accuplacer arithmetic full length practice test

Commonly used by colleges and universities to place students into appropriate courses.

At the Crest Coffee Shop, the cost of a plain bagel was $0.75 last year. This year the cost of a plain bagel is $0.90. By what percent did the cost of a plain bagel increase from last year to this year?
  • A. 10%
  • B. 15%
  • C. 17%
  • D. 20%
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To determine the percent increase in the cost of a plain bagel, the formula used is: \[ \text{Percent Increase} = \left( \frac{\text{New Price} - \text{Old Price}}{\text{Old Price}} \right) \times 100 \] Substituting the given values: \[ \text{Percent Increase} = \left( \frac{0.90 - 0.75}{0.75} \right) \times 100 = \left( \frac{0.15}{0.75} \right) \times 100 = 20\% \] Option A (10%) underestimates the increase, while B (15%) and C (17%) also fail to reflect the correct calculation. Therefore, the accurate calculation confirms a 20% increase in cost.

Other Related Questions

Which of the four labeled points on the number line above has coordinate-?
Question image
  • A. A
  • B. B
  • C. C
  • D. D
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Point B is positioned at the coordinate -2 on the number line, making it the accurate choice. Point A is located at -1, which is not the specified coordinate. Point C is at 0, representing the origin, and thus does not match the target coordinate. Point D is found at 1, clearly outside the negative range required. Each of these points is distinctly marked, confirming that only Point B aligns with the coordinate of -2. This clarity in placement reinforces the understanding of negative values on a number line.
The large square above has sides of length 1. It is divided into smaller squares by dividing each side into 10 equal parts. In the figure, 3 full rows and 4 smaller squares in the next row are shaded. What is the area of the shaded region?
Question image
  • A. 0.34
  • B. 0.37
  • C. 0.43
  • D. 0.7
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To determine the area of the shaded region, first note that the large square has a side length of 1, resulting in a total area of 1 square unit. Each side is divided into 10 equal parts, creating a grid of 100 smaller squares, each with an area of 0.01 (1/100). In the figure, 3 full rows of squares are shaded, which accounts for 30 squares (3 rows x 10 squares per row). Additionally, 4 squares are shaded in the fourth row, bringing the total shaded squares to 34. Thus, the area of the shaded region is 34 squares x 0.01 = 0.34. Option B (0.37) incorrectly suggests 37 squares shaded. Option C (0.43) implies 43 squares, which is not possible given the shading described. Option D (0.7) overestimates the shaded area, miscounting the total squares shaded.
½% of 20 is?
  • A. 1/10
  • B. 1/4
  • C. 5
  • D. 10
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To find ½% of 20, convert ½% to a decimal: ½% = 0.005. Then, multiply 0.005 by 20, resulting in 0.1. This value can be expressed as a fraction: 0.1 = 1/10, which corresponds to option A. Option B (1/4) equals 0.25, which is larger than ½% of 20. Option C (5) and option D (10) are significantly higher than 0.1. Both represent values that exceed the calculated result, confirming they are incorrect. Thus, option A is the only choice that accurately reflects ½% of 20.
Harriet took 48 minutes to ride her bike the distance from her house to the town library. If she rode at a constant rate, what fraction of the total distance did she ride in the first 12 minutes?
  • A. 1/4
  • B. 1/3
  • C. 1/2
  • D. 3/4
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To determine the fraction of the total distance Harriet rode in the first 12 minutes, we start by recognizing that she took 48 minutes for the entire trip. Riding at a constant rate means that her distance covered is proportional to the time spent riding. In 12 minutes, which is one-fourth of the total 48 minutes, she would have covered one-fourth of the total distance. Thus, the fraction of the total distance she rode in the first 12 minutes is 1/4. Options B (1/3), C (1/2), and D (3/4) misrepresent the proportion of time to total time. Each suggests a greater fraction than what corresponds to 12 minutes relative to 48 minutes, leading to incorrect conclusions about the distance covered.