CSU English Placement Test and Entry-Level Mathematics Exam
General Information
The English Placement Test (EPT) is designed to assess the level of reading and writing skills of entering lower-division students so that they can be placed in appropriate courses. The test is not a condition for admission to San Diego State University (SDSU), but you need to take the EPT or be exempt from meeting the requirement before you can enroll in classes at SDSU. It should be taken only once and may not be repeated. The EPT consists of one 45 minute timed essay and two 30 minute timed multiple-choice sections. At SDSU a passing score is: a total of 151 or higher. If you pass the test, you clear the California State University English Placement Test requirement.
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: EPT Study Guide
For Study: ELM Study Guide
Who Needs to Take the English Placement Test?
Anyone admitted to SDSU who has not satisfied the English Placement Test Requirement. You need to meet this requirement before you can enroll in any classes at SDSU.
Determine if you need to take the EPT
Answer "YES" or "NO" to the following questions:
Yes |
No |
1. SAT I (taken 4/95 or later). Did you earn a score of 550 or higher on the Critical Reading section? |
Yes |
No |
2. ACT. Did you earn a score of 24 or higher on the English section? |
Yes |
No |
3. Did you place in the "exempt" category on the Early Assessment of Readiness for College English taken in conjunction with the 11th grade California Standards Test in English Language Arts? |
Yes |
No |
4. Achievement Test. Did you earn a score of 600 or higher on the English Composition with Essay test? |
Yes |
No |
5. SAT II/Subject Test (Taken 5/98 or later). Did you earn a score of 680 or Higher on Writing test? |
Yes |
No |
6. Advanced Placement Test. Did you earn a score of 3 or higher on the Language and Composition test OR the Composition and Literature test? |
Yes |
No |
7. Did you Pass with a C or better a transferable college GE English Composition course (3 semester or 4 quarter units) by the end of the Spring 2004 term? |
1. If you answered "YES" to any of questions 1-7 above, you do not have to take the English Placement Test (EPT) and will not need any remedial course work in writing prior to enrolling in Freshman English or Rhetoric and Writing courses.
2. If you answered "NO" to all of the questions above, you must take the English Placement Test (EPT).
Who Needs to Take the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Examination?
Anyone that 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 2004 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 EPT/ELM Test Test Date Online/In-Person Reg Deadline Mail-In Reg Deadline Scores Released
Registration Procedures
(Please Note: Cell phones are not allowed at the testing site on the day of the test: No exceptions)
***Students Requiring Disability Accommodations please read!
Both EPT and ELM online registration (to test at San Diego State University). Online Registration hours of availability: 6:30 a.m. - midnight (PST). PLEASE NOTE: There is no online registration for the EPT/ELM Combined test with accommodations. If you have authorized accommodations for the EPT and ELM and you need to take both tests, please register online for an individual EPT test with accommodations and an individual ELM test with accommodations.
OR
EPT Only online registration (to test at San Diego State University)
Online Registration hours of availability: 6:30 a.m. - midnight (PST)
OR
ELM Only online registration (to test at San Diego State University)
Online Registration hours of availability: 6:30 a.m. - midnight (PST)
OR
EPT and/or ELM registration (to test at a CSU other than San Diego State University)
OR
EPT and/or ELM Mail-In Registration Form (includes address of all CSU's)
PLEASE NOTE: There is no online registration for the EPT/ELM Combined test with accommodations. If
you have authorized accommodations for the EPT and ELM and you need to take both tests, please register
for an individual EPT test with accommodations and an individual ELM test with accommodations.
OR
Come to the SDSU Student Testing, Assessment & Research Office (SSW-2549) during business hours (Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30pm) and get a ticket of admission.
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.
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