College of Staten Island
 The City University of New York
 
  
College Testing Office
Alan Hoffner, Director

Location: South Administration Bldg (1A), Room 104
Telephone: (718) 982.2380
Fax: (718) 982.2494

College Testing Office

The Department of Student Services administers the Skills Assessment Testing Program through which students demonstrate their proficiency in the basic skills of reading, writing, and mathematics. Interest testing and other forms of educational testing are available.

Freshman Skills Assessment Program

The Freshman Skills Assessment Program began with a resolution passed by the Board of Trustees of CUNY stating that students must demonstrate their proficiency in basic learning skills by the time they reach their junior year in college. The purpose of the program is to ensure that students have the skills necessary to take advantage of the opportunities for learning provided by their college. Students lacking those skills will receive special assistance to help prepare them for college work.

The program includes tests in three skills areas: reading, writing, and mathematics. In each of these areas, the University has set standards defining readiness to do college work. Students who do not meet these standards by the beginning of their junior year will not be permitted to enroll in further college courses until they have met the standards.

Although the requirements must be met by the junior year, the tests are given to entering freshmen, so that students who are weak in any skills area can obtain help from their college. Students who do not meet these CUNY standards the first time they take any of the tests will have opportunities to retake the tests at later dates.

The tests establish minimum standards throughout CUNY, and students who meet these standards have satisfied the University requirements. Individual colleges, as part of their own requirements, often set higher standards before they permit students to enroll in certain courses.

Student Information Bulletin

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