EPT: English Placement Test
Important Links
- EPT/ELM Information Bulletin
- Focus on English study guide (pdf)
- Early Assessment Program
Navigation
WHO MUST SATISFY THE CSU ENGLISH PLACEMENT TEST (EPT) REQUIREMENT?
The CSU English Placement Test (EPT) is designed to assess the level of reading and writing skills of entering undergraduate students so that they can be placed in appropriate courses. Those undergraduate students who do not demonstrate college-level skills will be directed to courses or programs designed to help them attain these skills. The test is not a condition for admission to the CSU, but it is a condition of enrollment. Students may take the EPT only once. It may not be repeated.
WHAT ARE THE EXEMPTIONS?
The CSU English Placement Test must be completed by all entering undergraduates, with the exception of those who meet of one of the following exemptions:
- a score of 550 or above on the VERBAL section of the College Board SAT Reasoning Test taken between April 1995 and January 2005
- a score of 550 or above on the CRITICAL READING section of the College Board SAT Reasoning Test taken March 2005 or after
- a score of 680 or above on the College Board SAT II: Writing Test taken May 1998 and January 2005
- a score of 24 or above on the ACT English Test taken October 1989 or later
- a score of 3, 4, or 5 on either the Language and Composition or the Literature and Composition examination of the College Board Advanced Placement Program
- completion and transfer to the CSU of 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
- placement in the "Ready for College" category on the Early Assessment Program (EAP) English test taken in conjunction with the 11th grade California Standards Test in English Language Arts.
PENALTIES
Unless you are exempt, you must take the EPT and the ELM prior to enrollment in the CSU. According to CSU Executive Order 665, if you do not take these tests prior to the time of enrollment, you will not be allowed to enroll.
WHEN WILL THE EXAM BE GIVEN?
The EPT is given on the same dates as the ELM (Entry Level Math Test). The ELM and the EPT may be taken individually or as a combination.
When should you take your EPT/ELM?
| 2008 TEST DATES | REGISTRATION DEADLINES |
|---|---|
| January 12, 2008 | 5pm - December 14, 2007 |
| March 15, 2008 | 5pm - February 29, 2008 |
| May 3, 2008 | 5pm - April 18, 2008 |
| June 7, 2008* | 5pm - May 23, 2008 |
| July 19, 2008 | 5pm - July 3, 2008 |
| September 20, 2008 | 5pm - September 5, 2008 |
*The June 2008 test date at Cal Poly is a week earlier than the Statewide test date of June 14. The June 14 test will not be given at Cal Poly because it conflicts with Graduation Day.
Students must pre-register for the exam by the registration deadline. Late or walk-in registration is NOT PERMITTED at Cal Poly.
REGISTRATION
Students may take their tests here at Cal Poly or at any other CSU campus that is convenient to them. When you come to take your test, there will be a place on your answer sheet where you will be asked to indicate which CSU campuses you want the scores to be sent to. (You may select up to four.) Official scores will then be automatically sent to the campuses you select, and you will also receive a personal copy for your own records, sent to the home address you provide on the answer sheet.
REQUESTING SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: Students wanting to test at Cal Poly who need special testing accommodations due to disabilities or need non-Saturday testing due to religious convictions should see our on-line registration page.
To register to take the ELM and/or the EPT at Cal Poly see our on-line registration page.
To register to take the tests at another CSU campus see the EPT/ELM Information bulletin or visit other campus websites.
OUT-OF-STATE TESTING: Students can arrange to take the EPT and ELM tests outside the state of California. Call Educational Testing Service (ETS) at (925)808-2142 or e-mail csuout-of-state@ets.org. Out of state testing is arranged for the 2nd week of the month, except in May when the test is the first week. There is an additional fee of $50 for testing outside of California. ETS is the company that publishes and scores the tests. They can arrange for them to be given at a high school or college in your area.
FEES
The cost of the each exam (ELM or EPT) is $18, paid at the time the exam is taken. If both tests are taken, the cost is $36. You must present a check or money order on the day of the test, payable to "ETS". Cash will not be accepted.
EPT POLICIES AT CAL POLY
To find out more about the EPT testing policies at Cal Poly, including explanation of the EPT requirements for high school students vs transfer students and EPT score interpretation, see the Writing Skills Program website.
WHAT THE TEST WILL COVER
To find out more about what’s on the test, see Focus on English (pdf), a publication of the California State University System.
See the CSU English Success Website for test review questions.
Additional details may be found at the official CSU EPT/ELM Website