Requirements, Exams & Testing

The California State University G.E. program requires at least 72 quarter units distributed over six areas and governed by three general requirements. Transfer students must earn 60 units in lower-division courses that meet the requirements of the CSU or IGETC transfer plan. Twelve units of upper-division G.E. will be completed at CSUEB. The lists of courses meeting the requirements change from quarter to quarter and are not included in this catalog because they rapidly become outdated. The list of courses currently meeting each requirement appears in the online Class Schedule each quarter or at: http://www20.csueastbay.edu/ge.  For further information see: General Education-Breadth Requirements below.

Requirements Overview of Baccalaureate Degree Requirements System-wide Placement Test Requirements English Proficiency Requirements Music Auditions and Proficiency Exam Requirement General Education-Breadth Requirements Second Composition Requirement Cultural Groups/Women (CGW) Requirement Performing Arts and Activities Requirement U.S History and Government Code Requirement University Writing Skills Requirement (Undergraduate) Undergraduate Residence, Units, and Grade Point Average Requirements

Exams & Testing Entry-Level Mathematics (ELM) Exam English Placement Test (EPT) Submitting Test Scores Advanced Placement Exams International Baccalaureate Exams Credit by Examination Policy College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Science Equivalency Exam Chemistry, English, Mathematics, and Music Placement Exams French and Spanish Language Placement Exams Challenging Courses via Examinations Testing Services

Requirements

Overview of Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

There are three major parts of a baccalaureate degree and seven basic requirements defined in the California Code of Regulations. Most courses will fall into one of the three major parts of the degree.  See the Requirements, Exams & Testing  Chapter for more detailed information concerning G.E. and degree requirements:

1. the General Education (G.E.) requirements for basic skills and breadth,
2. the major for depth in one field, and
3. electives, which can shape your education in directions you choose. Each of these will be described in later sections.

These are the seven basic requirements for your B.A. or B.S. degree defined in the California Code of Regulations:

• Complete a 72 quarter-unit program of General Education-Breadth requirements including 12 upper-division (3000 or higher) units in G.E. Areas B6, C4, D4 (details to follow).
• Complete one of the majors described in this catalog.
• Complete the U.S. history, U.S. Constitution, and California state and local government requirement through coursework or exams (details to follow). You must also complete one course for the Cultural Groups/Women requirement.
• Satisfy the University Writing Skills Requirement by passing two freshman-level English composition courses (ENGL 1001 and 1002) and the upper-division University Writing Skills Requirement (details to follow).
• Complete a minimum of 45 quarter units in residence enrolled as an admitted student at Cal State East Bay. Up to 36 units taken through Open University and Special Session may be counted for residence. Units in residence must include at least 36 upper division units, 18 units in your major, and 12 units of G.E. (Units you earn at other institutions, and units you earn through Credit-by-Examination are not residence units.)
• Complete at least 180 quarter units for your B.A. degree, 182 quarter units for your B.F.A. degree, or 180-190 quarter units for your B.S. degree. At least 60 of these units must be in upper division courses (courses numbered 3000 and above). No more than 60 units can be graded in the Credit/No Credit pattern (CR/NC or A/B/C/NC). No more than 36 units can be in Continuing Education, Open University, or correspondence credit, and no more than 45 units can be earned credit-by-examination (excepting Advanced Placement).
• Attain a grade point average of at least 2.00 on a 4.00 scale in all units you attempt at Cal State East Bay, all the units you attempt including transfer units, and all units you attempt in the major regardless of the department in which they are taught.

Systemwide Placement Test Requirements

The CSU requires that each entering undergraduate, except those who qualify for an exemption, take the CSU Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) examination and the CSU English Placement Test (EPT) prior to enrollment. These placement tests are not a condition for admission to the CSU, but they are a condition of enrollment. These examinations are designed to identify entering students who may need additional support in acquiring college entry-level English and mathematics skills necessary to succeed in CSU baccalaureate-level courses. Undergraduate students who do not demonstrate college-level skills both in English and in mathematics will be placed in appropriate remedial programs and activities during the first term of their enrollment. Students placed in remedial programs in either English or mathematics must complete all remediation in their first year of enrollment. Failure to complete remediation by the end of the first year may result in denial of enrollment for future terms.

Students register for the EPT (www.csuenglishsuccess.org/ept) and/or ELM (www.csumathsuccess.org/elm_exam). Campus may establish deadlines by which new students must register for and/or take placement exams as a requirement for enrollment.

Questions about test dates and registration materials may be addressed to the Testing Office in Library, Room LI 3165A or, visit the Testing Office Web site, or call (510) 885-3661.

English Language Requirement

Undergraduates

All undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English, and who have not attended schools at the secondary level or above for at least three years full time where English is the principal language of instruction, must present a score of 525 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Some majors and some campuses may require a higher score.

A few campuses may also use alternative methods of assessing English fluency:

• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic),
• the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and
• the International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP).

Each campus will post the tests it accepts on its website and will notify students after they apply about the tests it accepts and when to submit scores.

The CSU minimum TOEFL standard for undergraduate is: 61 - INTERNET, 500 - PAPER

Cal State East Bay Scores:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Undergraduate: 525 (paper-based); 61 (internet-based)
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Undergraduate: 6.0
• APIEL (Advanced Placement International English Test) Undergraduate only: 3
• ELPT (English Language Proficiency Test, part of the SAT II) Only undergraduates and only U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. may use this test.

Graduates & Post-Baccalaureates

The CSU minimum TOEFL standard for graduate / postgraduate is: 80 - INTERNET, 550 - PAPER

Cal State East Bay Scores:

All graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose native language is not English and whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English, must demonstrate competence in English by presenting one of the following: 

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Graduate: 550 (paper-based); 213 (computer-based); 79 (Internet-based)
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Graduate: 6.5

Some graduate programs may require higher scores on these exams.  Please check the specific program section of this catalog for program-specific requirements.

Note: All test scores must be sent directly from the testing institution.

Music Auditions and Proficiency Exam Requirement

Students who declare a major in music must complete examinations and auditions to determine:

1. theory placement,
2. level of applied study,
3. piano proficiency, and
4. major performance ensemble.

These examinations are not a substitute for the Advanced Placement Test in Music and should not be confused with the Advanced Placement Program. Auditions and examinations are scheduled prior to the first week of each quarter. For additional information and specific appointment times, contact the Department of Music, MB 2571, or telephone 885-3135.

General Education-Breadth Requirements

PDF - Narrative Description of G.E. Requirements  

The Cal State East Bay General Education (G.E.) Program is designed so that, taken with the major depth program and electives, it will assure that graduates have made measurable progress toward becoming truly educated persons for a diverse society. Particularly, the purpose of the G.E. Program is to provide means whereby graduates:

• achieve the ability to think clearly and logically, to find information and examine it critically, to communicate orally and in writing, and to reason quantitatively;
• acquire appreciable knowledge about their own bodies and minds, about how human society has developed and how it now functions, about the physical world in which they live, about the other forms of life with which they share that world, and about the cultural endeavors and legacies of their civilizations;
• come to an understanding and appreciation of the principles, methodologies, value systems, and thought processes employed in human inquiries;
• come to understand and appreciate the contributions to knowledge and civilization that members of diverse cultural groups and women have made.

The General Education Program is planned and organized to enable students to acquire abilities, knowledge, understanding, and appreciation as interrelated elements, not as isolated fragments.

The California State University G.E. program requires at least 72 quarter units distributed over six areas and governed by three general requirements. Transfer students must earn 60 units in lower-division courses that meet the requirements of the CSU or IGETC transfer plan. Twelve units of upper-division G.E. will be completed at CSUEB. The lists of courses meeting the requirements change from quarter to quarter and are not included in this catalog because they rapidly become outdated. The list of courses currently meeting each requirement appears in the online Class Schedule each quarter or at: http://www20.csueastbay.edu/ge

Before progressing very far into your G.E. and other degree requirements, be certain you have developed the entry-level learning skills in English composition and mathematics necessary for collegiate success. You must take the EPT/ELM tests before your first enrollment (if not exempt by the other test scores listed in the Registration chapter). If your skills are such that you can begin taking college-level English composition math or statistics immediately, do so at your earliest opportunity, as a freshman if at all possible. (Many majors, including Business Administration and the sciences, require much more math or statistics than the single G.E. course.)

If your skills are not at the collegiate level, you must enroll in Early Start during the summer before your freshman year, enroll in the appropriate remedial course(s) (again, described in the Registration chapter) in your first quarter and complete all remedial courses you need as soon as possible, as a freshman if at all possible. Students who fail the same remedial course twice, fail to enroll continuously in remediation as long as it is required, and/or who fail to complete remediation in six quarters will not be allowed to continue. More information about the Early Start Program may be found at: http://www20.csueastbay.edu/prospective/after-youre-accepted/early-start/

You will not be allowed to register once you have earned 90 units if your first freshman English composition course (ENGL 1001  or equivalent for G.E. Area A2) and your quantitative reasoning course (G.E. Area B4) have not been passed. Cal State East Bay requires that your freshman English composition course be passed before you attempt the Writing Skills Test in your first quarter with junior status (90 or more quarter units).

A word is necessary about the relationship of G.E. to your major. Normally no course in your major department, as designated by course prefix (for example, ANTH, ENGL, GEOL, MUS) can be applied to G.E., even if not applied to your major requirements. For Business Administration majors, courses with the prefixes ACCT, ENTR, FIN, ITM, MGMT, and MKTG will not count for G.E.; and THEA and DANC courses cannot be used by Theatre Arts majors. The only exceptions to this rule are in Area A, in Area B4, in Area C for a MLL course in another language from those in the major, in Area G4, and one course in a thematic freshman learning community (B1-3, C1-3, or D1-3).

On the other hand, courses required for your major, but offered by other departments (for example, MATH for Geology majors, MLL for English majors), can be applied to G.E.

This is why it is important to know your major before you get too far into the G.E. program. Most majors specify certain G.E. courses for their students. If you take a course other than the one specified, you will have to take the required course anyway. Also, if you do not know your major, you could take a course that subsequently ends up in your major and lose it for G.E. credit.

You can view and print the General Education Requirements for Native or Transfer students, as well as Graduation Checklists, respectively, by clicking the appropriate pdf link below.

Links to printable pdfs:

GE - Requirements for Native Students   
Checklist - Graduation for Native Students  

GE - Requirements for Transfer Students  
Checklist - Graduation for Transfer Students  

Second Composition Requirement

A course satisfying G.E. Area A2 (second composition requirement) must be passed with a grade of “A,” “B,” “C,” or “CR.” 

Note: to receive general education credit for G.E. Areas: A1, A2, A3, or B4, students must take a course approved for the corresponding area and must receive a “C-” grade or better in the course. These courses may be taken as CR/NC, and a CR grade will satisfy the requirement

A course meeting the freshman composition requirement assumes that you should, at the time of entry, be able to write brief essays showing adequacy in:

• (a) selection of a controlling idea appropriate to the given writing task,
• (b) coherent development of that idea to a reasoned conclusion,
• (c) use of sentences that demonstrate some structural variety and contain language appropriate to the audience and purposes, and
• (d) control of conventions of standard written English (relative freedom from errors such as fragments, run-together sentences, faulty agreement, and improper pronoun reference) and of mechanics (capitalization, spelling, and punctuation).

The work of the freshman English course is to strengthen these skills by extensive practice in the writing of expository essays suitable for college-level credit. If you are not exempt from the English Placement Test (EPT) and do not score 147 or higher on the EPT test, you must pass one or more remedial English courses before enrolling in a G.E. Area A2 course.

Note: G.E. Area A2 must be completed by the time you reach 90 quarter units or future registration will be blocked.

Cultural Groups/Women (CGW) Requirement

A minimum of 3 quarter units of coursework must recognize the contributions to American civilization and knowledge that members of various cultural groups and women have made. The purpose of this requirement is to provide you with an introduction to the research, literature, and methodologies of the disciplines of ethnic studies and gender/women’s studies from historical, cultural, social, and economic perspectives. Courses are taught by faculty committed to the four competencies listed on the G.E. Program website: http://www.csueastbay.edu/ge/native/cgw.html and are designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of the contributions to U.S. society made by cultural groups [African Americans, Asian Americans, Latino(a) Americans, Native Americans] women, and gays/lesbians (hereafter referred to as “groups”).

Performing Arts and Activities Requirement

G.E. Area F courses that fullfill the Performing Arts and Activities requirement provide an opportunity to develop an appreciation of the visual and performing arts and activities through direct experience. Students are guided by participation toward an understanding of the techniques, processes, and possibilities inherent in such aspects of culture as art, theatre, music, creative writing, and sport. Courses in this area enhance student development through accomplishment. At least 40% of the class time in these courses must be activity or performance.

U.S History and Government Code Requirement

CSU graduates are expected to have knowledge of: significant events in U.S. history; the role of major ethnic and social groups in these events; the political, economic, social, and geographic context of these events; the U.S. Constitution, U.S. political institutions and processes; the rights and obligations of U.S. citizens; the California Constitution; federal-state relations; and California state and local government, and political processes.

You can demonstrate your competence in these fields by either:

(a) passing the CLEP exam in American Government or American History I: Early Colonization to 1877 and the California State and Local Government exam administered by the Testing Office, or

(b) passing two courses (one course from each of the following two categories) which cover all three topics:

First Category:

• ​ES 1201 Ethnicity in American History I  
• HIST 1101 History of the United States to 1877  
• POSC 1201 American Political Institutions  
• HIST 3400 America to 1900  
• POSC 3441 American Constitutional Law: Government  
• POSC 3442 American Constitutional Law: Rights  

Second Category:

• ​ES 1202 Ethnicity in American History II  
• HIST 1102 History of the United States Since 1877  
• POSC 1202 Public Policy/California Politics  
• HIST 3500 History of California  
• POSC 3120 State and Local Politics and Government  
• POSC 3150 Politics of California  

Be aware that receiving credit for any courses applicable to this requirement through a national test such as Advanced Placement, CLEP, or at an out-of-state institution will not satisfy the California state and local government part of this requirement. Please contact the History or Political Science Departments for further information. Students who have completed part of the Code Requirement at a California community college should also consult the History or Political Science Departments to avoid duplicating coursework.   

University Writing Skills Requirement (Undergraduate)

In addition to the lower-division General Education requirements for writing, the California State University system requires all students to demonstrate writing competency at the university level in order to receive a baccalaureate or master’s degree. This requirement was implemented system-wide in 1977. You must satisfy the University Writing Skills Requirement (UWSR) in order to receive a degree from CSUEB unless you are exempt by one of the following criteria:

1. If you have previously satisfied the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement at CSUEB or at another CSU campus, CSUEB will accept official certification of completion if the entire requirement, as specified by that CSU campus, was satisfied and you were a matriculated student at the time.
2. If you have graduated from any one of the CSU campuses; unless it is noted on your transcript that your USWR was not satisfied.
3. If you received an essay score of 4.5 or higher on the GMAT or GRE or an essay score of 53 or higher on the CBEST.
4. If you pass the Writing Skills Test (WST) at Cal State East Bay. See WST (Option One) below for details.
5. If you pass a first-tier writing course and possibly a second-tier writing course (if needed). See Course (Option Two) below for details.

As soon as you have completed 90 quarter units, you will be required to begin steps to satisfy the University Writing Skills Requirement. DO NOT try to satisfy this requirement before completing 90 units or the UWSR will not be met. Complete ENGL 1001  and ENGL 1002 , which are graduation degree requirements, before attempting to satisfy the UWSR.

To satisfy the requirement at CSUEB, you may do one of the following:

• Option One: Register for and pass the Writing Skills Test (WST). See WST (Option One) below.
• Option Two: Enroll in and pass a first-tier writing course (ENGL 3000  or ENGL 3001 ) and possibly a second-tier course, as well. See Course (Option Two) below.

WST (Option One)

The Writing Skills Test consists of an analytic essay that requires you to demonstrate that you can think and write critically. You must pass the WST and satisfy the UWSR with a score of Clear Competence (8) to meet the requirement. If you fail the WST, you have only one opportunity to take it again. If you fail it again, your highest score of the two will determine your placement in courses. If your score is Limited Competence (6), you will be required to take the course option (see below). If your score is Developing Competence (7), you need only take a second-tier course to satisfy the UWSR (see below).

Course (Option Two)

ENGL 3000 and ENGL 3001 are the first-tier writing courses, designed to help students meet the University Writing Skills Requirement. Students who have taken the Writing Skills Test (WST) and have received Limited Competence (6) must take either ENGL 3000 or ENGL 3001 and perhaps a second-tier writing course as well. If you choose to meet this requirement through class work, you do not have to take the WST, although you may take it at any time after achieving junior status, for a total of two attempts, even when enrolled in a writing skills course. Generally speaking, ENGL 3000 is intended for native speakers of English, while ENGL 3001 is intended for non-native speakers. Based on end-of-course portfolio evaluation scores, at the end of the first-tier course you will be advised as to your next step, which will involve one of the following: you may be found to have met the UWSR requirement altogether; you may be directed to enroll in a second-tier course; or, you may be directed to repeat the first tier course.

Two second-tier writing courses are currently offered: ENGL 3003 , and MKTG 3495 . If you passed one of these courses prior to fall 2000, it may not meet the UWSR. For more information on these courses, contact the individual department.

If you have taken the first-tier writing course three times consecutively, have not passed, and have a letter of good faith effort from your most recent first-tier instructor, you may apply to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies for a waiver of the UWSR. If a waiver is granted, your permanent record will note that you were allowed to graduate without having satisfied the UWSR. If you do not satisfy the requirement and do not have a waiver approved, you will not be allowed to graduate. Contact the Dean of Undergraduate Studies for information on this waiver (510.885.2990).

If you receive a grade of “D+” or “D” in a second-tier writing course (taken Fall Quarter, 2000 or later), you may appeal to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, for a waiver of the UWSR. If a waiver is granted, your permanent record will note that you were allowed to graduate without having satisfied the UWSR. If you do not satisfy the requirement and do not have a waiver approved, you will not be allowed to graduate. Contact the Dean of Undergraduate Studies for information on this waiver (510.885.2990).

If you have a verified disability and would like to request accommodations to assist you in satisfying this requirement, contact the Accessibility Services in the Library Complex 2440 or call 510.885.3868 (phone/TTY).

For more information on meeting the University Writing Skills Requirement, see the Testing Office website or call 510.885.3661

Undergraduate Residence, Units, and Grade Point Average Requirements

Residence Requirements

Complete a minimum of 45 quarter units in residence enrolled as an admitted student at Cal State East Bay. Up to 36 units taken through Open University and Special Session may be counted for residence. Units in residence must include at least 36 upper division units, 18 units in your major, and 12 units of G.E. (Units you earn at other institutions, and units you earn through Credit-by-Examination are not residence units.)

Unit Requirements

Complete at least 180 quarter units for your B.A. degree, 182 quarter units for your B.F.A. degree, or 180-190 quarter units for your B.S. degree. At least 60 of these units must be in upper division courses (courses numbered 3000 and above). No more than 60 units can be graded in the Credit/No Credit pattern (CR/NC or A/B/C/NC). No more than 36 units can be in Continuing Education, Open University, or correspondence credit, and no more than 45 units can be earned credit-by-examination (excepting Advanced Placement).

Grade Point Average

Attain a grade point average of at least 2.00 on a 4.00 scale in all units you attempt at Cal State East Bay, all the units you attempt including transfer units, and all units you attempt in the major regardless of the department in which they are taught.

Exams & Testing

Entry-Level Mathematics (ELM) Exam

The Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Examination is designed to assess and measure the level of mathematics skills acquired through three years of rigorous college preparatory mathematics coursework (Algebra I and II, and Geometry) of students entering the California State University (CSU). The CSU ELM must be completed by all non-exempt entering undergraduates prior to enrollment in any course, including remedial courses. Students who score 50 or above on the ELM will be placed in college-level mathematics classes.

Exemptions from the ELM are granted only to those who present proof of one of the following:

• A result of Standard Exceeded: “Ready” for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in mathematics on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam.
• A result of Standard Met: “Conditionally Ready” for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in mathematics on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam and met the conditional requirement.
  • The Conditional requirement may be met by completing an approved math course in the 12th grade and earning a grade of “C” or better. Students who do not meet the conditional requirement will need to participate in the CSU’s Early Start Program, unless exemption was met through one of the following:
    • New SAT: A score between 520-560 on the mathematics section of the new SAT Test*
    • Old SAT: A score between 490 - 540 on the mathematics section of the old SAT Reasoning Test
    • A score between 20 - 22 on the mathematics section of the ACT Test
• New SAT: A score of 570 or above on the mathematics section of the new SAT*
• Old SAT: A score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the old SAT Reasoning Test
• SAT Subject Test: A score of 550 or above on the SAT Subject Test in Mathematics (level 1 or level 2)**
• A score of 23 or above on the ACT Mathematics Test
• A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Calculus AB or Calculus BC
• A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Statistics examination
• Completion and transfer to CSU of a college course that satisfies the requirement in Quantitative Reasoning, provided such a course was completed with a grade of “C” or better

* Note: In March 2016, the College Board began administering a new SAT. The new SAT scores are different than the old SAT scores. The CSU will accept both old and new SAT scores for students graduating in 2020 and prior. Students graduating after 2020 will be required to take the new SAT. **Note: there were no changes to the SAT Subject Tests; therefore, the cut score for the Subject Test in Mathematics (levels 1 or 2) remains the same.

Students required to take this examination must do so as soon as possible after admission and before their first enrollment. If you fail to take the ELM test before your first term of enrollment, a hold will be placed on your registration until you do take the test(s). (The results of this examination do not affect admission.)

Prepare for the test seriously. Review your high school math or take a math refresher course. A performance that is less than your best will make you take more math than necessary. The exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions from three areas: algebra; geometry; and numbers and data.

The CSU has several websites where you can learn more about the ELM and take practice exams.

• CSU Math Success Web site: http://www.csumathsuccess.org/elm_requirement
• CSU Focus on Mathematics booklet: http://www.calstate.edu/sas/documents/FocusonMath.pdf

Students who cannot demonstrate basic competence at the level of intermediate algebra on the examination must take steps to overcome deficiencies in their first quarter of enrollment. Depending on the ELM test score, students will be required to enroll in MATH 800 , MATH 900  and MATH 950 . Courses beginning with zero are not applicable to the baccalaureate degree, but do count toward full-time status and financial aid.

Students who are required to enroll in remedial math coursework must enroll in such coursework in their first quarter and every quarter thereafter, including summer, until remediation is completed. A student who fails the same remedial course twice or does not complete remediation in six consecutive quarters (including summer) has a hold placed on future registration (and is disenrolled if already registered). The hold can only be removed by

1. completing the remedial course failed, or
2. completing all remedial courses (if six quarters have expired), or
3. completing a baccalaureate level mathematics course satisfying G.E. Area B4, Quantitative Reasoning (if 90 quarter units have been completed at another institution). Students who have completed more than 90 quarter units must complete the G.E. course before reentry.

Information bulletins and registration materials for the ELM examination will be mailed to all students who may be subject to the requirements.

The materials may be obtained from the Testing Office: 

• http://www20.csueastbay.edu/academic/colleges-and-departments/apgs/testing/tests/ept-elm/

Note: There is a fee for the ELM.

English Placement Test (EPT)

The English Placement Test (EPT) is designed to assess the level of reading and writing skills of students entering the California State University. The CSU EPT must be completed by all non-exempt entering undergraduates prior to enrollment in any course, including remedial courses. Students who score 147 or above on the EPT will be placed in college-level composition classes.

Exemptions from the EPT are granted only to those who present proof of one of the following:

• A result of Standard Exceeded: “Ready” for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in English on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam.
• A result of Standard Met: “Conditionally Ready” for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in English on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam and met the conditional requirement.
  • The Conditional requirement may be met by completing an approved English course in the 12th grade and earning a grade of “C” or better. Students who do not meet the conditional requirement will need to participate in the CSU’s Early Start Program, unless exemption was met through one of the following:
    • New SAT: A score between 510 - 540 on the Evidenced Based Reading and Writing Section*
    • Old SAT: A score between 460 - 490 on the Critical Reading section of the old SAT Reasoning Test
    • A score of 19 - 21 on the English section of the ACT Test
• New SAT: A score of 550 or above on the Evidenced Based Reading and Writing section*
• Old SAT: A score of 500 or above on the Critical Reading section of the old SAT Reasoning Test
• A score of 22 or above on the ACT English Test
• A score of 3 or above on either the Language and Composition or Composition and Literature examination of the College Board Scholastic Advanced Placement Program
• Completion and transfer to CSU of the credits for 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

* Note: In March 2016, the College Board began administering a new SAT. The new SAT scores are different than the old SAT scores. The CSU will accept both old and new SAT scores for students graduating in 2020 and prior. Students graduating after 2020 will be required to take the new SAT.

Appropriate Coursework Based on EPT Results

Students who score 147 or above are eligible to enroll in ENGL 1001 College Writing I . Students with an EPT score lower than 147 will be enrolled in remedial English courses according to their score. Students who have not taken the EPT will be enrolled in ENGL 0801 The Intensive Learning Experience in Writing I  until the EPT is completed. Questions regarding placements should be directed to the Office of General Education, SA 1500 (1st floor) in the Student Services and Administration Building.

Students who are required to enroll in remedial English coursework must enroll in such coursework in their first quarter and every quarter thereafter, including summer, until remediation is completed. A student who fails the same remedial course twice or does not complete remediation in six consecutive quarters (including summer) has a hold placed on future registration (and is disenrolled from classes if already registered). The hold can only be removed by 1) completing the remedial course which was failed, or 2) completing all remedial courses (if six quarters have expired), or 3) completing the baccalaureate level English course satisfying G.E. Area A2, Written Communication, (if 90 quarter units have been completed at another institution). Students who have completed more than 90 quarter units must complete the G.E. course before reentry.

Remedial courses are not applicable to the baccalaureate degree requirements. However, they do count towards full-time enrollment for financial aid.

You may take the EPT only once. Students whose EPT scores require them to complete remedial English coursework can gain admission to freshman English composition (ENGL 1001) upon completion of their last remedial course (ENGL 0735 , ENGL 0803 , or ENGL 0910 ).

Submitting Test Scores

Freshman and transfer applicants who have fewer than 60 semester or 90 quarter units of transferable college credit are strongly encouraged to submit scores, unless exempt (see “Eligibility Index”), from either the ACT or the SAT of the College Board. Persons who apply to an impacted program may be required to submit test scores and should take the test no later than November or December. Test scores also are used for advising and placement purposes. Registration forms and dates for the SAT or ACT are available from school or college counselors, or from Cal State East Bay’s Testing Office (510) 885-3661.

Applicants may also write or call:

The College Board (SAT) 
Registration Unit, Box 6200
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6200
(609) 771-7588
www.collegeboard.org

ACT
Registration Unit, P.O. Box 414
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
(319) 337-1270
www.act.org

Advanced Placement Exams

Cal State East Bay grants credit toward its undergraduate degrees for successful completion of examinations of the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. Students who present scores of 3 or better will be granted 4-12 quarter units of transfer college credit.

The AP exams are prepared and offered by the College Board. Unit credit will be granted to those passing the exams, but no letter grade will be assigned or computed in a student’s grade point average.

If you have Advanced Placement credit, request the College Board to send your test score(s) to the Office of Admission at Cal State East Bay.

Normally, if Advanced Placement course credits satisfy G.E. Area B, C, and/or D requirements, they will apply to sophomore year general education requirements and not to freshmen clusters because all freshmen benefit from participating in these learning communities. Only if the amount of Advanced Placement credit exceeds what can be applied to the second year will it be applied to freshmen clusters.

Please see the list of exams and credit awarded.

International Baccalaureate Exams

Cal State East Bay recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) as a challenging college-preparatory program. Four (4) to fifteen (15) units of college credit will be awarded for each IB Higher Level Examination passed with a score of 4, 5, 6, or 7. (No credit will be awarded for IB Subsidiary Level passes.) A copy of the official IB transcript must be supplied to the university when credit is requested. All credit is granted in terms of existing Cal State East Bay courses with equivalent subject matter determined by the department.

Please see the list of IB exams and the Cal State East Bay credit awarded.

Credit By Examination Policy

Students may challenge courses by taking examinations developed at Cal State East Bay. Credit shall be awarded to those who pass them successfully. The award of credit for successfully passing any approved examination is subject to the following conditions:

• Credit shall not be awarded for successful passage of any examination if the student previously took that examination during the past quarter.
• Credit shall not be awarded when equivalent degree credit has been granted for regular coursework, credit-by evaluation, or other instructional processes such as correspondence.
• Credit shall not be awarded when credit has been granted at a level represented by the examination in question.
• Duplicate credit shall not be awarded where there are overlapping tests, university level work, or both. Where there is partial overlap, the amount of examination credit shall be reduced accordingly.
• The total amount of credit earned on the basis of externally developed tests, which may be applied to a baccalaureate degree, shall not exceed 45 quarter units. Advanced Placement credit is excluded from this limit.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

This program was created by the College Board to allow students to demonstrate college-level achievement through a series of exams in undergraduate college courses. There are 2900 colleges that grant credit and/or advanced standing for CLEP exams.

California State University East Bay is an open test center and we welcome military personnel. All of the computer-based exams are administered in our testing office.

Please see the list of CLEP exams and the Cal State East Bay credit awarded.

Science Equivalency Exam

Students who pass the American Chemistry Society Cooperative Examination in General Chemistry at or above the 50th percentile will receive 5 units of credit.

Chemistry, English, Mathematics, and Music Placement Exams

Placement examinations are given in Chemistry, English, Mathematics, and Music. These are not admission tests, but a way to determine what courses best match your level of preparation. We strongly recommend completion of these tests before your first quarter of registration.

French and Spanish Language Placement Exams

Placement exams in French and Spanish languages are offered on a continuing basis through the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. If you have prior language experience but are uncertain of your level of ability (elementary, intermediate, or advanced), you are encouraged to consult with a faculty advisor before enrolling in a French or Spanish language course. Placement exams are given only on the recommendation of faculty.

Challenging Courses

Students may challenge courses by taking examinations developed at Cal State East Bay. Credit shall be awarded to those who pass them successfully. No instructor is obliged to offer credit-by-examination for a course.

The university recognizes that exceptional students, by reason of special studies or experiences, may already have achieved the objectives of certain courses in the basic program; therefore, students with this background may petition to receive credit in selected courses by special examination. Such an examination is normally from three to six hours in length and may be oral as well as written. Each course may be challenged only once.

Students who wish credit under this plan must enroll for the course during the enrollment period for the units to be earned by the examination. The class being challenged for credit must be listed in the Class Schedule for the particular quarter. Obtain a petition for credit by examination from the office of the department offering the course, and get the permission of both the instructor and department chair. The examination must be administered during the first two weeks of the quarter and the results, in grade form, must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the end of the fifth week. The instructor is responsible for notifying the student of the results of the examination.

If the exam is passed with a grade of “C-” or higher, the letter grade and credit by examination will be indicated on the student’s permanent record. If students receive a grade of “D+,” “D,” or “F” on the examination, the student must either continue taking the course formally or officially withdraw from it within one week after completing the examination. (Note: The instructor need not inform the Office of the Records and Registration of the grades “D+,” “D” or “F.”) Some departments (e.g., Modern Languages and Literatures) only allow their courses to be challenged for a “CR” grade.

No more than 36 quarter units of credit obtained by challenging courses may be applied toward the baccalaureate degree. No credit earned by examination may be used to satisfy the requirement of 45 quarter units in residence at Cal State East Bay.

Testing Services

The Testing Office provides standardized testing and scoring for students, faculty, and administration. The office administers a variety of tests including placement and proficiency tests for Cal State East Bay and other CSU campuses and national admission and matriculation tests for undergraduates and graduates.

There are two test requirements of which all students should be aware:

The EPT and ELM (English Placement Test and Entry Level Math Test) are required of all new undergraduates before enrollment except for a few categories of exemptions. You may be exempt from the EPT/ELM requirements if you can meet the waiver requirements. (See “Which undergraduate placement examinations do I need to take?” in the Registration chapter.) You will be mailed an EPT/ELM test application upon admission to Cal State East Bay. Contact the Admissions Office, Academic Advising and Career Education, or on the Testing Office website.

The Writing Skills Test (WST) must be taken by all undergraduate students at the beginning of the junior year, and by all graduate students upon admission to a program unless they elect to meet the requirement through coursework. For test dates and registration information, Please check the Testing Office website, and select WST.

Other tests for Cal State East Bay students to be aware of include the following:

The State Education Code State Education requirements in U.S. History, the U.S. Constitution, and California State and Local Government (CODE) in may be met by coursework or a special set of tests developed by the College Board called CLEP. For additional information and registration, please contact the Testing Office at (510) 885-3661.

Other tests administered by the Testing Office:

The ACT (American College Test) and the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), one of which is required for entering freshmen and transfer students with less than 90 acceptable quarter units. Test results are not required of students earning high school grade point averages of 3.00 or higher (3.61 for nonresidents). Information about other tests administered on campus is available on the Testing Office website.

The MAT (Miller Analogies Test) is required by some graduate departments. See graduate program chapters in this catalog for further information. Additional information can be found by contacting the Testing Office at (510) 885-3661.

For information about the following contact the Testing Office at (510) 885-3661.

• CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test),
• CLAD/BCLAD (Bilingual Cross-cultural Language and Academic Development Examinations),
• CLEP (College-Level Examination Program),
• GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test),
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations),
• LSAT (Law School Admissions Test),
• MCAT (Medical College Admission Test),
• RICA (Reading Instruction Competence Assessment), and
• PRAXIS (Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers)
• TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills)
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language),