Virginia Placement Test (VPT) Information - Germanna Community ...

Virginia Placement Test (VPT) InformationThere are two Placement tests students generally take at Germanna Community College. The VPTEnglish and VPT Math tests are computerized placement tests that are used to evaluate students’current English and Math skills respectively. The placement tests are not tests that students can“pass” or “fail.” Instead, scores are used to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses, so they arenot placed into classes that are too easy or difficult. The VPT English test typically takes two hoursto complete while the VPT Math test may take up to three hours to complete; however, there is notan established time limit. This handout includes some resources that might assist you in preparingto take the placement tests. Taking both VPT tests on the same day is not recommended.VPT English InformationThe VPT English test will consist of two weighted parts: the writing prompt, which is more heavilyweighted, and the multiple-choice reading comprehension section. The VPT English test will beginwith a selection of writing prompts. Computerized help tools, such as spell check and auto correct, willnot be available. The writing section will be scored based upon a combination of: the essay’s paragraphand sentence organization and structure, quality of content, overall unity, coherence of ideas, thesisstatement, topic sentences, spelling, and grammar. Students will be expected to proofread their writingprior to submission. After completing the writing section, students will encounter a series of readingselections followed by multiple choice questions to evaluate reading comprehension.VPT Math InformationThe VPT Math test will consist of a series of math questions, but the degree of difficulty will varythroughout the assessment. The test will begin with an adaptive section; therefore, it will progress indifficulty as the student answers questions correctly. Once the student reaches his/her optimal mathability, the test will terminate, and the appropriate college level will be determined. If necessary, the testwill enter a second phase, the diagnostic portion. This section will begin with basic math skills and willprogress through the developmental math curriculum. At the conclusion of the test, the student will beplaced into appropriate MTE courses.Provided by Tutoring Services 1 Virginia Placement Test (VPT) InformationUpdated January 2013

Sample Test Questions for the English and Math VPTThe instructions for accessing the online VPT practice test can be downloaded from Germanna’sTesting Services webpage under “Placement Testing:”http://www.germanna.edu/testing_services/placementtests.asp.Once you have registered with the VPT practice website, you may access three different practice exams.VPT Math - Practice Exam 1 covers the material in MTE modules 1-5, which is a prerequisite for theLiberal Arts Math track. VPT Math - Practice Exam 2 covers the material in MTE modules 6-9, whichis a perquisite for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) track. Studentsinterested in the STEM track should review the material within both VPT Math Practice Exams. TheVPT English – Practice Exam will cover content within the discipline of English.Helpful Placement Test Review WebsitesVirginia’s Community Colleges VPT MathSite: Math practice problems broken down the same way asthe MTE math modules.http://vccsblogs.com/math/This web site was created by the VCCS to assist students with preparing for the VPT Math test. Thewebsite is broken down by units. Each unit corresponds to the material covered in the Math Essentials(MTE) module units of the same number with unit 0 corresponding to the Basic skills (BSK) mathmodule.CollegeBoard: Critical reading, writing, and math skill preparationhttp://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/prep_one.htmlAlthough this site is specifically geared towards information covered on the SATs, the topics reviewedare similar to the subjects students will encounter on the VPT Math and VPT English test.Germanna Tutoring Services’ homepage: Access to many helpful handouts and websites.www.germanna.edu/tutorThe numerous handouts available for your use are available outside the Tutoring Centers at both theLocust Grove Campus and the Fredericksburg Area Campus. They can also be downloaded fromTutoring Services’ Germanna webpage under “Helpful Handouts.”Provided by Tutoring Services 2 Virginia Placement Test (VPT) Information

http://www.germanna.edu/Academics_And_Student_Services/Student_Services/Tutoring_Services/helpful-handouts.aspThe numerous helpful websites listed within the subheadings below are available under the “AcademicLinks” area of the website.http://www.germanna.edu/Academics_And_Student_Services/Student_Services/Tutoring_Services/academic-links.aspProvided by Tutoring Services 3 Virginia Placement Test (VPT) Information

Helpful English HandoutsGuide to Writing an EssayPrepositionsGuide to English GrammarAdjectives/AdverbsControlling Idea/ Topic SentenceSpelling – Nouns PluralThesis StatementSubject Verb AgreementComma RulesPronoun Antecedent AgreementRun-ons and Comma SplicesPronoun CaseThe SemicolonDirect and Indirect ObjectsSelf-Editing Checklist for CollegeWritersVerb TensesVCCS English VPT ReviewPossessivesHelpful English Websites‣ Guide to Grammar and Writing: Index of various grammar and writing topicshttp://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/index2.htmThis site provides a searchable database of various grammar and writing topics with examplesthat illustrate the concept. Within the index list is a link to “Quizzes,” and a link to “FAQs.”‣ English Reading and Writing Exercises: A computer applet with different exerciseshttp://www.qedoc.org/en/index.php?title=English_Reading_and_Writing_ExercisesThis site provides a link to run a Java-based program containing different reading and writingexercises. Activities range from Hangman to fill-in-the-blank questions. At the beginning of theprogram, you may choose the difficulty level.‣ Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab: Guides students on the writing process, mechanics,grammar, development of thesis statements, and much more.http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/This site provides many useful articles on the writing process including: academic writing,common writing assignments, mechanics, grammar, punctuation, and other topics listed underthe “General Writing” subheading within the menu on the left-hand side.Provided by Tutoring Services 4 Virginia Placement Test (VPT) Information

Helpful Math HandoutsMTE 1-9 Cumulative Math ReviewWorking with Complex NumbersOrder of OperationsGeometric FormulasIntroduction to Word ProblemsExponents and RadicalsMTE 5 & 7 Word ProblemsLogarithmsDecimals, Fractions, & PercentagesMetric ConversionsIntroduction to FractionsCompleting the SquareFactoring MethodsGraphing PolynomialsLinear EquationsPolynomial FractionsQuadratic Formula and theDiscriminateCommon Trigonometric AngleMeasurementsCommon Derivatives and IntegralsHelpful Math Websites‣ KhanAcademy: Video tutorials on various Math and other topicshttp://www.khanacademy.org/This site provides access to thousands of video tutorials on many course topics including Math,Biology, SAT prep, Physics, Chemistry, History, and many others. Use the search feature to findthe topic you would like to review. Most videos are under ten minutes in length.‣ That Quiz: Math practice quizzeshttp://www.thatquiz.org/This site provides many practice problems for a variety of math topics from Arithmetic toGeometry and Calculus. Quiz results only demonstrate which problems were answered correctlyor incorrectly; they do not provide the solutions.‣ PurpleMath: Tutorials on many math topicshttp://www.purplemath.com/modules/index.htmThis site provides detailed explanations on how to solve many different kinds of math problems.Sections include: Preliminary topics; Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Algebra; andSolving Word Problems.Provided by Tutoring Services 5 Virginia Placement Test (VPT) Information

‣ Math.com: Tutorials, practice problems, calculators, and gameshttp://math.com/homeworkhelp/PreAlgebra.htmlMath.com features tutorials on many different math topics, including pre-algebra, math basics,algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and calculus. There are also many online calculatorsavailable for use, as well as a variety of games that will strengthen math skills.‣ AAA Math: Multiplication practicehttp://www.aaastudy.com/mul.htmThis site provides lessons and practice problems on basic multiplication. Other Math topics canbe accessed by clicking on the links located within the left-hand menu.‣ HippoCampus: Algebra video tutorials with audiohttp://www.hippocampus.org/This site features video tutorials on how to solve a variety of math problems. Topics includealgebra basics, equations, ratios and proportions, inequalities, absolute values, and others. Alsofeatured are simulations where the concepts presented in the videos are the basis of games,puzzles, or application scenarios.‣ Algebra.help: Lessons and practice problemshttp://www.algebrahelp.com/worksheets/This site provides lessons and practice problems with a step-by-step guide to the solutions.Provided by Tutoring Services 6 Virginia Placement Test (VPT) Information