NCDAP Test Preparation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On the NCDAP, a student earns a borderline math score. What is the best next step before accepting a developmental math placement?
- Accept the placement and enroll in the developmental course immediately
- Ask the college about retesting policies or appeals processes (Correct answer)
- Transfer to a different community college
- Skip math courses entirely
Correct answer: Ask the college about retesting policies or appeals processes
Many NC community colleges allow students to retest or appeal borderline placements, so it is worth asking before accepting the result.
Question 2: Which grammar concept is most commonly assessed on the NCDAP English/writing section?
- Advanced poetic meter
- Subject-verb agreement (Correct answer)
- Archaic vocabulary definitions
- Elizabethan sentence structure
Correct answer: Subject-verb agreement
Subject-verb agreement is a foundational grammar rule that appears frequently on placement tests like the NCDAP.
Question 3: What does a low NCDAP reading score typically indicate about a student's placement?
- The student will be placed into an advanced literature course
- The student may be placed into a developmental reading or English course (Correct answer)
- The student qualifies for dual enrollment programs
- The student is exempt from further testing
Correct answer: The student may be placed into a developmental reading or English course
A low reading score on the NCDAP often results in placement into a developmental reading or integrated English course before college-level work.
Question 4: Which math concept should a student review to improve their chance of placing into college-level math on the NCDAP?
- Order of operations and fraction arithmetic (Correct answer)
- Differential equations
- Fourier transforms
- Vector calculus
Correct answer: Order of operations and fraction arithmetic
Order of operations and fraction arithmetic are basic skills tested on placement exams and essential for qualifying for college-level math.
Question 5: A student feels anxious before taking the NCDAP. Which strategy best reduces test anxiety on test day?
- Arrive late to avoid too much waiting time
- Get adequate sleep, eat a healthy meal, and arrive early (Correct answer)
- Drink several energy drinks for focus
- Study new material the morning of the test
Correct answer: Get adequate sleep, eat a healthy meal, and arrive early
Physical readiness — sleep, nutrition, and arriving early — significantly reduces test anxiety and improves performance.
Question 6: When reviewing vocabulary for the NCDAP reading section, which approach builds the deepest understanding?
- Memorize word lists without context
- Learn words in context by reading varied passages (Correct answer)
- Focus only on words with more than four syllables
- Use flashcards with only the word, no definition
Correct answer: Learn words in context by reading varied passages
Learning vocabulary in context helps students understand nuance and usage, which is essential for reading comprehension questions.
Question 7: Which of the following is TRUE about retaking the NCDAP at a North Carolina community college?
- Students may never retake the NCDAP under any circumstances
- Retake policies vary by college, so students should check with their specific institution (Correct answer)
- Every student is automatically given three retake attempts
- Retaking the NCDAP is mandatory for all students who pass
Correct answer: Retake policies vary by college, so students should check with their specific institution
Retake policies differ across NC community colleges, and students should contact their institution's testing center for specific rules.
NCDAP Test Preparation 3
On the NCDAP, a student earns a borderline math score.
What is the best next step before accepting a developmental math placement?