NCDAP Test Preparation 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the main consequence of placing into a developmental math course instead of college-level math at an NC community college?
- The student earns extra degree credit for completing the course
- The student spends additional time and money on prerequisite coursework before reaching college-level math (Correct answer)
- The student is automatically dismissed from the degree program
- The student receives a lower tuition rate as compensation
Correct answer: The student spends additional time and money on prerequisite coursework before reaching college-level math
Developmental courses add to a student's time and cost before they can take credit-bearing college-level courses, making strong NCDAP preparation very important.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of an absolute phrase that might appear in NCDAP grammar editing questions?
- Running quickly, she won the race.
- Her homework finished, Maria went outside to play. (Correct answer)
- She ran and won.
- Because she finished quickly.
Correct answer: Her homework finished, Maria went outside to play.
An absolute phrase ('Her homework finished') modifies the whole sentence and is not grammatically connected by a conjunction — a pattern tested in grammar editing.
Question 3: A student wants to prepare for NCDAP math but has not studied math in several years. What is the best starting point?
- Begin with calculus review to challenge yourself
- Start with basic arithmetic and number sense, then build up through pre-algebra (Correct answer)
- Focus exclusively on word problems
- Skip to algebra and ignore arithmetic gaps
Correct answer: Start with basic arithmetic and number sense, then build up through pre-algebra
Students returning to math after a gap should rebuild foundational arithmetic skills before moving to more advanced topics.
Question 4: On NCDAP reading passages, what strategy should you use when you encounter an unfamiliar vocabulary word?
- Stop reading and look the word up in a dictionary
- Use context clues from surrounding sentences to infer the meaning (Correct answer)
- Skip the question entirely
- Assume the word means its most common everyday meaning
Correct answer: Use context clues from surrounding sentences to infer the meaning
Using context clues is the most reliable strategy for understanding unfamiliar words during a timed placement test.
Question 5: Which action should a student take IMMEDIATELY after receiving their NCDAP score report?
- Shred the score report since it is no longer needed
- Review each section score to understand placement and identify any appeal or retest options (Correct answer)
- Enroll in the most advanced course available regardless of placement
- Share scores only with family, not with a college advisor
Correct answer: Review each section score to understand placement and identify any appeal or retest options
Understanding each section score and knowing your options — retesting, appeals, or course selection — is critical immediately after receiving NCDAP results.
Question 6: Which type of math question on the NCDAP requires students to interpret a graph or chart?
- Algebraic proof question
- Data analysis or quantitative reasoning question (Correct answer)
- Geometric construction question
- Trigonometric identity question
Correct answer: Data analysis or quantitative reasoning question
Data analysis questions on the NCDAP ask students to read, interpret, and draw conclusions from graphs, tables, and charts.
Question 7: Which of the following statements about the NCDAP is ACCURATE?
- The NCDAP score affects a student's high school GPA
- The NCDAP is untimed and students may take as long as they need
- NCDAP scores determine which college-level courses a student is ready for, not whether they are admitted (Correct answer)
- All NCDAP sections must be taken on the same day without exception
Correct answer: NCDAP scores determine which college-level courses a student is ready for, not whether they are admitted
The NCDAP is a placement tool that determines course readiness at NC community colleges — it does not affect college admissions decisions.
NCDAP Test Preparation 5
What is the main consequence of placing into a developmental math course instead of college-level math at an NC community college?