Placement Testing / Assessment
Assessment is about finding your starting point in college. If you plan to earn a degree or certificate, transfer to a four-year institution, or take a math or English course, you may need to assess your skill level before you register for classes.
Assessment Measures
Skyline College offers students multiple assessment measures to determine your appropriate English/ESOL and math placement(s). Assessments determine your skill level in reading, writing, and mathematics. Getting an accurate course placement is key to a successful start in college! The following is a description of the multiple assessment measures:
Student Self-Assessment* (Use grades/GPA from high school)
This measure allows students to use their high school data (English and/or math courses, grades, and GPA) to determine an English and/or math course placement at Skyline College.
*For English and Math only, option not available for ESOL placement.
Alternative Placement Exams* (Use scores from AP test, IB test, etc.)
This measure allows students who have completed an Alternative Placement Exam (ie. AP, IB) with the required minimum score to use the placement result to determine an English and/or Math course placement.
*For English and Math only, option not available for ESOL placement.
Prerequisite Equivalency (Use other college courses/placement tests)
This measure allows students who have (a) completed college level courses in English and/or math at a regionally accredited four-year college or university in the United States; or (b) have taken a placement exam at a California Community College use their courses and/or exam results to determine an English and/or Math course placement.
Placement Exams* (Take a placement test)
This measure allows students to take an English/ESOL and/or math placement exam to determine course placement.
*For English/ESOL and Math.
Exemptions from Assessment
All students who plan on earning a Certificate or Associate Degree, plan on transferring to a four-year college or university, or take an English/ESOL and/or math course at Skyline College, must complete an assessment.
You may be exempt from having to complete an assessment measure if:
- You have completed an Associate or higher degree.
If you completed an Associate Degree, or higher degree, you may be exempt from completing an assessment. Please note that while your degree will exempt you from completing an assessment for the purpose of matriculating into the college, you will still have to meet specific English and/or math prerequisites to enroll in some classes.
To be eligible for this option, you see information on Prerequisite Equivalency. - You are taking a class for personal enrichment.
If you are taking a course for personal enrichment only, you are not required to take an assessment. However, to receive priority registration, you must I have completed a placement exam at another California Community College. Learn more about priority registration through meeting with a Skyline College counselor. - You are only taking a class for enjoyment.
You are not required to take the assessment. Although, in order to qualify for priority registration you must either take an English or math assessment, or submit exemption paperwork if you have previously attended college or hold an AA degree or higher. Priority registration also requires you to complete an orientation and educational planning. Learn more about priority registration through meeting with a Skyline College counselor.
Note: Concurrent Enrollment students cannot be exempt from assessment. Please see Concurrent Enrollment for further information.