CPT OVERVIEWCPT OVERVIEW

Materials compiled and adapted by:Materials compiled and adapted by:

Dr. Marcia E. CassidyDr. Marcia E. Cassidy

Dr. Cristi MitchellDr. Cristi Mitchell

What is the CPT?What is the CPT?

Computerized Placement TestComputerized Placement Test Used to place you into classes Used to place you into classes

based on the resultsbased on the results Cut-off (minimum) scores for Cut-off (minimum) scores for

Reading and Writing: 83Reading and Writing: 83 Has 3 sub-tests: Reading, Has 3 sub-tests: Reading,

Writing (grammar) and Math Writing (grammar) and Math (arithmetic and algebra)(arithmetic and algebra)

What do I need to bring with What do I need to bring with me?me?

Your picture ID Your picture ID Your M-DC student number (or Your M-DC student number (or

valid, current schedule)valid, current schedule) Written permission from advisor Written permission from advisor

(if not completed Level 6 EAP (if not completed Level 6 EAP courses)courses)

Reading Sub-testReading Sub-test

Test formatTest format 20 multiple-choice questions20 multiple-choice questions

Types of questionsTypes of questions A: short passages with single questions (12)A: short passages with single questions (12)

4 contain 75 words or less4 contain 75 words or less 8 contain 75 words or more8 contain 75 words or more

B: Relationship between two sentences (5)B: Relationship between two sentences (5)

Content of questionsContent of questions the arts (2-3 questions)the arts (2-3 questions) human relations & practical affairs (3-5)human relations & practical affairs (3-5) social sciences (4-6)social sciences (4-6) natural & physical sciences (4-6)natural & physical sciences (4-6)

Skills testedSkills tested sample testsample test main idea (implied or stated)main idea (implied or stated) secondary idea (detail)secondary idea (detail) inference (including vocabulary)inference (including vocabulary) applicationapplication

Writing (Grammar) Sub-testWriting (Grammar) Sub-test

Test formatTest format 20 multiple choice20 multiple choice

Types of QuestionsTypes of Questions Selecting best version of underlined portion of sentencesSelecting best version of underlined portion of sentences Selecting best rewritten form of same ideaSelecting best rewritten form of same idea

Content of QuestionsContent of Questions the artsthe arts human relationshuman relations practical affairspractical affairs social sciencessocial sciences natural & physical sciencesnatural & physical sciences

Skills TestedSkills Tested (high school grammar, especially)(high school grammar, especially)samplesample item item completeness: fragments, run-ons (comma splices)completeness: fragments, run-ons (comma splices) coordination & subordinationcoordination & subordination sentence logic and claritysentence logic and clarity