ACCUPLACER Writing Practice Test
Updated October 27, 2026
The ACCUPLACER Writing test has 25 questions. You read short drafts and choose the best way to revise and edit them: fixing grammar and punctuation, improving sentences, and organizing ideas clearly. Colleges use the score to place you into English or writing courses. Try the free questions below.
What ACCUPLACER Writing covers
- Expression of ideas: organization, transitions, development and precise word choice.
- Standard English conventions: sentence boundaries, agreement, verb tense, pronouns, punctuation and modifiers.
Free ACCUPLACER Writing practice questions
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Which version of the sentence is correct? "The students finished their project early, they went to lunch."Answer: CThe original is a comma splice. Adding "so" after the comma correctly joins the two complete sentences.
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Choose the correct verb: "The list of required books ___ posted online."Answer: DThe subject is "list," which is singular, so the verb is "is." "Of required books" doesn't change the subject.
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Which transition best fits? "Online classes offer flexibility. ___, some students miss the structure of a classroom."Answer: AThe second sentence contrasts with the first, so a contrast transition like "However" fits.
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Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?Answer: B"Dogs'" shows the toys belong to more than one dog. "It's" means "it is," and plurals like "dogs" don't take an apostrophe.
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Which sentence has a misplaced modifier?Answer: C"Running for the bus" seems to describe the keys, which can't run. The modifier should be next to the person doing the action.
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Which word is most precise? "The new policy will ___ the number of late assignments."Answer: D"Reduce" says exactly what the policy will do. The other choices are vague.
Tips
Read the whole sentence, and often the sentences around it, before choosing. The best answer is usually the clearest and most concise version that’s grammatically correct and fits the paragraph’s meaning. See also the Reading practice test.
Place into the college courses you want
- All 180 questions for Arithmetic, QAS, Advanced Algebra and Functions, Reading and Writing
- An explanation for every answer, with the working shown for math
- Unlimited practice tests for each placement test, the same length as the real one