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    Ability-To-Benefit

    All New York State residents who have a foreign high school diploma are required to meet the New York State ATB standards to be eligible for New York State Financial Aid awards, including those under the state’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Students are required to meet the scores listed on the following Ability-to-Benefit (ATB) test requirements:

    Ability-to-Benefit Test Required Scores

    First-time New York State financial aid recipients must meet or exceed all of the following minimum cut scores on the Reading, Writing and Arithmetic modules of Accuplacer – Next-Generation.

    Module Required Scores
    (Next Generation)
    Reading, Next-Generation 233 – 300
    Writing, Next-Generation 235 – 300
    Arithmetic, Next-Generation 230 – 300

    The following minimum cut scores on the Reading Comprehension, Sentence Skills and Arithmetic modules of Accuplacer – Classic were required for students who attempted the Ability-to-Benefit examination during the period of December 2016 to September 27, 2020. As of September 28, 2020, these modules are no longer being offered. Students who did not meet the required minimum score will be required to take the equivalent Next Generation module as listed in the table below.

    Module Required Scores (Classic Modules) Next Generation Modules
    Reading Comprehension, Classic 55 – 120 Reading, Next Generation
    Sentence Skills, Classic 60 – 120 Writing, Next Generation
    Arithmetic, Classic 34 – 120 Arithmetic, Next Generation

    The Office of Testing and Evaluation will notify students who are required to take the examination, and provide information regarding the testing appointment.

    Ability-to-Benefit Examination Format

    The ATB examination is computer adaptive; each question is selected based on the response to the prior item, making the testing process efficient, fast and secure.

    Ability-to-Benefit Modules

    ATB Reading, Next-Generation

    The Ability-to-Benefit Reading (Next Generation) module consists of 20 questions that are based on reading passages of various lengths that measure the following broad knowledge and skill categories:

    • Information and ideas (reading closely, determining central ideas and themes, summarizing, understanding relationships)
    • Rhetoric (analyzing word choice rhetorically, analyzing text structure, analyzing point of view, analyzing purpose, analyzing arguments)
    • Synthesis (analyzing multiple texts)
    • Vocabulary

    The average time that a student takes to complete this module is approximately 30 to 60 minutes.

    AccuPlacer ATB Next-Generation Reading Sample Questions

    ATB Writing, Next-Generation

    The Ability-to-Benefit Writing module consists of 25 questions that require students to identify and correct errors in a passage; or improve the passage’s readability.

    The average time that a student takes to complete this module is approximately 20 to 40 minutes.

    AccuPlacer ATB Next-Generation Writing Sample Questions

    ATB Arithmetic, Next-Generation

    The Ability-to-Benefit Arithmetic module consists of 20 questions that are divided into the following topic areas:

    • Whole number operations
    • Fraction operations
    • Decimal operations
    • Percent
    • Number comparison and equivalents

    The average time that a student takes to complete this module is approximately 30 to 50 minutes.

    The use of a physical calculator is not permitted during the Ability-to-Benefit Arithmetic module. For questions where a calculator may be used, the testing system will provide a calculator on screen.

    AccuPlacer ATB Next-Generation Arithmetic Sample Questions

    Retest Information

    Effective September 6, 2022, there must be a fourteen (14) day waiting period between the initial test and the retest.

    Test Preparation

    Study Guides/Sample Questions

    ACCUPLACER Web-Based Study App

    AccuPlacer ATB Next-Generation Reading Sample Questions

    AccuPlacer ATB Next-Generation Writing Sample Questions

    AccuPlacer ATB Next-Generation Arithmetic Sample Questions

    Accommodations

    Accommodations based on disabilities will be granted to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students who wish to request such accommodations should consult with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities in advance of their testing appointment for assistance.

    Students with an approved accommodations request that are unable to take the Ability-to-Benefit examination using the Computer Adaptive Testing version, may be eligible to take the examination using the Accuplacer COMPANION paper-based examination. Please note that because the Accuplacer COMPANION versions are not adaptive they may contain additional questions.


    Office of Testing & Evaluation One Bernard Baruch Way, B5-220 646.312.4305
    testing.evaluation@baruch.cuny.edu
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