Doing the Math - JHU Mathematics - Johns Hopkins University

Appendices
I. ACCUPLACER ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA TO VSC ALGEBRA I ALIGNMENT
A. Accuplacer Elementary Algebra Skills Chart
The Accuplacer categories and skills in this chart were compiled from two sources: the Accuplacer Sample and the
Accuplacer Coordinator’s Guide. Both are available online: 1
The sample problems are from the Accuplacer Sample.
Accuplacer Sample VSC Algebra I/ HSA VSC Notes
Skill Problem Data Analysis Comparable Additional
Problem Topics
Operations with
integers and
rational numbers
Computation with
integers
Computation with
negative rationals
The use of absolute
values
Ordering
-3(5-6)-4(2-3)=
4- (-6)
-5
=
1.1.1.4 The student
will read, write, and
represent rational
numbers.
1.1.1.6 The student
will add, subtract,
multiply, and divide
rational numbers.
1.1.3.2 The student
will evaluate expressions
containing
absolute value.
1.1.3.1 The student
will locate the
position of a number
on the number line,
know that its
distance from the
origin is its absolute
value, and know that
the distance between
two numbers on the
number line is the
absolute value of
their difference.
1.1.1.5 The student
will compare order
and describe rational
numbers.
1 http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/student/testing/accuplacer/accuplacer-sample.pdf;
http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/highered/apr/accu/coordinatorsGuide.pdf
This is largely
prerequisite
material. However,
neither the HSA nor
the VSC stresses
fluency with
arithmetic, or the
basic laws
governing
arithmetic such as
the distributive law.
Doing the Math 37