Early Assessment Program (EAP)

Cal State Fullerton students
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The Early Assessment Program (EAP) is an academic preparation program to help high school students meet college readiness standards in English-language arts and mathematics before admission to a CSU campus. It is a statewide program developed by the California Department of Education, State Board of Education, and the California State University system for all California public high school.  EAP offers 11th grade high school students the opportunity to “test- out” of taking the usual entrance exams required for college admission.

Benefits of Taking EAP
EAP is voluntary and is available only for 11th grade high school students beginning with the graduating class of 2004.  The benefits are as follow:

  • It may allow you to skip the required CSU English (ELM) and/or mathematics (EPT)  placement tests
  • Identify the need for additional preparation to  succeed at the CSU while enrolled in high school
  • Adjust senior-year coursework
  • Avoid spending time and money in college remediation courses that do not count toward a bachelor’s degree

Taking the EAP exam
The EAP college readiness exams are administered during the spring semester of the 11th grade as part of the California Standards Test (CSTs). Cal State Fullerton encourages all eleventh grade students to take both the English and math EAP portions to save time and money in college. For each exam section an additional 15 minutes is provided.

  • The Early Assessment of Readiness for College English exam is taken in addition to the ELA-CST and consists of 15 additional items and a 45-minute essay. The essay is administered at a different time.
  • The Early Assessment of readiness for College Mathematics exam is taken in addition to the Algebra II or Summative High School Mathematics exam and consists of 15 additional items.  

EAP exam results
Students who complete the EAP exams will receive a report in August indicating your readiness for college-level English-language arts and mathematics.
Results will identify students as:
     ▪ English
           - College Ready (Exempt)                                                                      
           - Not College Ready (Non-Exempt)
     ▪ Mathematics
            - College Ready (Exempt or Conditionally Exempt)
            - Not College Ready (Non-Exempt)

Classification

Meaning

Result

College Ready
(Exempt)

Student demonstrates readiness for college level coursework in English Language Arts and/or mathematics.   
                                                                      

Student is exempt from further CSU testing.

College Ready
(Conditionally Exempt)

Student demonstrates readiness for college level coursework in mathematics at that point in time.

Successful completion of a senior year math experience is required to retain the exemption.

Not College Ready
(Non-Exempt)

Student does not demonstrate readiness for college level coursework in English Language Arts and/or mathematics.                                                               

Student is encouraged to participate in a senior year experience in either or both areas.

Incomplete

Student did not complete a sufficient amount of one or both exams to render a designation.                 

Student must take the ELM and EPT college entrance exams. Visit the CSUF testing website for test dates and exam fees.

Check it out! 
To find out more about the EAP at the CSU system, please visit www.calstate.edu/eap.

For more information, please contact the University Outreach EAP Counselor at (714) 278-4743 or xmelendez@fullerton.edu