Welcome to City College of
San Francisco! Now that you have submitted your application, you
are ready for the next few steps—placement testing, orientation and
counseling.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THESE
PLACEMENT TESTS?
These tests are one
way of measuring your skills in Math and English (or ESL). You and
your counselor will use these results (together with other
information about you) to decide on a program of courses that best
suits your needs and interests. Your test results are used for
placement purposes only and cannot prevent you from attending CCSF.
CAN I BE EXCUSED FROM ANY OR ALL OF
THE PLACEMENT TESTS?
You can be excused
from taking any or all of the placement tests if:
1.
You
are waiving the English and/or Math placement test on the basis of
completing specific college courses or standardized tests.
*See Placement Test Waiver Form.
2.
You
are exempting from the assessment component on the basis of an AA
degree or higher, or enrolling in no more than 9 units of courses
with no prerequisites. *See the Matriculation Exemption Form.
Forms are available at the Admission Office in Conlan Hall,
Room 107 and online. For more information, please call 239-3285.
WHICH TESTS DO I
TAKE?
All students must
take either the ENGLISH or ESL test:
ENGLISH
(1-1/2 hours) For
native English speakers (or those whose primary language is English)
or
ESL
(English as a
Second Language)--(1-1/2 hours) For those whose primary language is
not English
MATHEMATICS
City
College
administers three levels of mathematics placement testing.:
ARITHMETIC
(45 min) – For
students who need to strengthen their basic arithmetic skills or who
may be ready to study Elementary Algebra.
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA
(45 min) – For students who have studied beginning algebra and may
be ready to study Intermediate or Advanced Algebra.
COLLEGE LEVEL MATH (45 min) – For
students who wish to enroll in Trigonometry, Calculus, or higher.
Students may take one or more of the tests; however, all
students must begin with either the Arithmetic Test or Elementary
Algebra Test. To help you decide which test to begin with,
please review the sample questions
before you arrive at the testing session. The following
questions should also help you to decide which test to begin with:
SHOULD I BEGIN WITH
THE ARITHMETIC OR ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA TEST?
1) Do you need a review of basic arithmetic (including
operations with fractions and decimals)?
Yes No
2) Do you need a review of basic algebra?
Yes No
If you answered
YES to Question 1 or 2,
begin with the Arithmetic Test.
If you answered
NO to both Questions 1 and 2,begin with the Elementary Algebra
Test.
SHOULD I TAKE THE
ENGLISH OR ESL (ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE) TEST?
1. Is English the
first language you learned as a child?
Yes No
2. Did you
complete most of your education in the English
language? Yes No
3. Do you usually
speak English with your friends and/or co-workers?
Yes No
If you answered
NO
to more than one of these questions, you should take CCSF ESL
Placement Test. Even if you have been in this country for several
years, you will benefit from CCSF ESL courses, which are offered at
many levels. If your results on the ESL Placement Test indicate that
you would benefit from general English courses, you will be advised
to enroll directly in general English.
CHEMISTRY PLACEMENT TEST
Students who wish to enroll in CHEM 101A, 103A, 208A, or 212A may
need to take the Chemistry placement Test. See the CCSF Catalog for
a description of CHEM course prerequisites. The Chemistry Placement
Test schedule is available at the Testing Office, Conlan Hall Rm
203, or online.
CAN I TAKE THE PLACEMENT TESTS BY COMPUTER?
You
can take the English, ESL and Math Placement Tests in either a
computerized or paper-pencil format.
Computerized version:
Computerized tests are administered in the
CCSF Computerized
Assessment Center in the basement of Conlan Hall Rm E5. Seating is
limited. Reservations can be made in person at the Testing Office
in Conlan Hall Rm 203, or by phone (415) 239-3124.
Paper-pencil version:
Students may attend the paper-pencil version of the tests on
a drop-in basis. No reservation is required. For dates and times
of both computerized and paper-pencil testing, consult the CCSF
Placement Testing Schedule.
HOW MANY TIMES MAY
I TAKE THE CCSF PLACEMENT TESTS?
If you have never
enrolled in an English or ESL or Math class:
You may retake the placement tests after three months.
If you are
currently enrolled in an English or ESL or Math class:
You may NOT retake the placement tests.
If you have
completed or withdrawn from an English or ESL class:
You may retake the test(s) six months after completion
or withdrawal from the class(es).
The CCSF placement tests are for initial placement only and
may not be used to jump to higher courses in the program. If you
wish to jump courses in ESL or English, contact the ESL or English
coordinator.
DO I NEED TO BRING
ANYTHING TO THE TEST?
Yes, you must bring your photo ID (e.g. driver’s license,
passport, etc). All testing materials will be provided.
HOW CAN I GET A
COPY OF MY TEST RESULTS?
You can pick up
a copy of your test results
in person
thirty minutes prior to your scheduled orientation at the Testing
Office in Conlan Hall Rm 203.
OR
You can print a
copy of your test results by accessing them
online
(only if your
admissions Application has been processed)
at
http:/www.ccsf.edu/w4.
WHAT IS
ORIENTATION?
Orientation is a
workshop conducted by a CCSF counselor that acquaints you with the
registration process, college facilities, academic and vocational
programs, student services, and college procedures, as well as
academic expectations and opportunities. See the Placement Testing
Schedule for in-person orientation dates or complete orientation
online at
http://www.ccsf.edu/New_Students/Orientation.
ARE THERE SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR DISABLED STUDENTS?
Special testing and
orientation for students with disabilities are available. To make
arrangements and for further information, contact Disabled Student
Programs and Services, Rosenberg Library, Rm 323 or call 452-5481
(Voice/TDD).
WHAT WILL I DISCUSS
WITH A COUNSELOR?
After orientation,
you and a counselor will discuss your educational goals. The
counselor will help you develop a list of appropriate course choices
for your semester at
City
College.
After you
have completed placement testing, orientation, and counseling,
submit proof of completion to the Admissions and Records Office,
Conlan Hall, Room 107 to activate your registration appointment.
If
you have additional questions, please call
the Office of Matriculation and
Assessment, 239-3751, Conlan Hall, Room 204.