One of the challenges we sometimes
create for ourselves in advising relates to the language we use when discussing
placement scores with students. For example, we may tell a student who scores a
4 on the writing placement that he or she is “one point away” from English 101.
In reality, that statement is misleading. A student with a 4 on the writing
placement is “one score” away (actually about 13%), not one point. Using the language “one point
away” could create the impression that by simply adding a sentence, by avoiding
a missed comma or a misspelled word, or by using a few better words that the
student could create the “bump” needed to reach college level.
A similar issue relates in math
placement scores, too, particularly since questions are weighted differently.
Thus, being one point or two points away from the “cut score” for the next
higher class level doesn’t necessarily equate to getting one or two more questions
correct.
Therefore, the suggestion in all
placement discussions is to tell a student that he or she is “very close” to the next higher class level and to encourage re-testing for all the
benefits related to placing higher. It would also be wise to arm students with the resources to help them prepare for re-testing. Therefore, we'd recommend that you suggest studying with help from the College Board's free Accuplacer app or other resources linked on our placement webpage.
