The Assessment Center provides Free Assessment to SCC students including: Computerized Placement Testing (CPT) tests for English, Math, and ESL-CPT (2nd part of ESL assessment). Ability To Benefit (ATB) for financial aid Reading Competency for Graduate testing Math Competency for Graduation testing. Note: This is NOT a test for math placement. Myers-Briggs and Strong Interest Inventory (requires Counselor referral). SCC New Student Online Orientation Study Behavior Inventory (SBI)

Students who score below 96 on the CPT multiple choice English assessment test will be required to take an English Essay Assessment Test.

Testing is done on a walk-in basis, first-come, first-served. Picture identification and a Los Rios Student ID number required for all exams. The CPT assessment results are available immediately after completion of the tests. English Essay results are available three (3) working days after taking your test.

Students with Learning Disabilities may be tested in the Learning (dis)Abilities (916-558-2283) or the Disability Resource Center (916-558-2087) for special accommodations.

Q. What is assessment?
A. Assessment is part of the Matriculation process.  Matriculation gives you information you need for a good start at Sacramento City College.  Assessment tests are used to recommend English, English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) and Math classes because these classes are prerequisites to many classes you will take and are required as part of an AA/AS Degree or transfer program.  For these reasons, it is helpful for you to have these Assessment results before you see a SCC counselor. 

The tests you will be taking are the ACCUPLACER Computerized Placement Tests (CPTs).  You do not have to know anything about computers in order to take the tests.  We will help you get started.

Q.  Do I need to take an Assessment Test?
A.  Take an assessmen test if you:

• Are planning to earn a degree and/or certificate, and/or transfer to 4-year college.
• Are taking a course that required for prerequisite in English, English-as-a-Second Language (ESL), Reading and/or Math.
• Are applying for the Vocational Nursing Program (LVN), Register Nurse (RN) and Dental Hygiene.
• Are applying for A.T.B. (Financial Aid “Ability to Benefit” Program).

Q.  Should I take the English or ESL test?
A. If you plan to enroll in an English-as-Second Language course or lab, you will need to take the ESL test.  If you plan to enroll in an English course or lab, you should take the English test.  .

Q. What are the fees for taking the test?
A. Testing is free.

Q. Do I need to register or make an appointment to take a test?
A.  You must have filled out an application http://www.losrios.edu/lrc/lrc_app.html and have a Los Rios Student ID number in order to test. No appointment or registration required.  Computerized testing is done on a walk-in basis, first-come, first-served, but ESL Essay and English Essay tets require writing at a specified time.

Q.  What do I need to bring for the test?
A. You must bring any type of picture identification such as Los Rios ID, Driver License, High School ID, Passport, etc. and know your Los Rios student ID number.  Pencils and scratch paper will be provided. 

Q. May I use a dictionary, calculator or any other resources?
A.  No dictionaries, calculators or any other resources are permitted to be used during the tests.

Q.  How many tests do I need to take?
A.  Most new students take both the English or ESL and Math tests.  There are three tests in the English assessment: Reading Comprehension, Sentence Skills and English Essay if placed below English writing 300. ESL is a two part test. The first part is the ESL Essay, and second part is the computerized Reading Skills and language Usage.

Q. How long does the test take?
A. English Essay and ESL Essay are timed - 35 minutes. The computerized tests are not timed. Most students take proximately 1-2 hours.

Q.  Do I need to take the English Essay?
A.  Students who score below 96 on the CPT multiple choice English assessment and are planning to attend Sacramento City College are required to take an English Essay Assessment Test. 

Q.  Do I need to take the ESL Essay?
A. Yes. All students taking the ESL Assessment are required to take ESL Essay.

Q.  What if I fail the placement test?  Can I retake it?
A.  The placement test is not a "pass" or "fail" test.  The purpose of testing is to place you in the appropriate English, EL and Math courses to help you succeed in college.  It does not affect your admission to SCC. If you are dissatisfied with your results, you may speak with your SCC Counselor and obtain a referral for retesting. However, you may not retest on the same day.

Q.  Are there sample questions that I can preview before the test?
A. Yes.  Study guides are available in the Assessment Center, or you may review the study guides available online at http://www.scc.losrios.edu/~matric/assessment.

Q. May I take only the math test?
A. Yes.  There are three math tests: Arithmetic, Elementary Algebra and College Level Math (CLM).  You will begin math testing with either the Arithmetic or Elementary Algebra Test. The computer selects which test to present depending on how you answer certain background questions. If you obtain a high score on the Elementary Algebra Test, you will be able to take the CLM Test.

Q. May I take only the reading test?
A. Yes, if you are preparing for graduation and have not completed English Reading 310 or ESLR 340 with a grade of "C" or better, you may take the test to meet the reading proficiency requirement for an AA/AS degree. Reading Competency to Graduate may only be taken twice (second try requires a Counselor referral). Please note that your first test for English or Reading placement COUNTS as one of your two tries!

Q. May I take only the sentence skills?
A. No, it is required to take BOTH the reading test and sentence test on the same day in order to receive an English placement.

Q.  What is Math Competency  for Graduation?
A.  Math Competency for Graduation is a Elementary test. It consists of 35 questions for 30 minutes. The passing score is 24. It is a paper and pencil test.  The test may be taken no more than four times in any two year period and no more than twice in a semester or once during the summer session.  You may take the test to meet the math competency for AA/AS graduation requirement.  

Q. How soon can I get my results?
A.   The results of the computerized assessment tests are available to students immediately after completion of the tests.  The English Essay results will be available three (3) working days after taking your test.  Results of ESL testing will be available upon completion of the 2nd part of the assessment.

Q. What if I completed coursework at another college or university?
A. If you have a college degree, you are exempt from placement testing.  However, if you plan to enroll in any English, ESL or math course(s), you must present an official or unofficial transcript showing that you have met the prerequisite for the course(s) or take the assessment tests to place into the course(s).

Q. What do I do if I have a disability or learning (dis)abilities?
A. If you need assistance, contact the Disability Resource Center - SS 101, (916) 558-2087 or Learning (dis)Abilities - A2, (916) 558-2283.

For more practice tests type "accuplacer practice" into the search box below.