Systemwide Placement Test Requirements

The California State University requires that each entering undergraduate, except those who qualify for an exemption, take the CSU Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) examination and the CSU English Placement Test (EPT) prior to enrollment. These placement tests are not a condition for admission to the CSU, but they are a condition of enrollment. They are designed to identify entering students who may need additional support in acquiring college entry-level English and mathematics skills necessary to succeed in CSU baccalaureate-level courses. Undergraduate students who do not demonstrate college-level skills both in English and in mathematics will be placed in appropriate remedial programs and activities during the first term of their enrollment. Students placed in remedial programs in either English or mathematics must complete all remediation in their first year of enrollment. Failure to complete remediation by the end of the first year may result in denial of enrollment for future terms.  

Students register for the EPT and/or ELM at their local CSU campus. Questions about test dates and registration materials may be addressed to Student Life, CSU Channel Islands, One University Drive, Camarillo, CA 93012 (805) 437-8511.

English Placement Test (EPT)

The CSU English Placement Test (EPT) is designed to assess the level of reading and writing skills of entering undergraduate students so that they can be placed in appropriate baccalaureate-level courses. The CSU EPT must be completed by all entering undergraduates, with the exception of those who present proof of one of the following:

• a score of "Exempt" on the augmented English CST, i.e. the CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP), taken in grade 11;

• a score of 550 or above on the verbal section of the College Board SAT Reasoning Test taken April 1995 or later;

• a score of 24 or above on the enhanced ACT English Test taken October 1989 or later;

• a score of 680 or above on the re-centered and adjusted College Board SAT II: Writing Test taken May 1998 or later;

• a score of 3, 4, or 5 on either the Language and Composition or the Composition and Literature examination of the College Board Scholastic Advanced Placement program; or

• completion and transfer of a course that satisfies the General Education-Breadth or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) written communication requirement, provided such course was completed with a grade of C or better.

Directed Self Placement (DSP)

Directed Self Placement will be the only method used on the Channel Islands campus to place students into freshman composition courses. EPT scores will not be used. Students will be given guidance in Directed Self Placement during Orientation, and will select either English 105, Composition and Rhetoric, or the English 102, 103 Stretch Composition sequence. Completion of either English 105 or English 102 plus English 103 satisfies the freshman writing requirement.

Entry Level Mathematics (ELM)
Placement Examination

The Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Placement Examination is designed to assess the skill levels of entering CSU students in the areas of mathematics typically covered in three years of rigorous college preparatory courses in high school (Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry). The CSU ELM must be completed by all entering undergraduates with the exception of those who present proof of one of the following:

• A score of "Exempt" on the augmented mathematics California Standards Test, i.e., the CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP), taken in grade 11.

• A score of "conditionally exempt" on the augmented CST, i.e. the CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP) plus successful completion of a Senior-Year Mathematics Experience (SYME).

• A score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the College Board SAT or on the College Board SAT Subject Tests-Mathematics Tests Level I, IC (Calculator), II, or IIC (Calculator).

• A score of 23 or above on the ACT Mathematics Test.

• A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Calculus examination (AB or BC) or Statistics examination.

• Completion and transfer of a course that satisfies the General Education-Breadth or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) quantitative reasoning requirement provided the course was completed with a grade of C or better.

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