free accuplacer arithmetic practice test

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

John worked at a bookstore for two weeks. The second week he earned 20 percent more than he did the first week. If he earned $300 the second week, how much did he earn the first week?
  • A. 240
  • B. 250
  • C. 280
  • D. 380
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To determine John’s earnings for the first week, we know that his second week earnings were 20% more than the first week. If he earned $300 in the second week, we can calculate his first week earnings by setting up the equation: Let x be the first week’s earnings. Then, x + 0.2x = 300. This simplifies to 1.2x = 300. Dividing both sides by 1.2 gives x = 250. Option A ($240) is too low, as it would not result in a $300 second week. Option C ($280) would imply a second week earning of $336, which exceeds $300. Option D ($380) is also incorrect as it suggests a second week earning of $456. Thus, $250 is the only viable answer.

Other Related Questions

2,3/8 + 5,5/6 =
  • A. 7,5/24
  • B. 7,4/7
  • C. 8,5/24
  • D. 8,4/7
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To solve 2,3/8 + 5,5/6, first convert the mixed numbers into improper fractions. For 2,3/8, this becomes (2 * 8 + 3)/8 = 19/8. For 5,5/6, it is (5 * 6 + 5)/6 = 35/6. Next, find a common denominator, which is 24. Convert the fractions: 19/8 becomes 57/24, and 35/6 becomes 140/24. Adding these gives 197/24, which converts back to a mixed number as 8,5/24. Options A and B do not match this result. Option D, while close, inaccurately represents the fraction.
Sienna has four times as many DVDs as Teri. Robert has half as many DVDs as Teri. If Robert has 32 DVDs, how many DVDs does Sienna have?
  • A. 4
  • B. 16
  • C. 64
  • D. 256
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To determine how many DVDs Sienna has, start with Robert's count. Since Robert has 32 DVDs and he has half as many as Teri, Teri must have 64 DVDs (32 x 2). Sienna has four times as many DVDs as Teri, so she has 256 DVDs (64 x 4). Option A (4) is incorrect because it underestimates the number of DVDs based on Teri's count. Option B (16) is also incorrect, as it does not align with the calculations derived from Robert's DVDs. Option C (64) mistakenly represents Teri's count rather than Sienna's. Thus, the only valid option reflecting Sienna's total is 256.
A record store sold 100 copies of a CD in January. In February, the store's sales of the CD increased by 10 percent over the January sales. In March, the store sold 20 percent more copies of the CD than it sold in February. How many copies of the CD did the store sell in March?
  • A. 120
  • B. 122
  • C. 130
  • D. 132
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To find the number of CDs sold in March, start with January's sales of 100 copies. February's sales increased by 10%, resulting in 100 + (10% of 100) = 110 copies sold. In March, the store sold 20% more than February's sales: 110 + (20% of 110) = 110 + 22 = 132 copies. Option A (120) incorrectly assumes a lower percentage increase in February. Option B (122) miscalculates the increase in March. Option C (130) underestimates the sales for March by not applying the correct percentage increase. Thus, the accurate calculation leads to 132 copies sold in March.
3 × (1/2 + 1/3) =
  • A. 2,1/2
  • B. 2,5/6
  • C. 3,1/6
  • D. 3,5/6
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To solve 3 × (1/2 + 1/3), first find a common denominator for the fractions 1/2 and 1/3, which is 6. This gives us (3/6 + 2/6) = 5/6. Multiplying by 3 results in 3 × (5/6) = 15/6, which simplifies to 2 1/2 (Option A). Option B (2 5/6) incorrectly adds an extra fraction. Option C (3 1/6) miscalculates the multiplication. Option D (3 5/6) also misinterprets the original problem, leading to an incorrect total. Thus, only Option A accurately represents the solution.