The California State University (CSU) no longer uses ACT or SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility for all CSU campuses. If accepted to a CSU campus, ACT or SAT test scores can be used as one of the measures to place students in the proper mathematics and written communication courses. Visit the CSU Student Success site for further information on course placement. For more information on admission criteria, please visit the First-Time Freshman Guidance and the First-Time Freshman Frequently Asked Questions pages.
Testing Requirements
Freshman Prior to Admission
Reporting ACT and SAT Scores
If you choose to take the ACT or SAT tests, you may still report your scores for consideration in course placement.
ACT
- Write in your ACT ID correctly onto your Cal State Apply application in the Standardized Tests section. Unsure of your ACT ID? Visit ACT.org.
- On the ACT score report, you should have listed at least one CSU campus, as the score recipient. This will allow the CSU to send the scores to all campuses in which you applied, based on the matching ACT ID number – so make sure you type this in correctly.
- You can check to see if your ACT score has been matched to your Cal State Apply application by logging in and reviewing the Check Status page.
If you notice that your ACT scores have not been attached to your Cal State Apply application, contact the Applicant Help Center .
SAT
- Write in your College Board ID correctly onto your Cal State Apply application in the Standardized Tests section.
- On the College Board score report, you should have listed a CSU campus, or the CSU systemwide institution code (3594), as the score recipient. This will allow the CSU to send the scores to all campuses in which you applied.
To check where your scores were sent, or for more information on locating your College Board ID, visit this page. - You can check to see if your ACT score has been matched to your Cal State Apply application by logging in and reviewing the Check Status page. If you notice that your ACT scores have not been attached to your Cal State Apply application, contact the Applicant Help Center.
TESTS TO EARN COLLEGE CREDIT: AP, IB and CLEP CREDIT Students may earn general education or lower-division major credits by taking a CSU-accepted external examination in place of a course.
The CSU faculties have determined the passing scores, minimum units of credit earned, and certification area (for General Education Breadth and/or U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals) of standardized external examinations, such as
Advanced Placement (AP),
International Baccalaureate (IB), and
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP).
Each campus in the California State University system determines how it will apply credits earned by external examinations toward the degree major.
GRADES IN “A-G” COURSES
The grades you earn in high school are the most important factor in CSU admission decisions. Your high school grade point average is calculated using your grades in all your college prep "a-g" classes completed after the 9th grade.
If you are accepted to a CSU campus ACT or SAT test scores will be used as one of the measures to place you in the proper mathematics and English courses. You can visit the
CSU Student Success site for further information on course placement.
EARLY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (EAP)
The Early Assessment Program (EAP) lets you know if you are ready for college-level work in English and mathematics at the end of your junior year of high school.
This early signal gives you the chance to improve your skills during your senior year or the summer before attending a CSU or community college.
Learn more about the CSU Early Assessment Program