Assessment Home Page
Frequently Asked Questions
Basic Skills Assessment

Test Dates

Study Guides & Test Preparation

Exemptions to Testing/
Transfer Students

Exempt Classes

Test Accommodations

Understanding Your Results/
Description of Courses

Prerequisites / Recommended Prep.

Challenging Prerequisites
Retesting

AP Exam - College Credit

GED Preparation

Microbiology Prerequisite

English as a Second Language
(ESL) Assessment

Chico State Students

High School Students

Financial Aid Testing

Exemptions to Testing

To be considered as an exemption from the BSA, you will need to provide the necessary paperwork (see below) to the Assessment Office for evaluation and clearance. Unofficial transcripts and grade reports are acceptable for establishing placement. If you have had official transcripts sent to the College, you'll need to contact our office directly to request an evaluation for placement purposes or to meet a prerequisite. Allow a minimum of two working days for the evaluation to be completed. Transcripts from colleges that are out of state will require one week for completion of the evaluation.

You can mail, fax (530-895-2249) or hand deliver your documents to the office. Faxing can be done through the Chico Center located at 2330 Forest Avenue. Be sure to include your phone number and your orientation or registration date with your materials. Call our office to ensure your material was received and to determine if everything is cleared for you in the computer prior to attending orientation or calling to register for your classes.

The following conditions will exempt a student from the BSA but may not provide clearance for enrollment into specific English, math or reading classes. Call the Assessment Office to verify what your course eligibility will be.

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED - Needs to be Evaluated Before Registration

Degree Holders
Students who have been awarded an Associate or higher degree. Need to provide verification of degree. Placement levels will be established based on type of degree.

CSU, Chico Students
Students enrolled at CSU, Chico who have high enough SAT/ACT/EPT scores (see below for the necessary scores) can be used to satisfy the Assessment restriction only. Check out the information under Chico State Students.

Transfer Students - Placement Tests
Students who have completed placement tests at other colleges in California. Need to provide documentation of your class placement at the other college and the date of the test. The Reading Assessment may need to be completed.

Transfer Students - Completed College Coursework
Students who have completed college course work in English and math with grades of "C" or better. Need to provide transcripts (unofficial is okay) or grade reports. If a freshman composition class has not been completed, the Reading Assessment will need to be taken.

SAT / ACT / EPT / CLEP / AP Exams
Qualifying test scores from the SAT, ACT or EPT can be used to satisfy the Assessment restriction; however, eligibility will not be established for enrollment into English and math classes. Passing scores on English and math exams from the Advanced Placement (AP) or CLEP can be used to grant college credit for math and English courses (contact the Assessment Office for more information on these exams). Need to provide score reports for any of these exams to the Assessment Office.

NO DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED - Confirmed at the Time of Registration

Exempt Classes Only
Students enrolling in only performance classes (e.g., drawing, etc.), activity classes (e.g., P.E., etc.) or other specified classes. Check the list of exempt classes printed in the Class Schedule or contact the Assessment Office (895-2350).

One or Two Classes
Students enrolling in one or two non-exempt classes who do not intend to earn a degree or certificate (assessment is required for reading, English, math and ESL classes).