Math and English Placment requirements
Need to sign up for the EPT and/or ELM tests? Register for EPT/ELM tests

The CSU system requires all new students (freshmen and transfers) to be tested in English and Mathematics prior to enrollment. these are not admission tests, but a way for campuses to determine whether students are prepared for college-level work and, if not, to counsel students how to strengthen their preparation.

 

What if my SAT and/or ACT scores are too low and I don't meet the exemptions listed below?

  1. You must take the EPT and/or ELM exams. Register for EPT/ELM tests
  2. Once we receive your scores from the EPT and/or ELM exams, you may need to take Math and/or English preparatory courses (often called remediation courses).
  3. These courses must be started in the summer prior to your enrolling at CSUMB.
    We call this the CSU Early Start program.
  4.  Review the CSU Early Start information at  http://eosp.csumb.edu/early-start
     

How do I become exempt from taking the Math (ELM) and/or English (EPT) placement exams?

English Proficiency Test (EPT)

The CSU English Placement test must be completed by all entering undergraduates, with the exception of those who present proof of one of the following:

  • A result of “exempt” or "Ready for CSU or Participating CCC college-level English" on the Early Academic Assessment Program (EAP) test taken in spring of Junior year of high school.  Click here for more information:csumb.edu/eap
  •  A score of 500 or above on the verbal section of the recentered College Board SAT: Reasoning Test taken April 1995 or after.
  • A score of 470 or above on the verbal section of either the College Board SAT or SAT: Reasoning Test taken March 1995 or before.
  • A score of 22 or above on the enhanced ACT English test taken October 1989 or later.
  • A score of 22 or above on the American College Testing (ACT) English usage test taken prior to October 1989.
  • A score of 3, 4, or 5 on either the language and composition or the composition and literature examination of the College Board Advanced Placement program.
  • A score of 680 or above on the College Board SAT: Writing section.
  • A score of 600 or above on the College Board test in English composition with essay or the college Board SAT II: Writing Test taken March 1995 or before.
  • Completion and transfer to the csu of a college course that satisfies the GE-Breadth requirement or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) requirement in english composition, provided such a course was completed with a grade ofC or better.

Entry Level Math (ELM)

The ELM examination for entry-level mathematics skills acquired through three years of rigorous college preparatory mathematics coursework (Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry). All undergraduate students must take the test or be exempted from it prior to placement in appropriate university mathematics coursework. The campus will determine specific policies regarding retesting and placement. Exemptions from the test are given only to those students who can present proof of one of the following:

  • A result of “exempt” or "Ready for CSU or Participating CCC college-level Mathematics" on the EAP test taken in spring of Junior year of high school. Click here for more information: csumb.edu/eap

  • A result of “conditionally exempt” on the EAP and successful completion of an approved senior year experience in mathematics or related area.  If you do not successfully complete the senior year requirement, you are required to take the ELM prior to registration. For a list of approved senior year courses to remove the EAP "conditionally exempt" status visit  the csumb/eap question & answers page

  • A score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the College Board SAT: or on the College Board SAT subject Mathematics tests level I, Ic (calculator), II, or IIc (calculator).
  • A score of 23 or above on the enhanced ACT Mathematics test taken October 1989 or later.
  • A score of 24 or above on the ACT Mathematics test taken prior to October 1, 1989.
  • A score of 3, 4, or 5 on the college Board advanced Placement calculus examination (AB or BC) or the statistics examination.
  • Completion and transfer to the csu of a college course that satisfies the GE-Breadth requirement or the igetc requirement in quantitative reasoning, provided such a course was completed with a grade of C or better.

 

 
Posted by David Linnevers on Oct 12, 2011 -