Do I have to take an assessment?
What if I’ve taken an assessment at another college?
What if I have taken an Advanced Placement (AP) exam?
Is there any other way to exempt myself from taking the assessment?

Why is assessment important?

Assessment places you into a specific level of math, English, English as a second language (ESL), and/or chemistry.  It determines where you start in the sequence of courses and how long it will take for you to get your degree or transfer.  The better you do, the fewer classes you will need to reach your goal. When you come to take the assessment, DO YOUR BEST!

Do I have to take an assessment?

All new students should take the assessment, unless you fall into one of the following categories:

• You have a college degree
• You have already been assessed (see question below)
• You are here for personal development courses only

If you have additional questions about whether you should take an assessment, please contact our counseling department via phone: 925-424-1400 or Email Counseling.

What if I’ve taken an assessment at another college?

Please bring the assessment results to a counselor who will determine if LPC can use your results.  Your results must state the exact class you assessed into, not the raw scores.

What if I have taken an Advanced Placement (AP) exam?

If you received a score of 3 or higher, bring your scores to a counselor for placement.

Is there any other way to exempt myself from taking the assessment?

You may be exempt from the orientation, assessment, or counseling aspects of matriculation due to your educational background or prior assessment.

For specific information regarding exemption criteria, contact the Counseling Department at 925.424.1400.

What should I expect on the day of the assessment?

• Please arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time to complete the required check-in process.
      No admittance once a testing session has started.
• Bring a valid photo ID and assigned student user "W" number.
• Students must purchase $2.00 daily campus parking permit if parking on campus (available at machines in the parking lot) and place it on your windshield..
• Cell phones must be turned off during assessment session.
• Following completion of assessment tests, new students will be scheduled for an orientation and program  planning session with counselors.

The Assessment Center is located in BLDG. 1600, ROOM 1642

What do the assessments consist of?

• The math assessment is a multiple-choice test of math skills, taken on a computer.  It will take about 1 hour.
• The English assessment is a multiple-choice test of reading comprehension and sentence skills, taken on a computer.  It will take about 1 hour.
• The ESL assessment includes a multiple-choice grammar test (45 minutes) and a short essay (30 minutes).  Both of them are written on paper.  
• The Chemistry assessment is a multiple choice test from the American Chemical Society. The test is taken on paper and takes about 1 hour.

Which assessments should I take?

All students should take the math and English or ESL assessments.
To choose between the English and ESL assessments, please answer the following questions:

1. Is English the first language you learned as a child?
2. Did you complete at least six years of education, including high school, in schools where all of your subjects were taught in English?
3. Do you usually speak English with your friends and/or co-workers?

If you answered “Yes” to two or three of the questions, select the English assessment.
If you answered “No” to two or three of the questions, select the ESL assessment.

You should take the chemistry assessment if you want to enroll in Chemistry 1A. Students who have taken Chemistry 31 and received a C or better do not need to take the chemistry assessment test.

What classes could I get placed into?

Each student will be placed into a particular math/English/English as a Second Language (ESL) class as determined by the assessment test. The following links display flow charts for each subject.

Math Flow Chart

English Flow Chart

ESL Flow Chart

Do I need to make an appointment to take my assessment?  

The English and math assessments require an appointment.  You can make an appointment through the Assessment Scheduling Website.
Students taking the Chemistry or English as a Second Language assessments do not need an appointment.  You may attend any scheduled session, even those indicated as “full” on the schedule.  You should arrive at least 15 minutes early and tell the assessment staff what test you need.

What should I do to prepare for my assessment?

• Understand that the assessment determines the level of courses you’ll start out in.
• Understand that placement into lower-level courses will mean more semesters in community college.
• Familiarize yourself with the style and content of the test (for a better outcome and to reduce test anxiety).
• Review and work the sample questions in the Study Guides.
• Come to your appointment well-rested and refreshed.
• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Don’t come to the assessment hungry.
• Be prepared to stay for the duration of the test.

What if English is not my first language?

To choose between the English and ESL assessments, please answer the following questions:

1. Is English the first language you learned as a child?
2. Did you complete at least six years of education, including high school, in schools where all of your subjects were taught in English?
3. Do you usually speak English with your friends and/or co-workers?

If you answered “Yes” to two or three of the questions, select the English assessment.
If you answered “No” to two or three of the questions, select the ESL assessment.

What accommodations are available for students with disabilities?

We are committed to accessibility for all students. Our Disability Resource Center (DRC) can provide accommodations for students with disabilities. The DRC website has additional information.

What happens after I take my assessment? 

After completing the assessment process, you will sign up for a program planning session to obtain your assessment results and have the opportunity to meet with a counselor who will assist you in planning your first semester program of courses.

You may also get your results on Class Web 36 hours after taking the assessment.

Can I retake the assessment if I am not satisfied with my score?

We strongly discourage students from re-assessing.  If you think you need to re-assess for any reason, please contact the Dean of Student Services.

What if I have other questions about the assessment process?

Please feel free to contact the the assessment specialist at 925-424-1475 or the counseling department at 924-424-1400.