Office of Admissions
Fall 2009 Admitted First-Time Freshmen
Step 1 - Fulfill Testing Requirements
All California State University first-time freshmen must fulfill the Entry-Level Mathematics (ELM) and the English Placement Test (EPT) requirements. Refer to the checklists below to determine whether you will need to take the ELM and/or EPT.
You must take the required ELM/EPT tests no later than the May 2, 2009 test date, or you will not be allowed to register for fall classes. You may take the ELM/EPT at other CSU campuses.
Non-residents of California may take the ELM and/or EPT tests on Saturday, August 29, 2009, and your admission will not be compromised. For additional testing options for out-of-state students, contact Student Testing, Assessment and Research at (619) 594-5216.
Important dates and online registration for tests held at SDSU are available on the Student Testing, Assessment and Research Web site.
Test Dates
The following ELM/EPT test dates are being offered at SDSU during spring 2009:
ELM/EPT Test Date |
Online/In-Person |
January 17, 2009 |
January 2, 2009 |
March 14, 2009 |
February 27, 2009 |
March 28, 2009 |
March 13, 2009 |
April 18, 2009 |
April 3, 2009 |
May 2, 2009 |
April 17, 2009 |
Do I need the Entry-Level Mathematics (ELM) Exam?
Answering YES to one or more questions fulfills your ELM requirement. If you answer “NO” to ALL of the following, you must take the ELM.
Did you:
- Score 550 or higher on the mathematics section of the College Board SAT Reasoning test or SAT Subject Tests – mathematics tests level I, IC, II, or IIC (Calculus)?
- Score 23 or higher on the mathematics section of the ACT?
- Score 3 or higher on the Calculus AB or BC examination or on the statistics examination of the College Board Advanced Placement program?
- Pass, with a grade of “C” or higher, a transferable college math course that satisfies the General Education mathematics/quantitative reasoning requirement by the end of the spring 2009 term? (See an SDSU adviser if this applies to you.)
- Receive a result of “Ready for CSU College-Level Mathematics Courses” located on the STAR report of the Early Assessment Program (EAP)?
You are strongly encouraged to take the ELM even if you receive a result “Ready for CSU College-Level Mathematics Courses – Conditional” located on the STAR report of the Early Assessment Program (EAP).
Do I need the English Placement Test (EPT) Exam?
Answering YES to one or more questions fulfills your EPT requirement. If you answer “NO” to ALL of the following, you must take the EPT.
Did you:
- Score 550 or higher on the critical reading section of the College Board SAT Reasoning test?
- Receive a score of 680 or above on the College Board SAT Writing section?
- Score 24 or higher on the English section of the ACT?
- Score 3 or higher on the Language and Composition or the Composition and Literature examination of the College Board Advanced Placement program?
- Pass, with a “C” or higher, a transferable college English composition course that satisfies the General Education composition or critical thinking requirement by the end of the spring 2009 term? (See an SDSU adviser if this applies to you.)
- Receive a result “Ready for CSU College-Level English Courses” located on the STAR report of the Early Assessment Program (EAP)?
- Receive a score of 4-7 on the Higher Level English A1 International Baccalaureate exam?
Test Score Information
Depending on your scores, you may be required to complete one or more remedial classes by the end of your third term at SDSU (including summer). If you do not complete your remediation by the end of your third term (including summer) at SDSU, you will no longer be allowed to attend SDSU.
Be sure to print and discuss the Steps to Enrollment with your parents in order to get the most out of the information.