Placement Exams

All new undergraduate students entering any California State University are required to take the English Placement Test (EPT) and the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) except those who qualify for an exemption. You must take the EPT and the ELM and provide scores to the university prior to beginning your first semester of enrollment. Failure to take these tests prior to registering for your first semester will result in your not being allowed to enroll at the CSU. For additional information regarding placement exams please visit the University Testing Center.

Computer Science Placement Test

Students wishing to enroll in Computer Science 131 without first taking CPSC 103 and 121 (or equivalent) MUST take the placement test at one of the following scheduled times. The test may be taken only once. Test scores are valid for two consecutive semesters. Contact the Computer Science Department at (657) 278-3700 for additional testing information.

English Placement Test (EPT)

The EPT is designed to assess the level of reading and writing skills of entering undergraduate students so that they can be placed in appropriate courses. Those undergraduates who do not demonstrate college-level skills will be directed to courses or programs designed to help them attain these skills. Students may take the EPT only one time. Contact University Testing Center at (657) 278-3838 for additional testing information.

Exemptions from the EPT:

• Placement in the "Ready for CSU college level English courses" category on the Early Assessment Program (EAP) English
• A score of 500 or above on the Critical Reading section of the College Board SAT Reasoning Test
• A score of 22 or above on the ACT English Test
• A score of 3 or above on the Language Comprehension or Literature exam of the College Board Advanced Placement Program
• Completed transferable college course that satisfies the requirement of English Comprehension with a grade of C or better

For more exemptions, visit the University Testing Center. 

Entry Level Mathematics Test (ELM)

The ELM 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 mathematics courses in high school. Those undergraduates who do not demonstrate college-level skills will be directed to courses or programs designed to help them attain these skills. Contact University Testing Services at (657) 278-3838 for additional testing information.

Exemptions from the ELM:

• Placement in "Ready for CSU college level math courses" category on the Early Assessment Program (EAP) Mathematics
• Placement in "Ready for CSU college level math courses – Conditional" category on the EAP Mathematics, plus the successful completion of a CSU approved math course or activity
• A math SAT score of 550 or more ACT score of 23 or more in math section
• Advanced Placement Program score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Math exam (Calculus AB, Calculus BC, or Statistics)
• Completed transferable college course that fulfills requirement in quantitative reasoning

For more exemptions, visit the University Testing Center.

Mathematics Qualifying Examination (MQE)

All students planning to enroll in Math 130 (Short Course in Calculus), Math 135 (Business Calculus) or Math 150A (Analytic Geometry and Calculus) must take the Mathematics Qualifying Exam (MQE) or have a Mathematics Department approved exemption. No student will be enrolled in these mathematics courses unless he or she has already passed the MQE or is exempt. The examination scores are valid for two consecutive semesters. Contact University Testing Center at (657) 278-3838 for additional testing information.

Junior Level Examination in Writing Proficiency (EWP)

All students that have completed 60 units toward the baccalaureate, must take the Junior Level Examination in Writing Proficiency (EWP). If you fail the examination, you may retake it until you pass it. The Junior Level Examination in Writing Proficiency (EWP) consists of an essay. A limited number of students who fail the EWP two or more times may file an application to enroll in English 199, Intensive Writing Review. Credit in English 199 will be equivalent to passing the examination. This course will not count toward graduation requirements, nor will it satisfy the upper division writing course requirement. Contact University Testing Center at (657) 278-3838 for additional testing information.

Exemptions or modifications of the requirement:

• Transfer students or candidates for a second baccalaureate who have completed the graduation writing requirement at another CSU campus are certified as having met the upper division writing requirement at CSUF. Students must have been enrolled at the CSU campus where they met the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement. It is the student's responsibility to submit proof of certification at the Admissions & Records Service Center, LH-114.
• Transfer students or candidates for a second baccalaureate who attended universities other than the CSU and believe they have satisfied an equivalent requirement may file a petition to be certified as meeting the examination requirement with the University Board on Writing Proficiency. Petition forms can be obtained from the Admissions & Records Service Center, LH-114.