Your success as a college student depends, to a large degree, on enrolling in courses that match your abilities and skills. Assessment includes testing, as well as other measures, and is intended to assist you in determining the best fit between your skills and class requirements. In order to ensure proper course selection, all new students MUST take the English and Math assessment exams, unless you qualify for an exemption (see below).
You are strongly urged to take the assessment tests seriously. Take advantage of preparatory workshops, refresher courses, practice exams and tutoring services prior to taking the assessment tests.
- English assessment tests may be retaken after 1 year.
- Math assessment tests may be retaken after 1 year. Students who want to retest in math earlier than 1 year must take a refresher session/workshop/course or advancement exam.
ASSESSMENT TESTS
There are three types of Assessment Tests offered at City:
English Placement Test:
This test is designed for native speakers of English. If English isn't your primary language, but you are very comfortable using English and use it most of the time, then the English Placement Test is the right one for you to take.
English Placement Test for Non-Native English Speakers (English Language Acquisition - ELAC)
The ELAC Program, formerly known as ESOL, is designed to prepare students to read, write, speak and listen at a level that enables them to succeed in college courses. This test is appropriate if English is not your primary language, you are not very comfortable with English, or if you speak, read, and write your native language most of the time. The program consists of four levels and the student is assigned a level based on the results of his or her placement test.
Mathematics Placement Test:
There are two mathematics tests available – Algebra Readiness and Intermediate Algebra. The Algebra Readiness test will help you determine if you have the necessary skills to be successful in the algebra courses. The Intermediate Algebra test will help you determine if you are ready for transfer level mathematics courses. Choose the test that most closely matches the last mathematics course you took.
Choosing the Right Math: Fact Sheet
To take one or more of these exams please contact the Assessment office at 619.388.3023 or stop by room A-201 to schedule an appointment. You must complete the New Student Online Orientation FIRST and show proof of completion before signing up.
EXEMPTIONS: Past Educational Achievements in Mathematics or English
You are exempt from the English and math placement tests if you have earned an Associate degree or higher, have completed English and math courses at another college/university, or have received a qualifying score on an SAT, ACT, EPT, ELM or EAP test taken within the past two years. You should bring or send official copies of their SAT, ACT, EPT, ELM or EAP test scores directly to the District Student Services office to determine readiness for English 101 or 105 and for courses with a Math 096 prerequisite. All tests must have been completed within the past 2 years.
| Test | Minimum Required Score | |
| English | Math | |
| Old SAT |
500 - Critical Reading |
550 |
| New SAT |
550 - Evidence-Based, Reading and Writing |
570 |
| ACT | 22 | 23 |
| EPT | 147 | n/a |
| ELM | n/a | 50 |
|
CAASPP EAP Status |
1) Standard Exceeded: Ready for college-level English coursework OR 1) Standard Met: Conditionally Ready for college-level English AND 2) Completion of approved senior year-long course with a grade of C or better (see course list below) |
1) Standard Exceeded: Ready for college-level English coursework OR 1) Standard Met: Conditionally Ready for college-level English AND 2) Completion of approved senior year-long course with a grade of C or better (see course list below) |
*As of March 2016, the SAT test was redesigned and, as a result, the scoring structure was changed.
| High School English Courses: | High School Math Courses: |
|
Expository Reading & Writing Course (ERWC) AP Literature/Composition Weighted Honors English IB English |
Trigonometry Math Analysis Pre-Calculus or Calculus AP Calculus AB or BC AP Physics AP Statistics |
A qualifying score from the College Board Advanced Placement English or Math Exam may be taken directly to the Admissions office for consideration. Please refer to the College Catalog for AP exam score requirements.
ACCUPLACER
We use an online placement assessment test known as Accuplacer. Download the Testing Tips for Taking ACCUPLACER Math and English Placement Tests to find out what you need to know before taking the tests.
UNDERSTANDING THE RESULTS OF THE PLACEMENT TESTS
Depending on the tests you take, you will receive a skill level ranging from 10 to 50 in one or more of the following areas:
- Reading (R)
- Writing (W)
- ELAC (English Language Acquisition, formerly known as ESOL) (L)
- Math (M)
Your test results will look something like this: R50, W30, L20, M40. Use the following tables to determine what classes you are eligible to take based on your skill level:
Reading (R)
| Reading Skill Level | Eligible Courses |
| R30 | LCOM 101 (R), English 042 or 047a |
| R40 | English 048 |
| R50 (and W50) | English 101 (Reading) |
Writing (W)
| Writing Skill Level | Eligible Courses |
| W30 | LCOM 101 (R),English 043 or 047a |
| W40 | English 049 |
| W50 (and R50) | English 101 (Writing) |
ELAC (L)
| ELAC Skill Level | Eligible Courses |
| L19 | ELAC 015 or ELAC 015 & 016 (formerly ESOL 019) |
| L20 | ELAC 023, 025 or ELAC 023, 025 & 026 (formerly ESOL 020, 021 & 022) |
| L30 | ELAC 033, 035 (formerly ESOL 030, 031 & 032) |
| L40 * | ELAC 045 (formerly 040) |
* At L40 skill level, you have the option to take the English test for native English speakers.
Math (M)
| MathSkill Level | Eligible Courses |
| M10 | Math 034a, 033 |
| M20 | Math 038 |
| M30 | Math 046, 047a, 092 |
| M40 | Math 084, 085, 096, 098 |
| M50** | Math 104, 107, 116, 118, 210a |
**M50 is the minimum level of proficiency in math for baccalaureate transfer level courses.