Quantitative

Reasoning,
Algebra, and
Statistics
Sample Questions
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ACCUPLACER Quantitative Reasoning,

Algebra, and Statistics Sample Questions
The Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics placement test is a computer
adaptive assessment of test takers’ ability for selected mathematics content. Questions
will focus on a range of topics including computing with rational numbers, applying ratios
and proportional reasoning, creating linear expressions and equations, graphing and
applying linear equations, understanding probability and set notation, and interpreting
graphical displays. In addition, questions may assess a student’s math ability via
computational or fluency skills, conceptual understanding, or the capacity to apply
mathematics presented in a context. All questions are multiple choice in format and
appear discretely (stand alone) across the assessment. The following knowledge and skill
categories are assessed:

ƒ ƒRational numbers
ƒ ƒRatio and proportional relationships
ƒ ƒExponents
ƒ ƒAlgebraic expressions
ƒ ƒLinear equations
ƒ ƒLinear applications
ƒ ƒProbability and sets
ƒ ƒDescriptive statistics
ƒ ƒGeometry concepts

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are registered trademarks of College Board.

01689-087

ACCUPLACER Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics © 2020 College Board. 1

 Sample Questions 5. In the xy-plane, a line crosses the y-axis at the point
Choose the best answer. If necessary, use the paper you (0, 3) and passes through the point (4, 5). Which of the
were given. following is an equation of the line?

1
1. Which of the following expressions is 5 times as much A. y = x+3
2
as the sum of r and s?
B. y = 2x + 3
A. 5 × r + s
B. 5 + r + s
1
C. r + s × 5 C. y = x–4
2
D. (r + s) × 5
D. y = 2x – 4
2. What is the solution to the equation
1 3 1 6. The amount of money M, in dollars, Paul earns can
x + (x + 1) − = 5?
2 2 4
be represented by the equation M = 12.5h + 11, where
5 h is the number of hours Paul works. Which of the
A.
2 following is the best interpretation of the number 11 in
13 the equation?
B.
8 A. The amount of money, in dollars, Paul earns each
hour
15
C. B. The total amount of money, in dollars, Paul earns
8
after working for h hours
17 C. The total amount of money, in dollars, Paul earns
D.
8 after working for one hour
D. The amount of money, in dollars, Paul earns in
3. What is the number of grams in 500 kilograms? addition to an hourly wage
(1 kilogram = 1,000 grams)
A. 0.5 7.
Approximate
B. 5,000 Country
population (millions)
C. 50,000
D. 500,000 France 65.9
Germany 80.8
4. Italy 60.8
40
35 Year 1 Spain 46.5
30 Year 2 United Kingdom 64.3
25
Jars sold

The table gives the population of the 5 largest countries

20 in the European Union in the year 2014. Which of the
15 following is closest to the mean population of these
10 countries?
5 A. 80.8 million
0 B. 64.3 million
blueberry grape peach strawberry C. 63.7 million
Flavor D. 60.8 million
Robert sells four different flavors of jam at an annual
farmers market. The graph above shows the number of
jars of each type of jam he sold at the market during
the first two years. Which flavor of jam had the greatest
increase in number of jars sold from Year 1 to Year 2?
A. Blueberry
B. Grape
C. Peach
D. Strawberry

ACCUPLACER Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics © 2020 College Board. 2

8. Which of the following fractions is equivalent 13. It took Khalid 90 minutes to complete 40 tasks. Which
−6 − (−9 ) of the following is an equivalent rate?
to ?
8 A. 10 tasks in 0.9 minutes
3 B. 10 tasks in 2.25 minutes
A. − C. 10 tasks in 9 minutes
8
D. 10 tasks in 22.5 minutes
3
B.
8 14.
Plans to vote Plans to vote
15 Total
C. − “yes” on issue Q “no” on issue Q
8
Plans to vote
8 12 20
15 “yes” on issue P
D.
8
Plans to vote
14 16 30
“no” on issue P
9. Water runs from a pump at a rate of 1.5 gallons per
minute. At this rate, how long would it take to fill a tub Total 22 28 50
with a 150-gallon capacity?
The table above shows a survey of 50 registered voters
A. 10 minutes in a city. Each voter was asked whether they planned to
B. 100 minutes vote “yes” or “no” on two different issues. If a voter who
C. 225 minutes plans to vote “yes” on issue P is randomly selected, what
D. 2,250 minutes is the probability that voter also plans to vote “yes” on
issue Q?
10. The volume of a right rectangular prism is found by
multiplying the length of the base by the width of the A. 0.16
base by the height of the prism. A right rectangular B. 0.36
prism has a volume of 30 cubic inches. If the height C. 0.40
of the prism is 6 inches, what is the area of the base of D. 0.67
the prism?
A. 5 square inches 15. Which of the following values is equivalent to 5–3?
B. 24 square inches 1
A.
C. 36 square inches 15
D. 180 square inches 1
B.
125
11. Jacoby followed a recipe that requires 2 cups of water
for every 3 cups of flour. If he used 8 cups of flour, how C. –15
many cups of water did he use?
2 D. –125
A. 2
3
B. 4 16. Which of the following expressions is equivalent
to (x3 . x2) ?
5
1
C. 5
3 A. x10
D. 12 B. x15
C. x25
12. 4(x + 5) + 4x + 8 D. x30
Which of the following is equivalent to the expression
above?
A. 4(2x + 7)
B. 8(x + 4)
C. 5x + 17
D. 8x + 13

ACCUPLACER Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics © 2020 College Board. 3

17. The elevation at the summit of Mount Whitney is 20. y
4,418 meters above sea level. Climbers begin at a
trailhead that has an elevation of 2,550 meters above
sea level. What is the change in elevation, to the nearest
foot, between the trailhead and the summit? (1 foot =
0.3048 meters)
A. 569 feet x
B. 5,604 feet O R
C. 6,129 feet
D. 14,495 feet Q

18. 3x – 2y = 15 P
x=3
Triangle PQR lies in the xy-plane, and the coordinates
The two lines given by the equations above intersect in of vertex Q are (2, –3). Triangle PQR is rotated 180°
the xy-plane. What is the value of the y-coordinate of clockwise about the origin and then reflected across
the point of intersection? the y-axis to produce triangle P'Q'R', where vertex Q'
A. –7 corresponds to vertex Q of triangle PQR. What are the
B. –3 coordinates of Q'?
C. 3 A. (–3, –2)
D. 7 B. (3, –2)
C. (–2, 3)
19. L = {0, 20, 40, 80, 100} D. (2, 3)
M = {5, 10, 15, 20, 25}
N = {10, 20, 30, 40, 50}

Sets L, M, and N are shown above. Which of the

following sets represents L  (M  N) (the union of L
with the intersection of sets M and N)?
A. {0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 80, 100}
B. {0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 100}
C. {20, 40}
D. {20}

ACCUPLACER Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics © 2020 College Board. 4

Answer Key
1. D
2. C
3. D
4. A
5. A
6. D
7. C
8. B
9. B
10. A
11. C
12. A
13. D
14. C
15. B
16. C
17. C
18. B
19. B
20. D

ACCUPLACER Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics © 2020 College Board. 5

Rationales
1. Choice D is correct. The order of operations was used properly to write the
expression. The sum of r and s in parentheses is found first, then multiplication is used
to find the number that is 5 times the sum of r and s. Choice A is incorrect because
this is the sum of s and 5 times as much as r. Choice B is incorrect because this is the
sum of 5, r, and s. Choice C is incorrect because this is the sum of r and
5 times as much as s.
1 3 1
2. Choice C is correct. The equation x + (x + 1) − = 5 can be rewritten as
2 2 4
1 3 3 1 1 3 15
x + x + − = 5, which simplifies to 2x = 5 + − = .
2 2 2 4 4 2 4
15 15 5
Therefore, x = ÷ 2 = .. Choice A is incorrect because if x were equal to ,,
4 8 2

then
1
2
3
2
1
x + (x + 1) − would equal
4
1 5
2 2
+ () ( )
3 5
2 2
1
+ 1 − ,, which is equal to
4
25
4
,

13 1 3 1
not 5. Choice B is incorrect because if x were equal to ,, then x + (x + 1) −
8 2 2 4

would equal ( ) (
1 13
2 8
+
3 13
2 8
1
) 9
+ 1 − , which is equal to ,, not 5. Choice D is
4 2
17 1 3 1
incorrect because if x were equal to , then x + (x + 1) − would equal
8 2 2 4

( ) (
1 17
2 8
+
3 17
2 8
1
)
+ 1 − , which is equal to 11, not 5.
4 2
1,000 g
3. Choice D is correct. To convert from kilograms to grams, multiply 500 kg × ,
1 kg
which results in 500,000 grams. Choice A is incorrect because 0.5 is the number of
kilograms in 500 grams. Choice B is incorrect because 5,000 grams is equal to
5 kilograms, not 500 kilograms. Choice C is incorrect because 50,000 grams is equal
to 50 kilograms, not 500 kilograms.

4. Choice A is correct. The graph shows that Robert sold 10 jars of blueberry jam the first
year and 18 the second year, for an increase of 8 jars. This is the greatest increase of any
of the flavors. Choice B is incorrect. This is the jam Robert sold the most of, but it is not
the greatest increase. Choice C is incorrect. Robert sold more peach jam the second year,
but his sales increased by only 4, which is less than the increase for blueberry. Choice D is
incorrect. Robert sold less strawberry jam the second year, not more.

5. Choice A is correct. An equation in the form y = ax + b has a slope of a and a

y-intercept of b. The line described has a y-intercept of 3 because it crosses the
1
y-axis at y = 3 and has a slope of because the value of y increases by 1 for
2
1
every x increase of 2. Therefore, an equation of the line is y = x + 3. Choice B is
2
incorrect. The line described does not have a slope of 2. Choice C is incorrect. The
line described does not have a y-intercept of −4. Choice D is incorrect. The line
described does not have a slope of 2 or a y-intercept of −4.

6. Choice D is correct. Paul earns $12.50 per hour, so the number of hours, h, is multiplied
by 12.5. Paul earns $11 in addition to how much he works per hour, which is why it
is added to the product 12.5h and is independent of how many hours Paul works.
Choice A is incorrect because it is what 12.5 represents in the equation. Choice B is
incorrect because it is what M stands for in the equation. Choice C is incorrect because
substituting 1 into the equation gives 12.5 + 11 = 23.5.

ACCUPLACER Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics © 2020 College Board. 6

7. Choice C is correct. To find the mean, find the total population of all 5 countries
and divide by the total number of countries: 65.9 + 80.8 + 60.8 + 46.5 + 64.3 = 318.3
and 318.3 ÷ 5 = 63.66, which rounds to 63.7. The values in the table are given
in millions, so the mean population is about 63.7 million. Choice A is incorrect.
It is the maximum of the values given. Choice B is incorrect. It is the median
population. Choice D is incorrect. It is the middle value in the table.

−6 − (−9 ) −6 + 9 3
8. Choice B is correct. The fraction = , which is equivalent to .
8 8 8
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they use incorrect order of operations
and/or do not take into account that subtracting −9 is the same as adding 9.

9. Choice B is correct. The time it would take to fill the tub can be found by dividing the
number of gallons the tub can hold by the rate the water runs from the pump. This is
represented by 150 gallons ÷ 1.5 gallons per minute = 100 minutes. Choice A is
incorrect and may be the result of dividing 150 by 15. Choice C is incorrect and may
be the result of multiplying 150 by 1.5. Choice D is incorrect and may be the result of
multiplying 150 by 15.

10. Choice A is correct. Since the base of a right rectangular prism is a rectangle,
the area of the base is equal to its length times its width. Therefore, the volume of
a right rectangular prism is equal to the area of the base times the height. Since
the height is known, divide the volume by the height to find the area of the base.
This is represented by 30 ÷ 6 = 5. Choice B is incorrect because this is the result of
subtracting 6 from 30 instead of dividing. Choice C is incorrect because this is the
result of adding 6 to 30 instead of dividing. Choice D is incorrect because this is the
result of multiplying 6 and 30 instead of dividing.

2
11. Choice C is correct. The ratio of water to flour is . Since there were 8 cups of flour
3
2
used, the expression 8 × can be used to determine the amount of water used,
3
1
which is 5 . Choice A is incorrect because this is the number of 3-cup “units” of flour
3
2
that Jacoby used: 8 ÷ 3 = 2 . Choice B is incorrect because this would be the amount
3
of water necessary if 6 cups of flour were used, not 8. Choice D is incorrect because
this results from using a ratio of 2 cups of flour to 3 cups of water.

12. Choice A is correct. The expression 4(x + 5) + 4x + 8 can be expanded to

4x + 20 + 4x + 8, which is equivalent to 8x + 28. Since 4 can be factored from each
term in this expression, it can be rewritten as 4(2x + 7). Choice B is incorrect because
it expands to 8x + 32, which is not equivalent to 4(x + 5) + 4x + 8. Choice C is incorrect
because it is equivalent to 4 + (x + 5) + 4x + 8 rather than 4(x + 5) + 4x + 8. Choice D is
incorrect because the 4 was not distributed through the expression in parentheses
properly.

13. Choice D is correct. Ninety minutes to complete 40 tasks is an average rate of

2.25 minutes per task (90 minutes ÷ 40 tasks). Multiplying 2.25 minutes by 10 gives
the average time it took Khalid to complete 10 tasks (2.25 × 10 = 22.5). Choice A
is incorrect and is most likely the result of incorrectly dividing 9 by 10. Choice B is
incorrect because it is the average number of minutes it took Khalid to complete one
task. Choice C is incorrect because it is equivalent to 90 ÷ 10.

ACCUPLACER Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics © 2020 College Board. 7

14. Choice C is correct. There are 20 voters who plan to vote “yes” on issue P. Of
these 20 voters, 8 plan to vote “yes” on issue Q. This probability is represented by
8 ÷ 20 = 0.40. Choice A is incorrect. This is the probability that a voter plans to vote
“yes” on both issues. Choice B is incorrect. This is the probability that a voter plans to
vote “yes” on issue P, given that he or she plans to vote “yes” on issue Q. Choice D is
incorrect. This is the number of voters who plan to vote “yes” on both issues divided
by the number of voters who plan to vote “yes” on issue P and “no” on issue Q.

1
15. Choice B is correct. The expression 5–3 can be rewritten as , which is equal to
53
1 1
= . Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they are not equivalent to
5 × 5 × 5 125
1
5–3. Choice A is the value of , choice C is the value of 5 × (−3), and choice D is the
5×3
value of (−5) .
3

16. Choice C is correct. Using the rules of exponents, (x3 . x2)5 can be rewritten as

( x (3+2) ) = ( x 5 )
5 5
= x 5×5 = x 25. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may be the result
of not following the proper rules of exponents.

17. Choice C is correct. The difference between the elevations is

4,418 − 2,550 = 1,868 meters. Since each 0.3048 meters is one foot, divide the
change of elevation in meters by the conversion factor to find the number of feet
(1,868 ÷ 0.3048 ≈ 6,129). Choice A is incorrect. This is the result of multiplying by
the conversion factor instead of dividing. Choice B is incorrect. This is the result of
multiplying 1,868 by 3 (perhaps figuring that there are 3 feet in a yard and a meter is
similar to a yard). Choice D is incorrect. This is the elevation of the summit in feet.

18. Choice B is correct. Substituting 3 for x in the first equation gives 3(3) − 2y = 15.
This simplifies to 9 − 2y = 15. Subtracting 9 from both sides of 9 − 2y = 15 gives −2y = 6.
Finally, dividing both sides of −2y = 6 by −2 gives y = −3. Choice A is incorrect because
3(3) − 2(−7) does not equal 15. Choice C is incorrect because 3(3) − 2(3) does not
equal 15. Choice D is incorrect because 3(3) − 2(7) does not equal 15.

19. Choice B is correct. The intersection of sets M and N is all the numbers that appear
in both of the sets, so M  N = {10, 20}. The union of this and L is all the numbers
that are in this set and/or in set L, and therefore L  (M  N) = {0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 100}.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the union of all three sets given. Choice C is incorrect.
This is L  (M  N). Choice D is incorrect. This is the intersection of all three sets.

20. Choice D is correct. When triangle PQR is rotated 180° clockwise about the origin
(0, 0), point Q is translated from (2, −3) to (−2, 3) in the xy-plane. Then, after the
triangle is reflected, or flipped, across the y-axis, point Q is translated from (−2, 3)
to (2, 3). Choices A and B are incorrect and may be the result of a misunderstanding
of the rotation about the origin. Choice C is incorrect because it represents the
location of point Q' after only the rotation.

ACCUPLACER Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics © 2020 College Board. 8