Accuplacer Practice Test

What types of texts can be found in the reading comprehension section of the Accuplacer?

1. Fiction novels and short stories

2. Articles, essays, and excerpts from literature

3. Scientific journals and research papers

4. Text messages and social media posts

The correct answer is: Articles, essays, and excerpts from literature

The reading comprehension section of the Accuplacer includes a variety of written materials that help assess a student's ability to understand and interpret texts. The inclusion of articles, essays, and excerpts from literature is particularly significant because these types of texts represent a broad range of writing styles and subjects. They are often composed in a way that requires critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis of information, which are essential skills for college-level reading. Articles usually present informative content, essays provide structured arguments or explorative discussions, and excerpts from literature expose students to various narrative techniques and thematic elements. Such diversity in texts ensures that students practice and demonstrate their comprehension across different contexts and formats, which is a critical part of academic success. In contrast, while fiction novels and short stories, scientific journals and research papers, or casual texts like text messages and social media posts may serve educational purposes, they do not encompass the primary focus of the reading comprehension section in this standardized assessment. The emphasis is on more structured and formal types of writing that reflect the reading demands in academic settings.