Testing & Placement

If you have a disability that would prevent you from taking an exam under standard conditions, you may request special accommodations and arrangements. Accommodations based on disabilities will be granted to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students who wish to request such accommodations should contact: the Office of Accessibility Services.

PREPARE FOR YOUR EXAM

Before the Exam

Make sure you have the necessary identification and devices for a smooth and secure testing experience.

• Photo ID: Ensure you have a valid, current government-issued physical photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport). Digital, photocopied, or faxed IDs are not accepted.
• Email: Leading up to the day of your exam, please always check your email and follow any instructions that we send.
• Punctuality: Students are to report 30 minutes prior to their scheduled exam to check in. Students who are late to an in-person exam may be required to reschedule their exam.
• Restroom Use: Use the restroom beforehand to avoid disruptions.
• Special Accommodations:  Requests must be arranged at least two weeks prior to the exam date. Late submissions may require rescheduling. Please contact the Office of Accessibility Services for additional information.

ESSENTIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

During and After the Exam

• In-Person Testing: For in person exams, check in with your photo ID, follow the proctor's instructions, and remain in your assigned seat. Only permitted devices should be powered on and accessible. Turn off and store all other devices (e.g., phones, headsets, watches). Calculators, scrap paper, and writing tools are allowed only if specified. Submit all materials before leaving the room.
• Violations: Violating Testing Center rules or guidelines set by the professor or exam provider may lead to academic disciplinary action. In-person violations may result in removal by Public Safety.

What are CUNY’s proficiency requirements?

What is the Proficiency Index and how will it work?

The proficiency index is a formula that combines overall high school grade point average with SAT and Regents scores to determine whether the student has a good chance of succeeding in a credit-bearing math or English course without any additional support. The  proficiency index scores will be used to determine whether the student is eligible to begin in college level English and math or if remedial intervention is necessary.

There are separate proficiency formulas for math and English. Both use information that is already part of the application for freshman admissions: student’s overall high school GPA at the time of application, SAT scores, and Regents scores. If an applicant has both SAT scores and Regents scores, the formula will use both scores, but if they have only Regents or only SAT, it will use whichever is available. If an applicant does not have any relevant Regents Exam or SAT scores, proficiency in English and math will be assessed based on high school GPA or High School Equivalency exam scores. The formula places more weight on high school grades than test scores, but higher test scores can help offset lower grades and vice versa.

What Proficiency Index scores are needed to achieve proficiency in English and math?

• English: a score of 65 or more
• Math: a score of 60 or more

Students can demonstrate that they meet the University’s proficiency requirements in English and Math based on their SAT, ACT, or NY State Regents test scores:

English

Students may meet the proficiency requirement in English by documenting any one of the following:

• SAT I Verbal score of 480 or higher or SAT Critical Reading score of 480 or higher or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section score of 480 or higher
• ACT English score of 20 or higher
• NY State English Regents score of 75 or higher

Mathematics

Students may meet the proficiency requirement in mathematics by documenting any one of the following:
SAT Math score of 500 or higher

• SAT Math score of 500 or higher
• SAT Math Section (exam date March 2016 and thereafter), score of 530 or higher
• ACT Math score of 21 or higher
• NY State Regents:
  • Common Core Regents: Score of 70 or higher in Algebra I or a score of 70 or higher in Geometry or a score of 65 or higher in Algebra 2.
  • Score of 80 or higher in Integrated Algebra or Geometry or Algebra 2/Trigonometry AND successful completion of the Algebra 2/Trigonometry or higher-level course.
  • Score of 75 or higher in one of the following:
    • Math A or Math B
    • Sequential II or Sequential III

CUNY’s Proficiency Index
Students who do not achieve the required scores on SAT, ACT, or New York State Regents Exams can satisfy the proficiency requirements with:

• An English proficiency index score of 65 or higher
• A math proficiency index score of 60 or higher

Detailed information about the proficiency index is available below.

Baccalaureate Programs

Candidates for freshman admission to a bachelor’s degree program must show that they are proficient in English and math on the basis of the SAT, ACT, New York State Regents, or meet the proficiency index scores  in order to be admitted.
Students who do not meet the proficiency requirements should speak to an admissions counselor to get more information about the best choice for their individual circumstances.
Three groups of students may be admitted to a bachelor’s program without first demonstrating proficiency:

• Applicants who already have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited program. (However, ESL applicants may be asked by their college to take Accuplacer ESL to assess their English language skills);
• Applicants who meet the proficiency requirement in math, who meet the University’s definition of ESL, and who meet all other admissions requirements may be admitted. These students must meet proficiency in English within two years of initial enrollment;
• Applicants who qualify for the SEEK program. SEEK students must meet the University’s proficiency requirement in English within one year of initial enrollment, and must meet the proficiency requirement in mathematics within two years of initial enrollment.

Associate Programs
Candidates for freshman admission to an associate program do not have to demonstrate proficiency in English or math based on the SAT, ACT, New York State Regents, or CUNY’s proficiency index to be admitted.  Students who do not meet the proficiency requirement in one or more areas have several options:

• Enroll in a free summer/winter immersion program.
• Participate in CUNY Start, Math Start, or CLIP.
  Enroll in the necessary corequisite courses at a CUNY community college, or in an associate program at a comprehensive college.
  Once enrolled in an associate program, students may be required to take one or more corequisite courses to build their skills in any area in which they have not demonstrated proficiency.

Candidates for transfer admission to a bachelor’s degree program must show that they are proficient in English and math in order to be admitted.  Transfer applicants for an associate degree program do not have to demonstrate proficiency to be admitted. Proficiency requirements can be met based on the SAT, ACT, NYS Regents exams, CUNY’s proficiency index, or prior English or math college-level courses:

Transfer Students From Outside CUNY

• Students with a 3-credit college-level English course with a grade of ‘C’ or better from an accredited college or university (where English is the primary language of instruction) have satisfied the proficiency requirement in English.
• Students with a 3-credit college-level math course with a grade of ‘C’ or better from an accredited college or university have satisfied the proficiency requirement in math.

Transfers from a CUNY College
All students who wish to transfer from a CUNY associate program to a CUNY bachelor’s program must meet the University’s proficiency requirements in English and mathematics to be admitted.  Students may meet these requirements via the SAT, ACT, New York State Regents, or the proficiency index. Additional ways of meeting proficiency requirements:

• Students who have successfully completed the top-level remedial Reading/ESL Reading course at a CUNY college satisfy the reading portion of the English proficiency requirement. Likewise, students who have successfully completed the top-level remedial Writing/ESL Writing course at a CUNY college satisfy the writing component of the English proficiency requirement.
• Students who successfully complete a 3-credit college-level English course at a CUNY college satisfy the proficiency requirement in English.
• Students who have successfully completed Elementary Algebra (or approved alternative offered by the college) or a 3-credit college-level math course at a CUNY college satisfy the proficiency requirement in math.