The Placement Test measure is available to all students, including concurrent high school students, who want to take a placement test to determine an appropriate placement in English/ESOL or math.

  • Appointments are scheduled for one placement subject per 2-hour testing session.
  • Students must check in at least 10 minutes before the appointment with a valid photo identification.
  • All placement tests and make-up exams are held at the Assessment Center in Bldg. 19, 1st floor, Rm.119.
  • Please remember to complete your Skyline College Orientation before scheduling an appointment. 

All tests are untimed, but estimations are as follows:

  • Math: UNTIMED, approximately one (1) hour
  • English: UNTIMED, approximately one hour and thirty minutes (1.5 hours)
  • ESOL: UNTIMED, approximately two (2) hours

Make a Testing Appointment

Please refer to the 'How to Get Started' section on our homepage to determine your next steps.

NOTE: A valid photo identification is REQUIRED before any test is administered.

Placement Test Information:

Placement tests are used to help you determine which English class will best prepare you to be successful in your college career.

What will the placement test cover?

The placement test will evaluate your reading comprehension and your understanding of writing at the sentence-level. Your results on these two tests will place you into English 105, 100, Honors 100 or SEE COUNSELOR.

How do you prepare for the English placement test?

Review the Sample Questions under online resources on this site. Make sure you are well-rested and give yourself enough time to arrive at the testing site. Once you start, relax and think carefully about your answers.

After the English placement test, how do you decide which English course to enroll in?

After you take the placement test, you will receive information about your placement through your WebSMART account.  You can contact the English department or your counselor for more information about the course option and the Accelerated Path. 

If you are placed in…

  • ENGL 105: 5-unit course, Composition. Transfer credit: UC; CSU. Check out your options.
  • ENGL 100: 3-unit course, Composition. Transfer credit: UC; CSU. Check out your options.
  • ENGL 100 Honors: This course is a 3-unit course that teaches critical thinking, reading and writing and qualifies for honors credit. This course is transferable to University of California (UC) and California State Universities (CSU). Honors students usually have received an A or B in previous English classes. They may have taken AP English in high school or have received good previous instruction. Honors students want classes with high standards which will allow them to realize ambitious goals. Honors classes also may include more self-directed projects, group work, and presentations than other classes. Honors students will work with like-minded peers and staff who will support them in their academic endeavors.

Where and when can you take the placement test?

Please view the posted location and hours of operation on our homepage

Can anyone be excused from taking the English Placement tests?

Yes. The following students may be exempt from taking the placement test:

  • Those who have completed an English course at another college equivalent to and/or ENGL 105 or 100
  • Those who have taken the English placement test at another California Community College

To waive the placement test, fill out both the SSSP Exemption Petition and the Prerequisite Equivalency Petition form, attach an unofficial academic transcript, and submit it to the Counseling Counter for a counselor review. The on-duty counselor will evaluate your petition to verify the equivalency to Skyline College’s course sequence. 

What can you do if you believe that the placement results do not accurately predict your preparedness for success in a particular English class?

You can go through the Prerequisite Challenge Petition   process with the Language Arts Department located in Bldg. 8, room 8-112. Find out more about how to challenge a prerequisite.

Before taking any Math class at Skyline College, please review your math placement(s) with your counselor. You are also welcome to take a math placement test. You cannot pass or fail a placement test, it simply provides information to you and your counselor about your current skills. If you have materials or notes from your last math class available, it would be helpful to review them before you take your placement test. 

After taking a placement test, make an appointment with a counselor to discuss the results of your placement test and your prior experience in Mathematics. Be sure to bring a copy of your transcripts (if they are available) to the meeting with the counselor. The counselor will help you decide which Math course is most appropriate for you. Be sure to take into consideration all of the prerequisites for any course.

If you feel that the placement test did not adequately reflect your skills, it is possible to retake the test, but this is done an a limited basis. You may wish to talk to one of the Mathematics instructors and your counselor before determining an appropriate class.

Another important consideration in taking a Math class is your proficiency in English. All mathematics classes are taught in English and the instructors will expect that you have a reasonable command of English.

Please note that before you take your Placement Test, you may wish to review Sample Questions to get a sense of what you can expect.

Placement tests help Skyline College know which ESOL class you need to prepare yourself for your college career.

Which test should I take – ESOL, or English? 
You should take the ESOL Placement Test if you answer "No" to ANY of the below questions:

  • Have you lived in the US for six years of more?
  • Do you speak mostly English with family and friends?
  • Are you comfortable writing in English?
  • Can you understand basic instructions in English?

What is on the ESOL placement test?

The ESOL placement test will evaluate your reading comprehension, language use, and listening skills.  Your results on these three tests will place you into the ESOL classes.

How can I prepare for the ESOL placement test?

  • For a few days before the test, make sure you do some reading, writing, speaking, and listening all in English.  
  • Schedule two (2) separate testing appointments to take all of your ESOL and Math placement tests (~2 1/2 to 3 hours).  Give yourself enough time to arrive at the testing site so that you will not feel rushed.
  • Review Sample Questions before your test.
  • Get plenty of rest before the test.

What do my placement results mean?

If you are placed in…

Pre-Level 2:  Skyline College does not offer a full series of classes at this level.  Students who place into this level should attend one or more semesters of adult school.  Please contact Jefferson Adult School or South San Francisco Adult School to enroll in classes. Visit the English Language Institute in room 1218 for help.

Level 2 (ESOL 852, ESOL 820): Students should take classes at this level.  Visit the English Language Institute in room 1218 for help.

Level 3 (ESOL 853, ESOL 830): Students should take classes at this level.  Visit the English Language Institute in room 1218 for help.

Level 4 (ESOL 854, ESOL 840): Students should take classes at this level.  Visit the English Language Institute in room 1218 for help.

Level 5 (ESOL 400, ESOL 875):  ESOL 400 is a 5-unit, very academically rigorous course that prepares students to take college English (ENGL 100). ESOL 875 is strongly recommended for success in ESOL 400.  Visit the English Language Institute in room 1218 for help.

Where and when can I take the placement test?

Please view the posted location and hours of operation on our homepage

What if I don't believe my placement results are accurate?

Visit the English Language Institute in room 1218 to talk with an ESOL faculty or counselor about your placement test results.  There is a Prerequisite Challenge Petition process for ESOL 400.