accuplacer arithmetic diagnostic practice test

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

Choose the best answer. If necessary, use the paper you were given.
Last year Joan's salary was $18,000. If she receives a $900 raise for this year, what percent of last year's salary is her raise?
  • A. 2%
  • B. 5%
  • C. 20%
  • D. 50%
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To find the percentage of last year's salary that Joan's raise represents, divide the raise amount by last year's salary and then multiply by 100. Here, $900 (raise) divided by $18,000 (last year's salary) equals 0.05. Multiplying by 100 gives 5%, which is the correct answer. Option A (2%) miscalculates the raise as a smaller fraction of the salary. Option C (20%) incorrectly interprets the raise as a larger proportion, perhaps confusing it with a different calculation. Option D (50%) vastly overestimates the raise, suggesting it is half of last year's salary, which is not accurate.

Other Related Questions

Of the following, which is greatest?
  • A. -0.75
  • B. 5/-2
  • C. -3
  • D. -2
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A, -0.75, is the greatest value among the choices since it is the least negative number. Option B, 5/-2, simplifies to -2.5, which is less than -0.75. Option C, -3, is clearly more negative than both -0.75 and -2. Option D, -2, is greater than -3 but still less than -0.75. In summary, -0.75 is the highest value among negative numbers, making it the greatest option in this comparison.
At the factory where he works, Mr. Lopez must make a minimum of 48 circuit boards per day. On Wednesday, he made 60 circuit boards. What percent of the required minimum did he make?
  • A. 125%
  • B. 112%
  • C. 80%
  • D. 25%
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To find the percentage of the required minimum that Mr. Lopez made, divide the number of circuit boards he produced (60) by the minimum required (48) and then multiply by 100. \[ \text{Percentage} = \left(\frac{60}{48}\right) \times 100 = 125\% \] Option A is correct as it reflects that he made 125% of the minimum requirement. Option B (112%) is incorrect because it underestimates his production relative to the minimum. Option C (80%) is also wrong, as it suggests he produced only a fraction of the required amount. Option D (25%) is far too low, indicating a misunderstanding of the basic calculation.
1,500 / (15 + 5) =
  • A. 75
  • B. 130
  • C. 315
  • D. 400
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To solve the expression 1,500 / (15 + 5), first calculate the sum in the parentheses: 15 + 5 equals 20. Next, divide 1,500 by 20. Performing the division gives 1,500 รท 20 = 75, confirming option A as the correct answer. Option B (130) results from an incorrect division or miscalculation. Option C (315) likely stems from misunderstanding the order of operations, possibly miscalculating the sum before division. Option D (400) may arise from mistakenly multiplying instead of dividing. Understanding the correct order of operations is crucial for accurate calculations.
Charlotte is drilling three holes of different sizes in a bird house that she is making. The diameters of the holes are 1(1/2) inches, 1(3/4) inches, and 1(3/8) inches. Which of the following gives the diameters, in inches, in order from least to greatest?
  • A. 1(1/2), 1(3/4), 1(3/8)
  • B. 1(1/2), 1(3/8), 1(3/4)
  • C. 1(3/8), 1(3/4), 1(1/2)
  • D. 1(3/8), 1(1/2), 1(3/4)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To determine the correct order of the hole diameters from least to greatest, we first convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions for easier comparison. - 1(1/2) = 3/2 - 1(3/4) = 7/4 - 1(3/8) = 11/8 By comparing these values, we find that 11/8 (1(3/8)) is the smallest, followed by 3/2 (1(1/2)), and finally 7/4 (1(3/4)). Option A incorrectly lists 1(1/2) as the smallest. Option B misplaces 1(3/8) and 1(3/4). Option C arranges the sizes incorrectly, placing the largest first. Therefore, the correct order is D: 1(3/8), 1(1/2), 1(3/4).