentence go?"
Standard English conventions
Sentence boundaries (run-ons, comma splices, fragments), subject-verb and pronoun agreement, verb tense, apostrophes, commas and other punctuation.
Questions usually ask "Which is the best way to write sentence 4?"

What grammar rules are on the ACCUPLACER Writing test?

A short list comes up again and again: joining sentences correctly, agreement across a long phrase, its and it's, parallel lists, pronouns with a clear reference, and the comma rules for introductions and lists.

Our study list, with the check that catches each error
Rule	Wrong	Right
Two sentences need more than a comma	The store closed, nobody knew why.	The store closed, and nobody knew why.
The verb agrees with the real subject	The list of names are long.	The list of names is long.
Its is possessive; it's is "it is"	The team lost it's first game.	The team lost its first game.
Items in a list match	She likes hiking, to swim and bikes.	She likes hiking, swimming and biking.
A pronoun needs a clear noun	When Ana met Kim, she smiled.	When Ana met Kim, Ana smiled.
Subject pronouns as subjects	Him and me went.	He and I went.
Than compares, then is time	Taller then her brother	Taller than her brother
A semicolon joins two full sentences	Because it rained; we left.	It rained; we left.

How do I choose the right transition on ACCUPLACER Writing?

Name the relationship between the two sentences first (contrast, addition, cause, example, time or conclusion) and then pick the word that signals that relationship.

Our transition list
Relationship	Words that signal it
Contrast	however, but, yet, in contrast, on the other hand, nevertheless
Addition	also, in addition, moreover, furthermore
Cause and effect	so, therefore, as a result, consequently
Example	for example, for instance
Time and sequence	first, next, then, finally, meanwhile, later
Conclusion	in short, ultimately, overall

What do ACCUPLACER writing questions look like?

A short draft with numbered sentences and a question about one of them. Both examples below are worked step by step.

ACCUPLACER-style question 1 · Sentence boundaries
Which is the best way to write sentence 2?
1. ALeave it as it is.
2. BVendors sell dumplings, tamales and fresh fruit; the line for the dumpling stall often stretches down the block.
3. CVendors sell dumplings, tamales and fresh fruit the line for the dumpling stall often stretches down the block.
4. DVendors sell dumplings, tamales and fresh fruit, and, the line for the dumpling stall often stretches down the block.
Worked answer
B: Vendors sell dumplings, tamales and fresh fruit; the line for the dumpling stall often stretches down the block.. Sentence 2 joins two complete sentences with only a comma, which is a comma splice. A semicolon joins them correctly.
1. Find the subjects and verbs: "Vendors sell" and "the line stretches".
2. Two complete sentences need a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a joining word.
3. Only the semicolon version does that cleanly.
The trap: Choosing "Leave it as it is" because the sentence sounds fine when read quickly. Check every comma that sits between two subjects and verbs.
ACCUPLACER-style question 2 · Transitions
Which choice best fills the blank in sentence 2?
1. AHowever
2. BFor example
3. CAs a result
4. DSimilarly
Worked answer
A: However. Sentence 2 turns from a cost to a saving, a contrast, so "However" fits.
1. Say what sentence 1 does: names a drawback.
2. Say what sentence 2 does: names an advantage.
3. Drawback then advantage is a contrast: However.
The trap: "As a result" sounds formal and fluent, but lower fuel costs are not caused by a higher price.

Make Writing a part you bank

Twelve questions show which rules cost you. Four more drills and eight full mocks lock them in.

The ACCUPLACER Pass Pack gives you 8 full mocks on the real clock, 20 drills of 12 questions for the sections that cost you points, and a predictor that turns your mocks into the odds of reaching your target. One payment, no subscription, and your free score stays free.

Prep courses for these tests usually cost $19 to $129. The ACCUPLACER Pass Pack is US$39 (£29), once.

See the ACCUPLACER Pass Pack How our questions are built and checked

8
timed mocks: 20
topic drills: 1
score predictor

How often is "Leave it as it is" the right answer?

Often enough that you should never avoid it: when the original has no error and is as clear as the options, it is correct.

Students tend to assume a question would not be asked unless something were wrong. On revise-and-edit tests that is not true. Check the original against the rules first; if it passes, compare it with the options for clarity and concision, and pick it when nothing is better.

In our bank about one question in four has the original as the right answer, which is a reasonable expectation for the real test too, though College Board does not publish the share.

How should I study for ACCUPLACER Writing?

Learn one rule a day from the list above with ten practice sentences, take the free drill twice, and review every miss by naming the rule it broke.

Our plan, about 30 minutes a day

Day 1
30 min
Take the free drill above. Name the rule behind each miss.
Day 2
30 min
Sentence boundaries: comma splices, run-ons and fragments.
Day 3
30 min
Agreement: subject-verb and pronoun, across long phrases.
Day 4
30 min
Punctuation: apostrophes, list commas, semicolons and colons.
Day 5
30 min
Expression of ideas: transitions, adding or cutting a sentence, placement.
Day 6
45 min
Take the full [ACCUPLACER practice test](/accuplacer-practice-test).
Day 7
20 min
Review, then rest.

Pair this with the ACCUPLACER reading practice test: many colleges use both scores for English placement.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on ACCUPLACER Writing?

Twenty-five on the Next-Generation test.

Is there an essay?

Not on the Writing test. Some colleges also give WritePlacer, a separate timed essay, which this page does not cover.

Is ACCUPLACER Writing hard?

The rules are few, but the questions are designed so a careless read misses them. A week on the rule list above fixes most errors.

How long should I spend on each Writing question?

There is no clock, but a steady minute or so is plenty for most questions. Read the whole draft once before the first question, because questions about adding, moving or cutting a sentence depend on what the paragraph is about.

Do spelling and capitalization come up?

Rarely as the main point. The test focuses on sentence structure, agreement, punctuation and the choices that make a draft clearer, so spend your time on the rule list above.

What is a good ACCUPLACER Writing score?

Colleges set it. Valencia and Eastern Florida list 253+ with Reading 256+ for first college English; Harford's 2021 chart lists 263+.

Place into college English the first time

Four Writing drills, four Reading drills and eight full ACCUPLACER-style mocks, every answer explained, one payment.