essay topics for placement test

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English Placement Test Online Preparation, Free Practice Questions & Tips – 2024

• English Placement Tests
• Free English Placement Tests Practice Test

What Is an English Placement Test?

The English placement test is a type of a verbal reaoning psychometric test used to gauge your level of fluency in English. The English placement test measures your aptitude for a variety of factors within the language. The test can be scored in a multitude of ways, but regardless of how the score is given, you will be rated on a scale of elementary to advanced. In the academic world, a high English placement test score can earn you course credits without having to take an extra English course. Employers often use the English placement test to gauge your overall understanding of English. Refer to the below tips to aid in your preparation for test day!

How to Prepare for the English Placement Test?

Remember, an English placement test is an assessment designed to determine your proficiency level in the English language. These tests are often used by educational institutions, employers, and language programs to place you in appropriate courses or positions that match your skill level. To ensure you perform your best on the test, follow these tips:

Understand the test format. Familiarize yourself with the structure of the test. It may include sections on reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, listening, and writing. Knowing the format will help you manage your time effectively during the test.

• Review basic English concepts . Brush up on fundamental English concepts such as grammar rules, sentence structure, verb tenses, prepositions, articles, and parts of speech. Use textbooks, online resources, or language learning apps to reinforce your knowledge.
• Enhance your English vocabulary . Build a strong vocabulary by learning new words, idiomatic expressions, and synonyms. Consider using flashcards or vocabulary-building apps to help you remember and practice using these words.
• Practice reading comprehension . Improve your reading skills by reading a variety of texts, such as newspapers, magazines, short stories, and academic articles. Pay attention to main ideas, supporting details, and inferences.
• Develop listening skills. Listen to English audio materials, such as podcasts, news broadcasts, or online videos. Focus on understanding different accents, tones, and contexts. This will help you excel in the listening comprehension section.
• Practice writing. Write essays, paragraphs, or journal entries to enhance your writing skills. Focus on organizing your ideas logically, using proper grammar and punctuation, and expressing your thoughts clearly and concisely.
• Time management. On the test day, manage your time wisely. Allocate specific time limits to each section and question. If you’re stuck on a question, move on and return to it later if time permits.
• Take practice tests. Obtain practice tests or sample questions similar to the format of the actual test. This will give you a feel for the types of questions you might encounter and help you identify areas that need more improvement.
• Simulate test conditions. Practice under conditions similar to the actual test. Find a quiet place, set a timer, and attempt the practice tests without interruptions to mimic the testing environment.
• Review and reflect. After taking practice tests, review your answers and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Focus on improving areas where you struggled and continue practicing until you feel confident.
• Get plenty of rest. Prioritize a good night’s sleep before the test. A well-rested mind will help you think clearly and perform your best.
• Test day preparation. On the test day, arrive early to the test center. Bring required identification and any permitted materials, such as pencils, erasers, and identification documents.
• Stay calm and confident . During the test, maintain a positive mindset. Stay calm, read instructions carefully, and approach each question thoughtfully. Trust in your preparation and don’t let anxiety affect your performance.
• Pace yourself. Pace yourself through the test. Don’t rush, but also avoid spending too much time on any single question. Remember, it’s better to complete the entire test with reasonable accuracy than to leave many questions unanswered.
• Accept the results. After the test, accept the results and use them as a starting point for your English language journey. Whether you place at a higher or lower level, you now have a clear understanding of your skills and can work towards improvement.

Remember, an English placement test is a tool to assess your current level of proficiency, and it’s okay if you don’t know every answer. Use the results to guide your language learning goals and continue practicing to achieve the level of English proficiency you desire.

Example Question with Explanation

Let’s take a look at a sample question you might see on an English placement test.

Example question: Identify the error in the following sentence and select the correct option to fix it.

“Neither of the books on the shelf are mine.”

• Neither of the books on the shelf is mine.
• Neither of the book on the shelf is mine.
• Neither of the book on the shelf are mine.

Explanation: The correct answer is B. This is because the subject in this sentence is “neither,” which is singular. This can be confusing as we use this word to reference two things, but it’s singular because it is actually referring to two objects (in this case, books) that are not in possession of the person in the sentence. In other words, the absence of multiples within the word makes it singular despite referring to two things.

Because we have a singular subject, the verb in the sentence (“is” which is a conjugation of “to be”), needs to be singular as well. This makes using “are” incorrect. As for why “books” needs to be plural, that is because the subject “neither” means that there are at least two options.

It’s okay if this seems confusing. That’s because grammar is difficult! All the more reason to make a point to review your grammar rules and implement plenty of practice prior to taking the English placement test. The more time you spend practicing and brushing up on all aspects of English, the more natural these skills will come.

English Placement Test Sample Questions

Now that we’ve gone over the necessary information for preparation, it’s time to practice! Below you will find eight free sample questions with which to practice what you’ve learned. An answer key can be found at the bottom. Good luck!

• Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Passage: “The sun sets in the west, casting a warm glow over the horizon. The sky transforms into a canvas of vibrant oranges, pinks, and purples. It’s a breathtaking sight that reminds us of the beauty in nature.” Question: What colors are typically seen in the sky during a sunset?

• Yellow, purple, pink
• Green, blue, purple
• Black, green, pink
• Orange, pink, purple
• Me and my friend is going to the movies.
• My friend and me is going to the movies.
• My friend and I are going to the movies.
• Me and my friend are going to the movies.
• He often reads science books.
• He often reads books science.
• He science often reads books.
• Books he often reads science.
• A type of dessert
• A difficult task
• A simple task
• A type of bread
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College Placement Test

Free Math and English Online Practice Exams

English Placement Test Essay Examples

You will find English placement test essay examples for your college entrance exam on this page.

In the writing section of the test, you will see literary nonfiction, essays, and informational passages.

The passages are around 300 words in length and there are five questions on each one.

Our free study guide will help you learn all of the grammar rules that are covered on the test.

Here is a free sample from our writing test PDF download :

Instructions: Read the first of our English placement test essay examples below and answer the questions that follow.

(1) The Department of Education in our state recently stated that more discipline is needed in the classroom. (2) Can you believe it? (3) It comes a bit late – I’m sure you’ll agree – but then the employee’s at the Department have had a great deal to think about over the years. (4) I don’t generally put much stock in the Department of Education’s opinions. (5) For several years, I’ve seen bad behavior in some schools and nothing serious being done about it. (6) In the meantime, the Department of Education has insinuated through its silence that everything was just great. (7) Evidently, however, now it’s not.

(8) Consider for instance, one of the children in my gifted class. (9) Since the school is discontinuing the program, he has to move back into the main school, understandably, he’s told me that he doesn’t want to go. (10) He wants to stay where there are very high standards of behavior and work. (11) He’s done so well. (12) His parents can’t believe the high level he achieves. (13) How great is that?

1. What is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 3, reproduced below?

It comes a bit late – I’m sure you’ll agree – but then the employee’s at the Department have had a great deal to think about over the years.

A. Leave it as it is now. B. employees C. employees’ D. employees’s

2. What is the best decision regarding the underlined portion of sentence 7, reproduced below?

Evidently, however, now it’s not.

A. Leave it as it is now. B. Remove the comma after “Evidently” C. Remove the comma after “however” D. Delete “Evidently,” from the beginning of the sentence

3. What is the best decision regarding the underlined portion of sentence 9, reproduced below?

Since the school is discontinuing the program, he has to move back into the main school, understandably, he’s told me that he doesn’t want to go.

A. Leave it as it is now. B. Place a period after “school” and begin a new sentence with “Understandably,” C. Use a dash after “school” instead of a comma D. Use a colon after “school” instead of a comma

English Placement Test Essay Examples – Answers

1. The correct answer is B. The word “employees” forms the grammatical subject of the sentence. The writer is speaking about all of the workers at the Department of Education, so we need to use the plural form. An apostrophe is not required since we do not need the possessive form.

2. The correct answer is A. The sentence is best as it is written in the original essay. A comma needs to be placed after “evidently” as it is a transition word used at the beginning of the sentence. A comma also needs to be used after “however, because it is used within the sentence. The use of both words in this sentence serves as a logical connector to the previous argument that the writer is making.

3. The correct answer is B. We have two complete sentences here since each has its own grammatical subject and verb. So, a period should be used after “school” and a new sentence should be made starting with the next word.

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Home > Capgemini Exceller Placement Papers and Solutions 2024 > Capgemini Essay Writing Test

Capgemini Essay Writing Test

Capgemini essay writing questions and paper.

Capgemini Essay Writing test was recently introduced in the Capgemini Written English Test.

• Topics that are generally asked in the Capgemini test are related to Geo-Political issues - Demonetization .
• Written English Test Capgemini you need to score at least 7 out of 10 marks .

Capgemini essay writing test is of high competition. This section is also known as Capgemini Paragraph Writing Test Questions.

Read our Post on Detailed Syllabus and Online Test Pattern for  Capgemini here , they have just changed their Syllabus in March.

Adaptive/Non Adaptive

Non Adaptive

Negative Marking

Capgemini Written English Test Questions

Topics for essay writing in capgemini paper.

• First Campus Interview Experience
• My Best Friend
• Are we too dependent on Computers
• Digitization and its benefits
• My last vacation with Parents

Tips and Tricks for Essay Writing in Capgemini

A number of words that you write do not matter, to be honest.

Capgemini Paragraph Writing Test Questions

A 300-word essay is enough. What they will award points or deduct points on are the following –

Punctuations

• Paragraphisation(Divide in 2/3 Para)
• Using heavy words that are considered to be proficient in English will not award extra points
• Thus it is advisable to write in normal English with good grammar and spelling and punctuation.

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Most Important topics:-

• Hard work or talent - which is more important to succeed in the workplace?
• Knowledge gained with experience is more important than the knowledge gained from books?
• Is cloning a good option to capture quality talent? Violent video games affect children negatively?
• Are corrupt but efficient politicians better than honest but inefficient politicians?
• Education – Importance in the development of the country
• Your Favorite Sportsperson
• Reservation in India
• Effect of Mobile Phones on Teenagers
• My Dream job
• Is Climate change real?
• Write an essay on ‘Learning vs Understanding’.
• Spending habits drifting away financial security
• What are the effects of video games on teenagers these days
• Give your views on the necessity of daily exercise and should it made compulsory in the Indian education system?
• Success comes to those who take risks.
• Impact of social networking & social networking sites
• Views on manual or automated work through software
• Education needs to be practical
• A person's Education achievement depends upon family, friends, and society. give your views for or against this topic

Tips and Tricks for Capgemini Essay Writing

The number of words that you write does not matter, to be honest.

Capgemini Essay Writing Test Questions

Capgemini Essay Topics Analytics 2024

Stats about capgemini essay writing.

Points needs to be taken care to avoid marks deduction

Paragraphisation.

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4 comments on “Capgemini Essay Writing Test”

How to handle and get well rating in Capgemini essay writing test…

Go through our Online Classes we have covered all the Points regarding Essay Writing. Link for which is – https://prepinsta.com/capgemini-online-classes/

which type of essay topics they ask and from where i can get answer

Hy Somya, You can go through our Online Classes as you’ll get idea about the essay topics. Link for which is – https://prepinsta.com/capgemini-online-classes/

June 12, 2024

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How to Write an Essay for a College Placement Exam

When just beginning or transferring to a college, students may be required to take a college placement exam that includes math, reading and writing tests. As part of the writing exam, students are expected to write an argumentative essay that states a clear position and provides analysis and evidence. The exam is rated and evaluated by faculty members at the college, and the scores determine into which level English course each student is placed.

Most college placement essays require students to read a set of circumstances and formulate an argument based on those circumstances. Often the prompts for college placement exams involve community- and school-related issues. Once you have carefully read and understood the prompt, decide which position you will take in your essay. Then take a few minutes to plan the basic structure, or outline, of the essay before you write it. Begin by writing a clear thesis statement -- a single sentence that sums up the main point of your entire essay. Then jot down and plan the order of the main supporting point and evidence you will present in the essay.

Writing the Essay

Typically, the essay portion of a college placement exam should be structured in a five-paragraph format consisting of an introduction, three body paragraphs and a conclusion. The thesis statement should be placed in the introduction and all subsequent information should directly support -- with explanation, analysis and specific examples -- the thesis statement. For example, if you are arguing that school days should be lengthened for public schools, you can support your claim with the following reasons: working parents will benefit from having their children stay longer in school, students will have fewer opportunities to get into trouble and students will be better prepared for college as a result of the additional schooling. Make certain as you write that each body paragraph's central idea is distinct from the others while still proving the thesis statement.

Part of the score of the college placement essay is determined by grammar, spelling and clarity of structure. Once you have completed the essay, take a few minutes to carefully read through it and proofread the text for errors. Reviewing the essay before you submit it also provides you the opportunity to develop or clarify the sub-arguments. Take time to read through and polish the essay to improve your chances of earning a higher score.

Time Management

A key strategy in the college placement exam essay is to take full advantage of all the time that is allotted. By managing your time wisely, you can allow sufficient time to plan, compose and proofread the essay before you submit it. Typically, each student is allowed 60 to 90 minutes to read the prompt, as well as to plan, write and review the essay. Keep your eye on the clock and allot at least 5 to 10 minutes at the start and the end of the allotted time to properly complete your pre- and post-writing.

• ACT Compass: Writing Essay (e-Write)

Soheila Battaglia is a published and award-winning author and filmmaker. She holds an MA in literary cultures from New York University and a BA in ethnic studies from UC Berkeley. She is a college professor of literature and composition.

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Sample Essays

Below are two sample essays. Both essays are in response to the writing prompt below. The first sample essay demonstrates a readiness for English Composition I (a writing course required in all degree programs). The second contains weak areas demonstrating a need for additional support to foster success in English Composition I.

Penn College faculty evaluate essays based on the following:

• organization
• development of ideas
• sentence structure
• word choice
• punctuation

The Faculty Evaluation section explains how effectively the student addressed each essay component and provides a rationale for each student’s placement.

English Composition I (ENL 111)

Write about a sport, hobby, or extra-curricular activity that you were involved with in high school and the impact that sport or activity had on your life. Be sure to clearly identify the sport or activity, and use specific details how this involvement made an impact on your life.

Student Essay:

One hobby or skill I pride myself in is my ability to cook, one that I have only obtained in my last 2 years working as a cook. When I started at Rotelli (an Italian restaurant in State College) it was right after my senior year in High school.

Fresh out of High school with no prior experience in the “real world” I was more or less forced to mature to meet the basic standards of a high-end kitchen employee. Allowing people to walk all over me due to my nonthreatening appearance and stoic resolve was no longer an option. Most of my coworkers were/are gruff, seasonal restaurant employees who will verbally “go for the throat” without a moments notice.

After several months of this environment and dreading going to work, I picked up on things to sharpen my wit, making what was before an entire night of being picked on into just playful verbal abuse. After this realization literally everything seemed less of a hassel, as well as near complete immunity to any sort of heckling. I even pushed the envelope by getting my lip pierced to “draw more heat” but no such insidents occurred.

In summation, the restaurant not only turned me into a good cook but also prepared me for the hassel and hardships of the real world, something that will be a definite benefit to me in the future.

Faculty Evaluation:

The essay shows a significant degree of organization . In the opening paragraph, the student mentions the specific hobby (cooking) that will be the subject of the essay, and then each paragraph relates to this particular hobby and its impact on the student’s life. The development of ideas occurs in each paragraph because the student writes about how the experience at this restaurant has impacted the student at the restaurant and the possible impact on the student’s future. There are some minor errors in punctuation , word choice , and spelling , but they do not take away from the reader’s ability to understand the paragraphs individually and the essay as a whole. The sentence structure is consistently strong throughout the essay, and evident in each paragraph. The essay contains specific details. The student connects the paragraphs to the prompt, clearly showing the impact that the experience at this restaurant has had on the student’s life. This student was placed in ENL111.

English Composition I (ENL 111) with English Composition Lab (ENL105)

Write about a sport, hobby, or extra-curricular activity that you were involved with in high school and the impact that sport or activity had on your life. Be sure to clearly identify the sport or activity, and use specific details about how this involvement made an impact on your life.

For my essay I will be choosing number two. The activity I will be writing about is highschool wrestling. I chose this sport in nineth grade. The reason I chose it was because I herd it had good rewards. I will be writing to you about the difficulties, rewards, experience, all what I learned from challenges.

There are multiple problems with word choice and spelling.

I will start with the difficulties. The one major difficulty for most people is eating. You must keep your weight minimal or you shouldnt even show up. What you learn from this is disapline. The second is fear with anciaty. You may want this actualy before a match. You get scared and prepare better. Your anciaty gives you speek and strength when you get on the mat. This teaches you how to use your weakness.

The ideas are not developed here. For instance, there are no details on why weight is a problem.

The last difficultie is physical pain and edurance. The best way to deal with it is to ignore it. Your mind is whats telling you it hurts and you need to stop. Tell it to ignore it and over time it will. This teacies you the more important thing which is you can do anything if you beleive you can. Those are some of the Difficulties and lessens you learn from wrestling.

In addition to spelling, punctuation, and grammar problems, this paragraph does not connect the ideas to each other, nor to the prompt.

The rewards you experience are great. The greatest reward is self greatness. When you train and win you feel accomplishd. You also have respect from your team and coach. It feels like you have some power. The last reward is the body. You get a great body from it and you feel great. Girls will offten give you attention for having it. Those are some of the rewards of wrestling.

Spelling issues are present and the ideas are listed, but not developed.

Over all highschool wrestling is a great way to improve yourself. I have learnd many skill and discipline from it. I have changed my life because of it. There will always be difficulties but you will always get somthing out of it. That is what I have to discuss on my activity.

While the student demonstrates some understanding of five paragraph format, there are numerous errors overall and little idea development in the essay.

The essay shows a degree of organization . In the opening paragraph, the student mentions three points to be made in the essay: difficulties, rewards, and experience. In the body of the essay, however, there is very little development of ideas . In the second paragraph, the student does not develop the idea of disciplined eating or anxiety. Paragraph four is a list of three rewards from wrestling, but the ideas are only listed, not developed. While there are some errors in punctuation , there are significant problems with sentence structure throughout the essay, especially with grammar , word choice , and spelling . These are pervasive throughout the essay. This student was placed in ENL111 with the additional support of ENL105.

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How to Write an Essay for a College Placement Exam

How to Write an Introduction to an Analytical Essay

Colleges rely on placement exam essays to identify a student’s writing level after high school. Because the test diagnoses areas for improvement in writing skill, the student should not fear that any judgments he makes in the essay are being graded. Though college placement essays are challenging, in the end it is the student who benefits when he is placed in the college English class most suited to his ability.

Spend the full hour you are given to write the essay. Goucher College recommends that such time is necessary to adequately develop your thoughts and present them in error-free text.

Confirm that you understand the question. Pay attention to words such as “evaluate,” “critique” or “present,” which give clues about the kind of response test reviewers are looking for. For example, if the question asks you to “evaluate” responses to a public policy decision, you should not write an essay that predicts whether the decision will produce good results. See “For Essay Questions” on the St. Benedict College-St. John’s University website.

Devote at least 5 minutes to pre-writing. If you don’t have time to outline your essay, at least write a simple list of the topics and points you intend to cover. Pick one or two points you consider strong and focus on supporting those rather than loading up your essay with one point after another, according to Middlesex Community College.

Write a clear, precise thesis statement. Then devote the rest of your essay to supporting it. Buttress your thesis with logical arguments to guarantee a higher score than an essay that tries to prove a point with circular reasoning. For example, support a thesis that the township should reduce the tax rate by arguing that residents are already overtaxed rather than by stating that it is good policy to reduce tax rates.

Engage the reader by varying sentence structure and vocabulary. Avoid writing every sentence with a subject followed by a verb and its direct object. Instead of writing, “The professor was impatient with the class and decided to give it a test,” try a variation such as “Impatient with his class, the professor decided it was time for a test.”

Save at least 5 minutes before time is up to proofread your essay. This can improve your score more than you expect. Correct spelling errors, avoid contractions and never write in the first or second person.

Check the college’s website for sample questions used on past examinations. Some, such as Middlesex County College, give examples of acceptable and poorly written essays that you can use to practice against.

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• Check the college’s website for sample questions used on past examinations. Some, such as Middlesex County College, give examples of acceptable and poorly written essays that you can use to practice against.

Michele Vrouvas has been writing professionally since 2007. In addition to articles for online publications, she is a litigation paralegal and has been a reporter for several local newspapers. A former teacher, Vrouvas also worked as a professional cook for five years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from Caldwell College.

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English Language Placement Test Sample

International students applying for admission without providing any TOEFL or other English proficiency test scores  will take an English language placement test during orientation . This test was designed by an experienced team of  Shoreline faculty members  with advanced degrees in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). The English placement test has three sections: reading, writing, and listening. Click the tabs below to see each section.

The reading section of Shoreline Community College's English placement test has five passages. Each passage is followed by five multiple-choice questions. Here is a sample:

"Ted Serios is not a normal person. He was in his mid-forties when he was introduced to Jule Eisenbud, Professor of Psychiatry at Denver Medical School in 1963.

"During the next several years, Eisenbud showed that Serios had the bizarre ability to produce images on film by simply staring into a camera. Together, Eisenbud and Serios produced more than two hundred of these "thoughtographs." Most of them were images of buildings, landscapes, people, and machines. The thoughtographs were created under carefully controlled conditions and the process was observed by many witnesses, some of whom were very skeptical of Serios' claimed abilities. The experimenters were careful to exclude the possibility of fraud by using methods such as medical examinations and X-rays. They even put Serios in a straightjacket and removed all of his clothes.

"No one has ever been able to give a satisfactory explanation for the pictures that Serios and Eisenbud made."

1. What is the main idea of this reading passage?     a. A man named Ted Serios met a psychiatrist named Julie Eisenbud.     b. A man was able to create photographic images by looking into a camera.     c. Ted Serios was examined very carefully by scientists.     d. Electromagnetic radiation can create images on film. 2. Which of the following is true, according to the reading passage?     a. Ted Serios was a doctor at a medical school in Denver .     b. The images that Serios created were limited to people and buildings.     c. Serios forced some other people to wear a straightjacket.     d. No one has ever been able to explain how Serios created “thoughtographs”. 3. What is the most likely meaning of the word “fraud”?     a. disease     b. fakery     c. machinery     d. beauty 4. The word “them” in paragraph 2, line 3 refers to...     a. Eisenbud and Serios     b. “thoughtographs”     c. people and buildings     d. respectable witnesses 5. If this reading passage continued, what do you suppose the next part might be about?     a. some other strange phenomenon     b. Ted Serios' family life     c. the history of Denver Medical School     d. difficulties in taking good vacation photos

Answers: B, D, B, B, A

For the writing section of Shoreline Community College's English placement test, students may choose to write for the higher level or the lower level.

Higher level : a student who writes an essay based on a higher level topic will be placed in English 101, the appropriate English for Academic Purposes (EAP) level, or the appropriate ESL level.

Lower level: a student who chooses to write a paragraph based on a lower level topic will be placed in the appropriate ESL level.

Here is an example of the Writing Section of the English placement test:

Higher level : If you would like to be considered for English 101 or EAP, please write an essay on ONE of the following topics:

1. Explain two ways that some form of transportation has changed urban life.

2. Argue that people should not be allowed to marry until they are more than thirty years old.

Lower level: If you would like to be considered for ESL, please write one or two paragraphs on one of the following topics:

1. Tell about a time you lost something important.

2. Tell about a funny experience you had with a friend.

The listening section has five passages that are tape-recorded. Students listen to each passage on tape and then answer five multiple-choice questions. Here is a sample:

"The following short listening passage is part of a listening test. You will hear a short sample of speech followed by five questions. Each question will be repeated on the tape, but the questions do not appear in the test booklet. You may take notes on the provided piece of paper. When you answer the questions, be sure to mark your answers on the scantron and not on the test booklet. Your notes will be collected after the test."

Listening passage one

"The banjo is a musical instrument which originated in Africa. Because African music is very much based on rhythm, the banjo looks very much like a drum and probably developed from a drum. It also has a neck and from four to six strings. The banjo was probably brought from Africa to America by slaves in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the United States, white country musicians began using the banjo to play their dance music. Eventually, the four-string banjo became an integral part of early jazz, called Dixieland and the five-string banjo became the foundation of a kind of fast country music called bluegrass.

"Listen to the following questions and mark your answers on your scantron sheet." 

1.   What is a banjo?     a. a musical instrument     b. a slave     c. a kind of music     d. a dance 2.  Where did the banjo originate?     a. in Asia     b. in Europe     c. In Africa     d. In America 3.  What are two kinds of music in which the banjo is used?     a. four-string and five-string     b. rhythm and strings     c. the 16th and 17th century     d. dixieland and bluegrass 4.  What would be the most likely source of this listen passage?     a. a music appreciation lecture     b. a radio advertisement     c. a political speech     d. a TV situation comedy

5.  If this listening passage continued, what would the next topic probably be?     a. types of drums in Africa     b. the problem of slavery in America     c. some famous banjo players     d. classical music today

Answers: A, C, D, A, C

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Reading/Essay Placement Test Resources

Related links.

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We highly encourage students to study/review prior to testing. below are some sites you may find helpful.

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Essay Practice & Resources

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• Guide with Sample Essays (PDF)

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Sample Scored Essays

In This Section

Two to three ECC faculty/staff read and score each essay giving it a single, holistic score. In holistic scoring, essays are not given low scores just because they contain many mechanical errors, nor are they given high scores just because they are well organized. While those factors are important, the reader also considers the overall impression created by the student's writing sample and assigns a score consistent with that overall impression.

Your essay will be assigned one of the following holistic scores based on the criteria listed. We have included here a set of three actual (anonymous) student papers using discontinued topics, along with an analysis of their strengths and weaknesses. There are many ways of obtaining a particular score, so these should not be taken as templates or models to follow. Yet, they provide some concrete examples of the ways that the scoring criteria are applied in practice.

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*Note: The Testing Center is closed Tuesdays from 2 to 3 pm for a department meeting. All tests and materials are collected 15 minutes before closing.

EGL 102 - Bustamante/Sedam - Online - Summer 2024

• Essay #2: Argument
• Research resources
• MLA & APA Citations
• Ask a Librarian! Get Research Help This link opens in a new window

About these topics

Argument essay topics for egl 102.

• college “placement” tests

dual enrollment

Guided pathways model, online remedial/general level math, open education resources (oer).

• “in loco parentis”
• free tuition
• STEM grants & scholarships

faculty tenure

• mental health counselors & programs

AI in the classroom

College "placement" tests.

Possible arguments: Whether or not to eliminate college “placement” tests.

Proponents vs. Opponents: Placement tests can be considered “high stakes” tests because if a student does poorly on these tests, the student might be placed in a remedial class. This means the student will pay more tuition and take longer to graduate as remedial classes do not earn college credit. However, many educators believe placements tests are necessary to pinpoint those students who may need extra help to succeed.

Suggested Search Terms:

• Developmental or remedial education
• College placement or entrance tests
• Rates of persistence + developmental education
• Retention rates + developmental education

Source: Class handout "Argument Topics for EGL 102"

Possible arguments: Whether or not high schools and community colleges should encourage “dual enrollment”

Proponents vs. Opponents: Dual enrollment allows high school juniors and seniors to enroll in college classes and earn college credit. Proponents say this will close the gap between high school and college giving students a peek into what college is like. Opponents worry that if the student isn’t ready, and does poorly, this is reflected on their college transcript. The poor grade on the transcript may also hurt the student’s ability to be accepted into a college.

• Dual enrollment
• Concurrent enrollment

Possible arguments: Whether or not to require the “Guided Pathways to Success” model for all students.

Proponents vs. Opponents: The Guided Pathways to Success model (GPS) gets students to declare a major, the college then picks the courses they need, and the student goes through a guided schedule with fellow majors each semester. Studies indicate that students tend to be unsure about what classes to take and how to graduate in a timely manner. Still opponents wonder if this model will diminish a student’s ability to explore classes and different majors before committing to a major.

• Guided Pathways to Success (GPS)
• Guided pathways
• On-time graduation
• Rates of completion
• Retention rates
• Rates of persistence

Possible arguments: Whether or not to teach remedial and general level math classes MAINLY using an online interactive program such as MyMathLab (all one word) or ALEKS

Proponents vs. Opponents: These programs have gotten very popular on many college campuses because students can go at their own pace, review the lesson more than once, and work in increments, yet not all students learn best while solely working on a computer. Proponents of developmental education feel that students with learning challenges do not prosper in this environment.

• Developmental math programs
• Accelerated developmental math
• Online interactive teaching platforms

Possible arguments: Whether or not to offer Open Education Resources or OER in order to provide free access to textbooks.

Proponents vs. Opponents: Textbooks are expensive and students have always had problems paying for them. Textbooks, however, have had an important place in learning and studying.  Students can highlight and mark pages. Still, does the added expense keep some students from buying and using them thus jeopardizing their ability to pass the course?

• Open Access
• Open Education Resources or OER
• Cost of textbooks
• Merlot Open textbooks

“in loco parentis”

Possible arguments:   Whether or not go away colleges should enact “in loco parentis” which allows colleges to decide what is best for students with the purpose of acting as a parent 

Proponents vs. Opponents: When students go away to college, they often do things their parents would not approve of. Colleges have begun to put “in loco parentis” into action deciding what students can and cannot do (also where they can and cannot go).  Proponents feel this keeps students out of trouble.  Opponents argue that too many of the students’ rights are being taken away.  

• in loco parentis

Possible arguments: Whether or not community college tuition should be free nation-wide.

Proponents vs. Opponents: Obama recently made this proposal and noted many benefits, but opponents are worried about the costs to taxpayers along with whether or not colleges can effectively serve a higher number of students.

• Free community college
• America’s College Promise
• Cost of college tuition + rates of attrition
• tuition-free
• affordable tuition
• tuition rebate
• tuition costs

STEM grants & scholarships

Possible arguments: Whether or not STEM students should receive more grants and scholarships because they are majoring in a field for which America has designated a need.

Proponents v. Opponents: STEM majors tend to get more grants and scholarships because America values these majors (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Also, American students seem to need motivation to take on these demanding majors. Still critics ask, why do STEM majors get significant financial help when other college majors do not?

• STEM for college students
• STEM and financial aid
• STEM and scholarships

Possible arguments: Whether or not tenure should continue to be granted to college and university faculty..

Proponents vs. Opponents: Tenure grants the faculty member a guaranteed lifetime job.  Once a faculty member has tenure, it is nearly impossible to fire them.  Faculty feel tenure allows them to be fearless in the classroom.  Faculty can broach uncomfortable topics in the classroom without fear of a student complaint leading to them being fired. Critics feel tenure creates lazy faculty who no longer strive for excellence knowing they can’t be fired.

• Tenure in Higher Education

mental health counselors & programs

Possible arguments: Whether or not to provide more mental health counselors and programs for students

Proponents vs. Opponents: Mental health counselors are often just a few licensed practitioners on campus.  The demand by students to see them has been growing significantly.  Colleges and universities have been slow to hire more as the cost is expensive.  Opponents worry about the effect on the cost of tuition.  Proponents believe a mental health crisis is being ignored.

• Mental health crisis in colleges and universities
• demand for mental health programs in higher education

Possible arguments: Whether or not to allow AI aka ChatGPT into the classroom. Can this program be used responsibly by college students or is it a way to cheat?

Proponents v. Opponents: ChatGPT has been on the minds of educators since its inception and presentation to the public. Can it help with brainstorming? Can it write a whole paper? Does it plagiarize from online copyrighted materials? Will it make students dependent on it? Should educators just embrace it for it does not seem to be going away anytime soon.

• AI chatbots
• Google’s Bard
• LLM’s (large language models)

What do you want to write about? Use these resources to identify questions

• Chronicle of Higher Education This link opens in a new window Includes college and university news, information, and announcements from September 1989 to present.
• Opposing Viewpoints in Context This link opens in a new window Database of contemporary social issues with content structured to promote critical-thinking skills. It contains reference book titles, pro and con viewpoint articles, and a variety of periodicals, podcasts, reviewed Web links, images, statistical tables, charts, and graphs.
• Community College Research Center (CCRC) As a leader in community college research and reform, CCRC produces information used by practitioners and policymakers to improve student outcomes.
• Academic Search Complete EBSCO This link opens in a new window Provides a comprehensive scholarly, multi-disciplinary full-text database, with more than 8,500 full-text periodicals - of which more than 7,300 are peer-reviewed journals.
• CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window Each issue examines a single "hot" topic with comments from experts, lawmakers and citizens on all sides of every issue. Includes charts, graphs and sidebar articles -- plus a pro-con feature, a chronology, lengthy bibliographies and a list of contacts.
• ERIC Education Resources EBSCO This link opens in a new window ERIC, the Education Resource Information Center, provides access to education journal articles, research reports, curriculum and teaching guides, conference papers, dissertations & theses, and books.
• SocINDEX Full Text EBSCO This link opens in a new window Provides more than 860 full-text titles including core sociology peer-reviewed journals.
• USA.gov The mission of USA.gov is to "create and organize timely, needed government information and services and make them accessible to the public anytime, anywhere." Good for: STEM; free community college tuition; placement test alternatives.
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• Last Updated: Jun 22, 2024 12:13 PM
• URL: https://researchguides.oakton.edu/EGL102Bustamante_SedamOnlineSummer2024

WritePlacer Essay Guide

During the ACCUPLACER test, you will have to take the WritePlacer exam, which requires you to write an essay. Your essay will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Purpose and focus
• Organization and structure
• Development and support
• Sentence variety and style
• Mechanical Conventions
• Critical thinking

You will have 1 hour to plan, write, and proofread this essay.

Your Accuplacer essay is only required to be 300–600 words in length, so a simple 5 paragraph essay will be more than sufficient. Scores on WritePlacer range from 1 to 8, with 8 being the highest.

An essay that is too short to be evaluated, written on a topic other than the one presented, or written in a language other than English will be given a score of zero.

The biggest differences between a low-scoring and a high-scoring essay is LENGTH and CLARITY. Aim to achieve multiple paragraphs with good organization, and this essay should be fairly easy!

WritePlacer Tips and Strategies

• This essay DOES NOT require you to have any outside knowledge. The essay will be based off a provided prompt meant to spark your creativity. Everything you need to answer the question will be part of the prompt!
• You must take a clear stance. Unlike real life where most of our opinions are a mix of gray, the ACCUPLACER essay requires you to take a strong stance on the issue provided in the prompt. Essays that don’t take a clear stance will score low on the rubric.
• Your stance doesn’t affect your score. The test is not steering you to one side of the argument or another. The side you choose doesn’t matter; what matters is how well you craft your argument.
• Don’t change your stance. Part of taking a clear stance means following it through to the end of the response. Even if you are struggling with the stance you chose, work your way to the end.
• Be specific in your argument. As long as you can argue logically that it supports your thesis, no example is “too” specific. One of the biggest issues that writers have with the WritePlacer exam is being too vague and general. If you are using an example from personal experience, using some names, dates, places, and other concrete details can go a long way. Try to avoid hypothetical examples as well.
• Incorporate a counter-argument. While you need to take a clear stance, that doesn’t mean you have to ignore the other side of the argument. The best writers take the opposing side into account before criticizing it and effectively securing their stance as the correct one. This is a great tool to use in your conclusion, although many students include it in an additional body paragraph.
• Keep the introduction and conclusion brief . Don’t take forever to get to the topic. The function of an introductory paragraph is to introduce the reader to the topic in the prompt, and then to clearly and forcefully state your position on it. This should be done in no more than 3–4 sentences. In the conclusion, 1–2 sentences are enough to reiterate your position and leave the essay with a closing idea. Save the bulk of your writing-time for your body paragraphs!
• Use Transition Words . Scroll down to the bottom of this article to see a good list of common transition words. Be sure to use them as you move between paragraphs! Always make sure the reader will understand why you are moving from one paragraph to the next paragraph!

WritePlacer Template

This is a sample outline for the ACCUPLACER Essay. Notice we are aiming for 5 paragraphs total. You may opt for a shorter 4 paragraph version if 5 paragraphs are too many for you to write, but aim for 5 paragraphs if you can. If you have trouble completing 5 paragraphs, see if you can streamline your body paragraphs. They can often be bloated with unnecessary wordiness. Keep the introduction and the conclusion short and sweet.

Paragraph 1 — Introduction (3–4 sentences)

You will want to begin your essay with one of the following:

• a generalization about the topic,
• a quotation,
• a short anecdote to set-up the correctness of your position,
• a historical framework,
• or a piece of news illustrating the contemporariness of the issue.

Admit to the complexity of the issue. You have two goals in the beginning part of the essay: to introduce the  topic , and to express your  opinion  on it. Be sure to place your thesis as the final sentence in your introduction.

Paragraph 2 — First Example (4–6 sentences)

Start with your most-powerful or relevant example. Remember that you won’t have any material to work from, so it’s OK that you don’t have direct quotes, statistics, or other incredibly specific details in your examples. However, be as specific as you can be about how your example supports your position. Anything can be an example, but choose ONE only for each paragraph. It needs to be something you are knowledgeable about and also something that you believe strongly supports your thesis. You have three tasks in your body paragraphs:

• Introduce your example (history, science, politics, business, entertainment, pop culture, current events, personal experience, etc).
• Describe your example as specifically as you can (do not make up fact/statistics; readers can usually tell when you’re making something up).
• Explain how it fully supports your thesis. This is the most important step and should be your main focus. This is where you prove your point.

You should be spending the majority of your body paragraph accomplishing the third step:  explaining how it fully supports your thesis . Aim to convince the reader through very concrete details how your position on the issue is correct.

Paragraph 3 — Second Example (4–6 sentences)

Use a transition phrase to introduce the second example, and then follow the same format as the previous paragraph with your new example. It’s OK to mention your first example, but the main focus of your paragraph should be on the new example, and, most importantly, how the new example proves your thesis.

Paragraph 4 — Third Example (4–6 sentences)

Use another transition phrase to introduce your third example. Then, follow the same format as the previous two paragraphs. Again, make sure the focus of your paragraph is on your new example and how it proves your thesis.

Paragraph 5 —  Conclusion (2–4 sentences)

Many writers struggle with the conclusion. A good way to end your essay is with a counter-argument. Introduce an opposing opinion, explain it in general terms, then refute it. Finish the paragraph by reinforcing the correctness of your own stance. Here’s how it might look:

Despite the fact that                     , some people will argue that                     . However,                     (refute the opposing viewpoint as wrong and/or shortsighted) . Instead,                     (discuss how your viewpoint is more valid than the viewpoint of the opposition ). Therefore,                     (leave the reader thinking about how correct your stance is) .

ACCUPLACER Essay Practice

Be sure to write at least 2 sample essays before your exam. This will help you sharpen your skills and ensure that you are comfortable with the format. Have a teacher, friend, or mentor read through your exam and give you feedback. Use the links below to find our 2 practice ACCUPLACER essay prompts. As you write your practice essays try to follow the above template to the best of your ability:

Practice Essay 1

Practice Essay 2

Transition Words List

Agreement Words

• in the first place
• not only … but also
• as a matter of fact
• in like manner
• in addition
• coupled with
• in the same fashion / way
• first, second, third
• in the light of

Opposition Words

• in contrast
• different from
• of course …, but
• on the other hand
• on the contrary
• at the same time
• in spite of
• (and) still

Causation Words

• in the event that
• for the purpose of
• with this intention
• with this in mind
• in the hope that
• in order to
• … then

Example Words

• in other words
• to put it differently
• for one thing
• as an illustration
• in this case
• for this reason
• to put it another way
• that is to say
• with attention to

More Resources

We have plenty of additional resources to help you with your Accuplacer test prep. Check out both of our practice essays for more WritePlacer practice, or head over to our home page for a full-length practice test.

Accuplacer Practice Test

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English Placement Test (EPT)

Why do students need to take the ept.

• Some students are very proficient in oral communication skills but cannot yet write at an academic level.
• Some students score well on standardized tests, such as IELTS or TOEFL, but they cannot write an academic essay to the level required by their FDU professors. Therefore, without academic writing support, they may receive poor or failing grades.
• Poor or failing grades in one or more courses will negatively affect a student’s GPA and scholarship and may affect the ability to graduate.
• Failing a course will mean increased time and expenditures on course work, and it will also lead to increased stress and anxiety.

What Is The EPT?

• The test provides a prompt: a short paragraph that describes a specific controversial statement.
• You will write an  argumentative essay that takes a position on the topic given in the prompt.
• You will give a series of arguments that support your position on the issue.
• The supportive details can be common knowledge or knowledge gained from your experiences in academic, professional or personal life.

How Is The EPT Conducted?

• The EPT is conducted online via Zoom .
• The EPT uses Microsoft’s online platform Office 365 (Word).
• The EPT is 70 minutes long.

The EPT Example

Below is an example of how the various parts of an essay can be structured to complete the assigned task. Your goal is to demonstrate that you understand the topic and can develop an appropriate framework for responding to the prompt.

• English Placement Test Example

How Should You Structure Your Written Response?

Create an outline of the essay before you write. Consider the topic and the outline when you write the introduction. Review the introduction and your topic sentences to prepare the conclusion.

Introduction (1 paragraph)

• This paragraph introduces the topic, providing context or background of the controversy.
• Do not use broad generalizations about the topic but create a focus that leads the reader to the thesis.
• The thesis provides a clear statement of your position on this issue.
• The thesis should control the content (information, evidence, and examples) that is given as support in the body paragraphs.

Body (3 – 5 paragraphs)

• Organize the points you will make in an order that makes sense and creates a strong argument.
• In one paragraph, include one idea from the opposing viewpoint. Then argue against that view, providing evidence to show why your position is the correct one.
• Express your judgment, not your opinion. Judgment is based on evidence; therefore, use the available evidence to establish a valid conclusion.
• Use a variety of evidence types: information and anecdotal evidence as well as personal experiences and observations.
• Create clear and meaningful connections throughout your paragraphs.
• Relate each paragraph explicitly to your position expressed in the thesis. If something does not relate, remove it.

Conclusion (1 paragraph)

• Remind the reader of the issue and its relevance.
• Summarize the argument(s) made, without being repetitive, and reinforce your position.

How Is Your EPT Essay Evaluated?

This test measures your ability to write effectively, which is a skill critical to your academic success. Your writing is evaluated on its  content ,  organization,  and  language , as explained below.

CONTENT: The extent to which the essay demonstrates understanding and writing skill in

• completes the task (persuasive essay)
• provides reasonable, well-chosen argument and relevant main ideas that control the details
• expresses your own ideas
• makes the controlling argument and main ideas clear
• uses relevant, insightful, and balanced supporting evidence to develop the ideas
• does not use famous quotes or fabricated data as ‘proof’

ORGANIZATION: The extent to which your writing is

• the introduction effectively presents the controlling idea, which orients the reader to the purpose, the topic and the position
• body paragraphs maintain and support the position by using topic sentences that control the evidence provided
• the concluding paragraph reinforces the stated position and provides closure
• the main points are given explicitly and are supported by details that clarify, explain, and reassert
• sentences are carefully constructed to be clear and to follow one another in a logical or reasonable order to create a flow of ideas
• paragraphs are logically and meaningfully connected to create unity of thought

LANGUAGE: The extent to which your written English is

• suitable for academic writing, not conversational
• reflective of the task
• distanced from the audience
• concise – e.g., avoiding wordiness and repetition
• clear – e.g., using suitable word choices
• sentence forms – e.g., complete sentences; balance of types (simple/complex; varied lengths and structures)
• grammar and mechanics – e.g., proper use of verb/word forms, subject-verb agreement, articles; commas and periods

What Score Do You Need?

You must score a minimum of  15 out of 18 points  to pursue a full range of courses at the FDU – Vancouver campus.

What If You Don’t Achieve The Minimum Score?

• If you score between 11 and 14 points, you will be required to take academic writing courses in either the Pre-University Program or in the  Pre-Master’s Program
• Successful completion of these academic writing courses means you are eligible to take a regular course load in the next trimester
• If you score less than 11.5 points, you will be required to take a Pathway Program with a Pathway Partner  Institution  off-campus. Once you have successfully completed the pathway program, you will then enter either the Pre-University Program or the  Pre-Master’s Program in the following trimester.

When Will I Receive My Result?

• Results are sent on Mondays and Wednesdays.
• Results are not sent during weekends, statutory holidays, and campus closure days. 
• when the volume is high during busy times (e.g. orientation, mid-terms, finals etc.)
• when the result is indecisive and needs 
• Results will be graded within 5 – 7 business days. The grading phase starts the day after your initial test date (delays are subject to bullet point 2). Results are sent no later than 1 business day after the completion of the grading phase.

How Long Is My EPT Result Valid?

Your test result is valid for 2 years from the date of the test if you scored between 11 – 14. If you scored 15+ your test score will not expire.

Can I Re-Take My EPT?

You can take the EPT twice after the original test. The test can only be taken after 2 months of the latest test date.

Can I Be Exempted From Taking The EPT?

For EPT exemption conditions, please click here .

Math Placement Test (MPT)

Why do students need to take the mpt.

• Student placement in math courses is determined by completing the Accuplacer assessments.
• Only undergraduate students are required to take the MPT.

What Is The MPT?

• Student Accuplacer math assessments: Next-Generation Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS).
• The assessment is has 20 multiple-choice questions and 2 samples questions.
• The MPT is 50 minutes long.
• The assessments are adaptive, which means that the computer automatically determines the next questions based on responses to prior questions. Therefore, once an answer has been selected and confirmed, the question is complete and cannot be revisited.

MPT Example

Below is an example of how the various parts of the math multiple choice questions that are provided to complete the assigned task. Your goal is to demonstrate that you understand topics such as Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics and can develop an appropriate framework for responding to the prompt.

• Next-Generation Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS)

EPT & MPT Academic Regulations

I acknowledge that any misrepresentation or falsification of documentation or information will result in the cancellation of admission or registration, or dismissal from the University. Misrepresentation includes any infringements of the  Academic Integrity Policy , such as incidents of plagiarism on the Statement of Purpose, on the English Placement Test and Math Placement Test.

Questions About The EPT & MPT? 

• Please contact  [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to receive the booking instructions for an English Placement Test [EPT] and/or Math Placement Test [MPT]. If you have paid and taken the EPT and/or MPT the test fee is not refundable.
• You are allowed to request a refund on your EPT/MPT booking if you cancel it 24 hours prior to your scheduled test date and set time. Cancellation requests made within 24 hours of the test date and time are not eligible for a refund.

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Creative ideas: College placement test essay topics

At different points in your studying, you may need to complete a placement test that aims at showing your level of skills on a particular subject. This may be needed for your transition to a language group or for estimating whether you should take additional math courses. Placement tests often consist of two parts: multiple choices and a creative writing task. You may be asked to compose an essay and demonstrate your deep knowledge of the topic in it. However, it can be hard to come up with good college placement test essay topics right on the spot, especially in the conditions of limited time and great responsibility. Therefore, it is useful to design some of the topics beforehand and prepare some theses to use in your future paper. 

To write a decent essay, you need to know the required material really well. Then, once you receive the prompts for writing, you will be able to deal with any theme. Before starting to write the essay itself, try to analyze your topic and see what ideas it contains. Use the brainstorming technique if needed, and note down some key theses that can be included in your paper. As a rule, the college placement test essay topics contain a controversial idea that you need to address. In such cases, you have to take a clear position regarding the issue and defend it with convincing arguments. Thus, before writing, make sure to make up your mind and think how you can prove your point of view effectively. It is better to write down all the facts and arguments that can contribute to your discourse. 

In the conditions of placement test, you will not have time to write a lengthy paper, so it is advisable to use a five-paragraph structure for your essay. Classically, they include introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion. You should place the thesis statement at the end of the opening paragraph, making it clear what your essay will try to prove. Then, every paragraph of the essay body should start with an idea that proves or supports the provided argument, and the following sentences should contain the evidence. In fact, not a single sentence of your paper should stand on its own: they all should serve the purpose of confirming the thesis statement. 

Proofreading

When you compose a great piece of writing, it is sure annoying to lose points over some minor errors like typos or formatting mistakes. Therefore, a special attention should be paid to the proofreading phase of work. Check your paper’s structure, grammar, punctuation, word choice, spelling, and format, correcting the mistakes you notice. In addition, make sure that the text is coherent, which means that all the paragraphs are linked one to another by meaning and appropriate linguistic tools. 

Time management

The biggest mistake of everyone dealing with different college placement test essay topics is failing to plan their time properly. At the test, you will have a very limited amount of time, and all your knowledge and mastery will not mean a thing if you do not have enough time to demonstrate them. Thus, the first thing you need to do before working on your essay is to set clear timeframes for each of your work stages. For instance, if you are given 60 minutes to do your task, give yourself 10 minutes for prewriting, 30 minutes for writing, 10 minutes for proofreading, and additional 10 minutes just in case one of the phases takes up longer than planned. 

For you to have an understanding what the college placement test essay topics can look like, we have prepared some examples below.

Ideas for college placement test essay

Social issues.

You may be asked to analyze the current problems of your local community or educational establishment and reflect on them:

• What is the social issue of your community that requires the fastest solutions?
• If you were a president of students’ government, what changes would you make in the colleges policies?
• What do you think the education should raise the nation’s awareness about?

Personal achievements

One of the most common topics for placement tests is describing the successful moments of your studying or career:

• Did you ever have to organize a group of people and take the leader’s position? Describe your experience.
• Which traces of your character do you think people value the most? Why?
• What are the situations of utmost success you have been in? 

See also:  “Tips on passing numerical reasoning test”

Important figures

Making an impression about a student is easier with some information about his or her background and the people who were near. Therefore, an essay on one of the following topics may be required:

• Who of your surrounding has impacted your career choice the most? Explain how.
• Does one’s family influence one’s success in life? Share your story.
• Is teacher’s personality decisive for one’s studying success? Who is your favorite teacher?

Planning future

To test your enthusiasm and willingness to improve, you may be asked to address one of the topics below:

• What are your long-term goals? Why are they important to you? Which steps are you taking now to achieve them?
• What are your personal criteria of one’s success? Do you think your life will match them in 20 years? 

Although it is impossible to predict which topics will be given to you, knowing the basics of the test and being prepared is always useful.

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