Placement Testing
What are placement tests?
Placement tests are for students who have already been admitted to Hawaii Pacific University, and they enable us to determine which courses you need in order to progress and succeed in your studies. They are not entrance exams, and test results do not affect admission.
Depending on your declared major, you will need to take a writing test, a math test or both. The voucher that was sent to you was assigned for writing, math, or both depending on the major you selected when you applied.
Placement Test Requirements by Major:
Writing Placement Test: All Majors
Math Placement Test: Business Administration, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Mathematics, Oceanography
Residential Honors students are exempt from the English Writing placement assessment.
ACT and SAT Scores:
Depending on ACT, SAT, or other test results, you may be exempt from placement testing. Please review our placement guide, and contact advising@hpu.edu if you believe you may be exempt.
Students accepted into Hawaii Pacific University Military Campus Programs may take their placement exams from a participating testing center or by Remote Proctoring through HPU.
Remote Proctoring for Math or Writing Through HPU (No cost)
- Schedule a date and time for your placement exam through RegisterBlast
- HPU Remote Proctoring is offered at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM Hawaiian Standard Time.
- Once your test is confirmed, you will receive a voucher number, Zoom Meeting URL, password, and meeting ID
- Before your test you will need to:
- Go to the Zoom website and download and install Zoom
- Check to see if your computer meets the technical requirements to run ACCUPLACER
- Laptop and desktop computers only
- Tablet computers are not compatible with certain required Zoom features
Testing Center
- Locate a nearby participating testing center through Accuplacer's Test Center Locator.
- Contact our office and provide the following:
- Your name and student ID number (@03XXXXXX)
- Test center, or institution, name
- Assessments you wish to take
A voucher will be issued and sent through email to cover the cost of the exam. You are responsible for any additional fees. Please notify us once you have completed your assessments.
Please direct any procedural questions to the Assessment Specialist in the Center for Academic Success at (808) 544-9334, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (HAST), or email assessment@hpu.edu.
Registration
Schedule a date and time for your placement exam through RegisterBlast
Location
On- Campus Placement exams are generally administered in the Center for Academic Success on the downtown campus:
500 Ala Moana Boulevard, Waterfront Plaza Building 6, Suite 440
Honolulu, HI 96813
Downtown Campus Map
What to Bring
- Please bring a picture ID- Test proctors may refuse admittance to those without a photo ID
- Please do not bring: cellular phones, calculators, dictionaries or other aids
- Paper and #2 pencils will be provided
Parking (based on 2 hours)
- South Street Garage: 564 Pohukaina Street (Est. $2)
- Makai Garage: 530 Halekauwila Street (Est. $2)
- Waterfront Plaza Garage: Accessible from South and Pohukaina Street (Est. $12)
Unfortunately, we do not validate parking
Prepare for your test
We highly recommend that you take some time to prepare PRIOR to testing. Placing higher equates to time and money saved, usually $2,000 - $3,000 per class. The following resources should be helpful:
- Information about the math and writing placement exams
- Study guides
- Practice exams
- Review key concepts, especially in math
Tutoring services
If you live on Oahu, HPU offers tutoring services to help you prepare for your college placement exams. Come in to the Center for Academic Success (CAS) and work with a tutor to review key concepts. The CAS can be reached by email at tutoring@hpu.edu or by phone at 808-544-9334.
Test Length and Administration
- Accuplacer English Writing Exam
TIME: 50 minutes
This is an essay typed on a computer. You will be given a short essay prompt and asked to compose a well-organized, cohesive essay of 300-600 words. - Accuplacer Math Placement Exam
TIME: Un-timed
Total time could range from 1.5 to 2.5 hours. You will be provided paper for making calculations, which will be collected at the end of the test. No calculator is permitted. - Modern Language Placement Exam
TIME: 90-100 minutes
Placement tests are available for French, Hawaiian, Korean, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish.
Test Results
Placement Test results are usually available immediately with rare delays.