Effective September 1, 2007, the California Government Assessment will be revised to better
reflect the knowledge and competencies found in the equivalent coursework. The new assessment
will be composed of 40 multiple-choice questions and five identification items in which the
examinee must define and explain in one paragraph the significance of a term related to
California governance. Each multiple choice item will be worth two points and each
identification item will be worth four points. A score of 60 or more will be necessary to pass.
The assessment will remain 60 minutes in length and there is no penalty for guessing.
Different versions of the exam will be introduced over the next few months and a new study
guide is being recommended: David G. Lawrence, California: The Politics of Diversity, fifth
edition, Thomson Wadsworth, 2007.
Who Needs to Take the California Government Exam?
If you have met both the American history and United States Constitution portions of the American Institutions requirement through any of the following:
A. Advanced Placement (AP) credit in American history or Government/Politics: American
B. Course(s) in American history which cover a minimum of 100 years of U.S. history, including the establishment of the U.S. Constitution.
C. An American history course which covers a minimum of 100 years of history AND a course in American Government.
You may elect to complete the California state and local government portion of the American Institutions requirement by taking the California Government Examination. (Note: You can also complete the state and local government portion of the American Institutions requirement by completing a course from the list of courses found in the SDSU General Catalog.)
Registration Procedures
***Students Requiring Disability Accommodations please read!
California Gov't Online Registration (credit card or check).
Online Registration hours of availability: 6:30 a.m. - midnight (PST)
OR
Fill out the Cal Gov't Mail-In Registration Form.
OR
Come to the SDSU Student Testing, Assessment & Research Office, (SSW-2549) during business hours (Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm) and purchase a ticket of admission. The fee for the California Government Exam is $20.00
California Government Test Dates
| Test Date |
Online/In-Person Reg Deadline |
Mail-In Registration |
Scores Released |
June 7, 2008 |
May 23, 2008 |
May 21, 2008 |
June 17, 2008 |
July 12, 2008 |
June 27, 2008 |
June 25, 2008 |
July 22, 2008 |
August 30, 2008 |
August 15, 2008 |
August 13, 2008 |
September 9, 2008 |
October 4, 2008 |
September 19, 2008 |
September 17, 2008 |
October 14, 2008 |
November 1, 2008 |
October 17, 2008 |
October 15, 2008 |
November 12, 2008 |
December 6, 2008 |
November 21, 2008 |
November 19, 2008 |
December 16, 2008 |
For Further Information
Read the American Institutions Requirement section of the current SDSU General Catalog. It can be found in the Graduation Requirements section.
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