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Ability to Benefit

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The ACCUPLACER Web-Based Study App

Access questions to familiarize yourself with the ACCUPLACER basic content and experience. If you have a documented disability, submitted documentation to the Disability Services Office (DSO) and require accommodations for the Ability to Benefit Exam, please contact the DSO at [email protected].

Important ATB Information

ATB Exam for Entrance into the 24-Credit GED Program

The ATB Exam is required for entrance into the 24-Credit GED Program. The ATB Exam is administered using Next-Generation ACCUPLACER. You will be given an untimed multiple-choice exam in Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, and QAS (Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics). In addition, you will be administered a one hour timed essay using WritePlacer for your English Placement.

Please refer to the following resources to help prepare and study for the ATB Exam.

Free one hour tutoring sessions for math, reading, and writing are available to students who have applied to the 24 Credit GED Program and want to review prior to taking the ATB exam. To schedule a tutor appointment, email [email protected]

ATB Exam for NY State Financial Aid for Students with a Foreign Diploma

The Ability to Benefit (ATB) test is for students who are seeking financial aid awards under the state’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED) from a United States high school. In order for you to be considered for New York State Financial Aid Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), you must successfully complete the Ability to Benefit (ATB) Test. This test is separate and in addition to the College placement process you may have already taken. Please be aware, the ATB test is not the sole determinate in the distribution of these awards.

The ATB Exam for financial aid is administered using Next-Generation ACCUPLACER. You will be given an untimed multiple-choice exam in Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic.

Please refer to the following resources to help prepare and study for the ATB Exam.

Free one hour tutoring sessions for math, reading, and writing are available to students who have applied to the 24 Credit GED Program and want to review prior to taking the ATB exam. To schedule a tutor appointment, email [email protected] Please note, tutoring is only available to first time test takers.

Schedule Your ATB Exam

To schedule your Next Generation ACCUPLACER date, please fill out the below request form. Ability to Benefit Placement exams are being offered both virtually over zoom and on-campus with limited appointments at the Valhalla Main Campus.

After filling out the request form, you will be contacted by a Testing and Assessment representative within 1-3 business days to help schedule your placement exam.

To complete the Placement Exam Request Form, your application must be processed by the Admissions Office and you must have your nine-digit (ex. 000123456) Student ID number.  If you do not have this number please contact the HelpDesk at [email protected].

A government issued photo ID is required (ex. drivers license or passport). Please note a current high school photo ID will be accepted.

Students WILL NOT be permitted to take the test without approved photo ID.

After submitting the request form, you will be sent an email from a Testing and Assessment representative within three business days to schedule your exam. If you do not receive an email, please contact us at [email protected]Schedule Here

ATB Exam Rules and Retest Policy

Student Identification
A government issued photo ID is required (ex. drivers license or passport). Please note a current high school photo ID will be accepted. Students WILL NOT be permitted to take the test without approved photo ID.
Ability-to-Benefit (ATB) Testing Scores
ATB recipients must achieve or exceed the scores listed on the following ATB tests:

  • Reading: a score of 233 or higher
  • Writing: a score of 235 or higher
  • Arithmetic: a score of 230 or higher

All Next-Generation ACCUPLACER exams are scored on a 200-300 scale.
As per New York State regulations, handheld calculators are not allowed during testing unless they are prescribed accommodation.

Ability-to-Benefit (ATB) Retest Policy

If you fail to reach the minimum score in any single section of Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic you will not qualify for state aid and must be retested.

  • A retest can occur 14 days after the previous test administration end date

If you do not meet all three required scores in the ATB exam, you will only be retested in the section(s) that you did not pass. Scores from multiple different administrations may be mixed or combined to receive a passing score for all three tests.