As a new student, it is important for you to know your current skill level in reading, writing using common American English, reading comprehension, and your computational skills. That is what the assessments in English, Math and Reading accomplish. The ESL assessment is for students for whom English is their second language and have some English language skills. In both cases, your results on these assessments will assist you in selecting courses that are sensible and realistic based on your educational background and skill levels. Additionally, several courses across the curriculum carry enrollment conditions that are stated in terms of placement recommendations from our assessment. These prerequisites and advisories will be discussed later.
You do not need an appointment to complete the assessments, but you must have an application to AVC on file and a student identification number. The Assessment Center is in room SSV 126 in the Student Services Building. It is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. If you intend to complete the english, math and reading assessments at the same time you are encouraged to allow at least 2 hours to complete. The assessment is computer-based and not timed, so you can take all the time you need. Be careful to do your best since the results will determine into which courses in English, Math and Reading you will be allowed to enroll.
There are some applicants to AVC who are exempted from completing the assessment. These students:
Have completed an Associate’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
Are enrolling only in courses that have no prerequisites, co-requisites, or advisories for recommended preparation.
Meet one of these alternative assessments for writing placement, reading placement, mathematics placement, and English as a second language placement:
Writing
College Board Advanced Placement English Test score of 3 or higher (results in credit for Engl 101 or Engl 101, 102 depending on the test taken).
Satisfactory completion of writing courses at other accredited colleges or universities.
Completion of ACT Compass writing placement at other California Community Colleges.
Passing the CSU English Equivalency Exam (results in credit for Engl 101,102).
Reading
Satisfactory completion of reading courses at other accredited colleges or universities.
Completion of ACT Compass reading placement tests at other California Community Colleges.
Mathematics
College Board Advanced Placement Calculus Test score of 3 or higher (results in credit for Math 150 or Math 150, 160 depending on the test taken).
Satisfactory completion of math courses at other accredited colleges or universities.
Completion of ACT Compass placement tests at other California Community Colleges.
English as a Second Language
Satisfactory completion of ESL courses at other accredited colleges or universities.
Completion of ACT Compass placement test at other California Community Colleges.
Note: Placement tests other than ACT Compass are not valid at AVC.
If you meet any of the conditions for exemption, you need to submit documentation to the Counseling Office in the Student Services Center lobby. You must request official copies of Advanced Placement Tests to be submitted to AVC. If you completed ACT Compass placement tests at another CCC, submit the results to the Assessment Center Coordinator in the Assessment Center (SSV 126).
