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CSU Entry-Level Mathematics Exam

 

General Information

    The Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) examination is designed to assess the skill levels of entering California State University (CSU) students in the areas of elementary and intermediate algebra and plane geometry. Such skills generally are acquired in three years of rigorous college preparatory mathematics courses in high school. Taking the ELM is not a condition of admission to San Diego State University (SDSU), but you need to take the ELM or be exempt from the requirement before you can enroll in classes at SDSU. The ELM is a 90 minute timed test. The passing score is 50 or higher. If you pass the test, you clear the California State University Entry Level Mathematics requirement. The ELM contains questions dealing with data interpretation, counting, probability and statistics. Calculators are not allowed when you take the ELM.

    For study: ELM Study Guide

Who Needs to Take the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Examination?
Anyone who has not satisfied the Entry Level Mathematics Requirement. If you have not satisfied the ELM requirement upon admission to SDSU, you must take the ELM test prior to being allowed to enroll in any classes at SDSU. You need to meet this requirement before you can enroll in many of the mathematics and statistics courses offered at SDSU.

Determine if you need to take the ELM

Answer "YES" or "NO" to the following questions:

    Yes No 1. SAT or SAT I. Did you earn a score of 550 or higher on the Mathematics section?
    Yes No 2. ACT. Did you earn a score of 23 or higher on the Mathematics section?
    Yes No 3. Did you place in the "unconditionally exempt" category on the Early Assessment of Readiness for College Mathematics taken in conjunction with the 11th grade California Standards Test in High School Mathematics or Algebra II?
    Yes No 4. Did you place in the "conditionally exempt" category on the Early Assessment of Readiness of College Mathematics taken in conjunction with the 11th grade California Standards Test in High School Mathematics or Algebra II PLUS successfully complete a CSU-approved math or math-related course or activity taken before you enroll at a CSU campus?
    Yes No 5. Achievement Test. Did you earn a score of 550 or higher on the Mathematics Test, Level I, IC, II or IIC?
    Yes No 6. SAT II/Subject Test (beginning 1/94). Did you earn a score of 550 or higher on the Mathematics Test Level I, IC, II or IIC?
    Yes No 7. Advanced Placement Test. Did you earn a score of 3 or higher on Calculus AB or BC examination or the Statistics examination?
    Yes No 8. Did you pass with a C or better a transferable college mathematics course, above intermediate algebra, that satisfies General Education requirement in Quantitative Reasoning by the end of the Spring 2013 term?

1. If you answered "YES" to any of questions 1-8 above, you do not have to take the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) test and will not need any
remedial course work in mathematics.

2. If you answered "NO" to all of the questions above, you must take the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) test.
CSU ELM Test
Test Date Registration Deadline Scores Released
June 1, 2013
May 31, 2013
July 8, 2013
July 6, 2013
July 5, 2013
August 5, 2013
August 24, 2013
August 23, 2013
November 11, 2013
November 9, 2013
November 8, 2013
December 2, 2013
January 11, 2014
January 10, 2014
February 3, 2014

 

Registration Procedures

Register online for the ELM (or both the EPT and ELM tests) at www.ets.org/csu

The exam fee for the ELM is $18, paid at the time of test registration online.

***Students Requiring Disability Accommodations please read!

The score release dates reflects when students may access their results online at www.ets.org/csu.

All California State University campuses receive results from each administration for everyone that took the test, so you could take the test at a different CSU and SDSU will get the results.

For Further Information

EPT/ELM information bulletin

Directions and Parking Instructions

 

English Placement Test (EPT) Information