ASSESSMENT

After you file your application and get your registration appointment card, proceed to AD 103 to schedule your assessment appointment.  You will take a basic skills assessment in reading, writing, language usage, and mathematics to help you select appropriate courses. This is not an entrance exam to the college and you will not be penalized in any way for your score.

Who must take the test?

Assessment is part of the matriculation process and is necessary for students who need to satisfy math, English or reading prerequisites, or plan to do one or more of the following:

• Transfer to a four-year institution
• Earn a degree or certificate
• Register for more than 6 units
• Enroll in a course that has a math or English prerequisite

Students with degrees are exempt from assessment unless they need to satisfy prerequisites or they choose to participate in this matriculation component. English 28 or English 101and Math 115 or higher is required for graduation.

You must have an application on file to take the test. If it is determined that you do not have a student application on file you will be excluded from the test. You can get a student application at the Student Assistance Center located in AD105 or complete the application online at: http://www.laccd.edu/district/student_information/application_instructions.htm

To Make an Appointment

Come to AD 103 to make an appointment. AD 103 is located in the Cesar Chavez Administration Building. The office hours are 8:30 am to 7:00 pm, Monday -Thursday; and 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, Friday.

You will be given an appointment slip. You must bring this appointment slip and a picture ID on the day of the test.

When can I take the test? Click Here for ASSESSMENT TEST CALENDAR [PDF]

Click above for the test schedule, but you must have an appointment to take the test. Often test appointments are available on the same day as the test.

Assessment test facts

What should I bring to the test?
Bring a picture ID and your assessment appointment slip to the assessment test.

Relax!

Where are the tests held?
Gather outside the Learning Resource Center at the front stairs at least 10 minutes before your appointed test time. Do not enter the building until a proctor instructs you to do so. You may not enter the testing room after the test has begun. If you are late to the testing site, please proceed directly to AD 103 to reschedule your appointment.

How long will the tests last?
Please budget about 3 hours if you are taking both the Math and English placement tests. Budget approximately 1hour if you are taking the ESL essay.

What rules must be observed during the test?
Your proctor will give you brief instructions before walking you into the Assessment Center located in the Learning Resource Center. When you walk through the Center, please remember that you are in a multipurpose facility and that keeping noise to a minimum is appreciated.

No food or beverages will be allowed. You may not use textbooks, notes, dictionaries, or calculators. Turn cell phones off. You may not use the computer for anything other than taking the assessment exam.

Any form of fraud (using a false name or social security/ID number, taking the exam for another student or any other form of cheating) constitutes a violation of the Standards of Student Conduct and may result in disciplinary action.

Your proctor will explain the process once you are in the Assessment Center. It is important that you enter your correct student ID number that starts with 88. The Admissions Office will provide you with a student ID number. Do you not use your driver’s license number, work identification number, etc. Using such numbers will only delay the time in which you get your assessment results and are able to register for your classes.

When will I get my test results?
The results of the placement tests will be available at AD 103 during normal business hours) within three business days of your test date. Results are also available online at http://www.laccd.edu/student_information/current_students.htm.
(Note: The proctor will tell you when your results will be available.)

Special accommodations

What if I need special accommodations for the test?
The college staff provides appropriate assistance to students with special needs. (e.g. the hearing impaired may require interpreters and the visually impaired may need access to a print enlargement system). Learning disabled students may be given diagnostic tests administered by trained staff. Please contact the Office of Special Services (OSS) for more information: Clausen Hall, Room 109. http://www.lacitycollege.edu/services/DSPS/index.html

Assessment and Course Level

You may enroll in a course at or below your placement level, but not above. For example, if you place in Math 112 you may enroll in Math 112 or Math 105 because Math 105 is below Math 112. ESL students may enroll at their placement level or one level below their placement level. For example, if you place in ESL 4 you may enroll in ESL 4 or ESL 3 but not ESL 2.

Next Steps After the Test

What do I do after I receive my test results?
Return to AD 103 or go online to the Matriculation Homepage to schedule an appointment for orientation.

To Dispute the Results / Repeat the Test

May I repeat the test?
You cannot repeat the test within a 6-month period. If you don’t feel well or have other reasons that would prevent you from doing your best on the day of the test, return to AD 103 to reschedule your appointment. Once you have begun the test the resulting scores will determine your placement for 6 months.

What if I don’t agree with my test results?
The placement tests are designed to help you achieve academic success. No one fails the test. The test helps us to determine the most appropriate classes for you to take. Remember we want you to succeed. We don’t want you to be in a class that is too difficult or too easy for you. The assessment process helps us to place you in classes where you have the best opportunity to succeed. The placement tests accurately place the student in the appropriate classes. If you feel you have prior coursework or other evidence that supports your placement in a higher-level class, you may request a “challenge form”. Take the challenge form, your placement results and supporting documents to the Math or English/ESL departments for review.

Special Accommodations

Most new students will take the computerized Math and English placement tests. Students with limited English language ability will take the ESL (English as Second Language) essay exam.

What are the tests like?

Click on the following link for a full description of the Math and English tests and to see sample questions:  Sample Questions [PDF]

The ESL test is a written essay. You will have 40 minutes to respond in essay format to a topic. Trained raters will score the essay based on content, organization, development of ideas, grammar, spelling, and format. You will be placed in ESL 0 to ESL 6 or referred to the computerized English test for further testing based on your ESL test score.

Special Chemistry 101 Assessment

Explanation [Word Doc]
Sample Questions [PDF]