ELM/EPT

The California State University requires that each entering undergraduate, except those who qualify for an exemption, take the CSU Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) examination and the CSU English Placement Test (EPT) prior to enrollment. These placement tests are not a condition for admission to the CSU, but they are a condition of enrollment. These examinations are designed to identify entering students who may need additional support in acquiring college entry-level English and mathematics skills necessary to succeed in CSU baccalaureate-level courses.

If you do not demonstrate college-level skills both in English and in mathematics, you will be placed in appropriate remedial programs and activities during the first term of your enrollment. If placed in remedial programs in either English or mathematics, you must complete all remediation in your first year of enrollment. Failure to complete remediation by the end of your first year may result in denial of enrollment for future terms.

Students register for the EPT (www.csuenglishsuccess.org/ept) and/or ELM (http://www.csumathsuccess.org/elm_exam).  Campus may establish deadlines by which new students must register for and/or take placement exams as a requirement for enrollment.  Questions about test dates and registration materials can be found at www.ets.org/csu or may be addressed to:

Office of Admissions
100 Campus Center
Seaside, California 93955-8001

831-582-3738
admissions@csumb.edu

English Placement Test

The English Placement Test (EPT) is designed to assess the level of reading and writing skills of students entering the California State University.  The CSU EPT must be completed by all non-exempt entering undergraduates prior to enrollment in any course, including remedial courses.  Students who score 147 or above on the EPT will be placed in college-level composition classes.

Exceptions from the EPT are granted only to those who present proof of one of the following:

  • A score of "Exempt" or "Ready for college-level English courses" on the CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP) taken along with the English Language Arts California Standard Test in grade 11.
  • A score of "Conditionally ready for college-level English courses" or "Conditional" on the CSU Early Assessment Program (EPA) taken on grade 11, provided successful completion of the Expository Reading and Writing Course (ERWC), AP English, 1B English or an English course approved for extra honors weight on the University of California "a-g" Doorways course list.
  • 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 American College Testing (ACT) English Test
  • A score of 3 or above on either the Language and Composition or the Composition and Literature examination of the College Board Scholastic Advanced Placement program.
  • Completion and transfer to the CSU of the credits for a college course that satisfies the CSU General Education requirement in English Composition, provided such a course was completed with a grade of C or better.  
Entry Level Mathematics Placement Examination

The Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Examination is designed to assess and measure the level of mathematics skills acquired through three years of rigorous college preparatory mathematics coursework (Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry) of students entering the California State University (CSU).  The CSU ELM must be completed by all non-exempt entering undergraduates prior to enrollment in any course, including remedial courses. Students who score 50 or above on the ELM will be placed in college-level mathematics classes.

Exemptions from the ELM are granted only to those students who present proof of one of the following:

  • A score of "Exempt" or "Ready for college-level Mathematics courses" on the CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP), taken in grade 11 in conjunction with the CST in Summative High School Mathematics or Algebra II.
  • A score of "Conditionally ready for college-level Mathematics courses" or "Conditional" on the CSU Early Assessment Program (EPA) taken in grade 11 along with the California Standards Test in Summative High School Mathematics or Algebra II, provided successful completion of a CSU-approved 12th grade math course that require Algebra II as a prerequisite.
  • A score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the College Board SAT Reasoning Test
  • A score of 550 or above on a College Board SAT Subject Test in Mathematics (level 1 or level 2)
  • A score of 23 or above on the American College Testing (ACT) Mathematics Test
  • A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Calculus AB or Calculus BC exam
  • A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Statistics examination
  • Completion and transfer to CSU of a college course that satisfies requirement Quantitative Reasoning, provided such a course was completed with a grade of C or better
Early Start Program

Entering resident freshman who are not proficient in math or English will need to start the remediation process before their first regular term.

The goals of Early Start Program are to:

  • Add an important and timely assessment tool in preparing students for college;
  • Better prepare students in math and English, before the fall semester of freshman year; and
  • Improve students’ chances of successful completion of a college degree.

Newly admitted freshman students who are required to complete Early Start will be notified of the requirement and options for completing the program as part of campus communications to newly admitted students.