Prior to studying for the test, get to know the layout and categories of the exam. This can help you to gauge the areas where you'll want to devote extra time for review. The test is grouped into the following six areas: Sentence Skills, Reading Comprehension, Arithmetic, Elementary Algebra, College-Level Mathematics and a Written Essay. Within the above, there are 20 Sentence Skills and Reading Comprehension questions, 17 Arithmetic questions, 12 Elementary Algebra questions and 20 College-Level Mathematics questions (see collegeboard.com).
There are two kinds of questions within the Sentence Skills category. The first type tests your knowledge of basic sentence structure and requires you to select the individual word or phrase that most accurately substitutes the designated portion of the sentence. The second type involves construction shift questions; you'll be asked to rewrite sentences based on the given criteria. Go over your notes on coordination and subordination, and sentence logic and formation.
There are also two kinds of questions within the Reading Comprehension portion of the test. The first type includes reading excerpts followed by questions based on what you read. The second type focuses on sentence relationships; you'll be given two sentences followed by a question about their relationship--whether it supports, contradicts or repeats the same information. Review and assess your proficiency in topics such as grammar, sentence formation and conceptual reading.
The Written Essay portion requires you to provide a writing sample in which the five following characteristics will be considered: Focus, Organization, Development and Support, Sentence Structure and Mechanical Conventions. You can practice this by writing essays and asking a teacher, parent or peer to score your writing in terms of its clarity, consistency, configuration, sentence structure and supportive content.
The Arithmetic segment tests your ability to perform basic math operations and solve problems using fundamental arithmetic methods. The questions deal with operations with whole numbers and fractions, operations with decimals and percents and problem solving. Within the Elementary Algebra segment, the questions have to do with operations with integers and rational numbers, operations with algebraic expressions and equation solving, inequalities and word problems. The College-Level Mathematics segment tests your competency, starting with intermediary algebra to precalculus. The problems involve polynomials, roots and exponents, linear and quadratic equations, complex numbers, series and sequences, determinants, permutations, combinations, fractions and word problems; algebraic, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions; and coordinates and graphs (see accuplacermath.project.mnscu.edu). Review and assess your proficiency in all these areas.
In addition to your textbooks and other materials, it's worth visiting websites that offer practice Accuplacer past tests, questions and assessments. Create a study guide that addresses each category (and contents within that category) separately, so you don't feel overwhelmed. For example, you may only need to devote a short amount of time to an areas in which you're competent, and longer for those that you're not as familiar with. Printing out the assessments can give you a better idea of the subjects you need to brush up on. Create flashcards, organize study groups and attend review class/exam prep sessions (see links below). Online Accuplacer reviews are available, and there are also Accuplacer study guides that can be purchased at bookstores.
It's critical to stay relaxed while taking the test and feel comfortable; make sure to get a good night's sleep and have a well-balanced meal. Keep in mind that you can take as much time as you need on every part of the test, with the exception of the written essay. Additionally, once you move on to another question, you're not allowed to go back to the previous one, so it's not worth skipping over any questions. The Accuplacer test has a basic function calculator built in; however it's a good idea to call the school administering the test to see what other materials you may be allowed to bring, such as dictionaries, protractors, scrap paper and textbooks.