Quiz: Could you handle college?

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Updated: July 3, 2011 1:32PM

Students entering college may have to take one of a number of placement tests to make sure they are ready for college-level work. Here are samples of the types of questions asked:

1) Ben is making wooden toys for the next arts and crafts sale. Each toy costs Ben $1.80 to make. If he sells the toys for $3.00 each, how many will he have to sell to make a profit of exactly $36.00?

A. 12 B. 20 C. 30 D. 60 E. 108

2) A student has earned scores of 87, 81, and 88 on the first 3 of 4 tests. If the student wants an average (arithmetic mean) of exactly 87, what score must she earn on the fourth test?

A. 85 B. 86 C. 87 D. 92 E. 93

3) Pick the clause which is correct.

To walk, biking, and driving are Pat’s favorite ways of getting around.

A. To walk, biking, and driving

B. Walking, biking, and driving

C. To walk, biking, and to drive

D. To walk, to bike, and also driving

4) Although the sandpiper is easily frightened by noise and light, it will bravely resist any force that threatens its nest.

Rewrite, beginning with

The sandpiper is easily frightened by noise and light,

The next words will be

A. but it will bravely resist

B. nevertheless bravely resisting

C. and it will bravely resist

D. even if bravely resisting

5. It is said that a smile is universally understood. And nothing triggers a smile more universally than a taste of sugar. Nearly everyone loves sugar. Infant studies indicate that humans are born with an innate love of sweets. Based on statistics, a lot of people in Great Britain must be smiling because on average, every man, woman, and child in that country consumes 95 pounds of sugar each year.

From this passage it seems safe to conclude that the English

A. do not know that too much sugar is unhealthy.

B. eat desserts at every meal.

C. are fonder of sweets than most people.

D. have more cavities than any other people.

Answers: 1 (C); 2 (D); 3 (B); 4 (A); 5 (C)

Source: COMPASS (ACT); ACCUPLACER (College Board)