Assessment Center

Assessment Helps You

Find the Right Course!

Your assessment results will determine which courses you can take first – in English (or ESL) and math.

• These subjects are built into the foundation of all educational goals and majors.
• Additional services offered by the Assessment Center include Science Exams and Ability to Benefit (ATB) testing.
• If you are looking to clear a prerequisite for another subject, such as CIS or a World Language, please review our FAQs.

New Students:

Start By Checking Your Results in MyPortal

• It's easy: Just follow the steps to Find Your Placement
• ESL students: Use our ESL Assessment Process, which is designed for students who are learning English as a Second Language.

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Why Assessment?

De Anza has designed an assessment process to help you find the courses that are right for you – in English, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Math – based on your circumstances and goals.

Assessment is an essential step for any student interested in taking courses in these subjects. It's also required for getting priority enrollment!

No Transcript? No Problem!

• If you didn't attend a U.S. high school or don't have access to your grades, we'll use other methods to help you find the best placement for you. 
• If you're attending on an F-1 visa, you should review orientation materials offered by the International Student Programs office before completing assessment.

Course Sequences for English, ESL and Math

English

• View or download the English (EWRT) sequence 
• Check out our Tips on Registering for English Courses

English as a Second Language

• View or download the English as a Second Language (ESL) sequence

Mathematics

• View or download the Mathematics (MATH) sequence 
• Check out our Tips on Registering for Math Courses 

Want More Support?

English and Math can be challenging. If you've had difficulty with these subjects before – or if you don't feel ready to take college-level courses in these areas – don't worry!

• You may also want to check out the Math Performance Success program, which offers tutoring and in-class support. 
• If English is not your first language, we have an assessment process to help you find the right courses in English as a Second Language
• Talk with your counselor about the best options for you.

Did You Take a Placement Test in the Past?

De Anza ended placement testing in 2018. If you took a placement test previously with us, we recommend that you check your updated placement results in MyPortal > Apps > Student Registration App > View My Placement Results.

Under state law, community colleges must do their best to help you complete transfer-level Math and English within a year – unless your high school records indicate that remedial courses would give you a better chance to succeed at the college level.

Like most community colleges, De Anza previously used placement testing to assess new students. But the latest research shows your high school performance is a better indicator than placement tests, when it comes to predicting your ability to succeed. 

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FAQs: What If ... 

• I want to take advanced biology or chemistry

  The Assessment Center offers a science exam for students who want to see if they can skip the lower-level biology or chemistry prerequisite courses for BIOL 40A, BIOL 6A and CHEM 1A. Please see the Science Exams webpage for more information.

• I need to clear a prerequisite in another subject?

  The Assessment Center assists new first-time college students understand their math, English (EWRT) and ESL course eligibility options.

  There is a separate process to follow if you're trying to meet the prerequisite requirements for non-math, English or ESL courses. This may be an option if you've already

  • taken the required course at another college or university, or
  • you've passed a College Board Advanced Placement exam.

  This process is called "clearing a prerequisite."

  If the course you want to take has a prerequisite listed as part of the description in the Class Schedule, you can find instructions for clearing the prerequisite by visiting the following webpages for these programs: 

  • Computer Information Systems
  • World Languages 
  • For other subjects, visit the Admissions and Records Evaluations Unit website

  It can take up to several weeks to complete this process, so it's important to allow plenty of time by submitting the required clearance forms and documentation as early as possible before registration opens for the course you want to take.

• I am a new college student

  New students with no college course credit should be assessed before registering for classes.

  • Follow the directions on the Find Your Placement webpage.

• I want to take college classes in high school  

  If you want to take classes before you graduate from high school, follow the directions on the Dual Enrollment webpage first. 

• I already have college credit by AP Exam or transcript  

  You don't need to be assessed! However, you will need to provide the Admissions Evaluations Office with proof of any college English or Math coursework earned by AP Exam Scores or college transcripts.

  • Option 1: Have your official transcript evaluated by sending an official transcript to De Anza's Admissions Office. See the Transcript Evaluations webpage for more information.
  • Option 2: Have your official College Board AP Exam Score Report evaluated by sending an official College Board AP Exam Score Report to De Anza's Admissions Office. See the AP Scores webpage for more information.
  • Option 3: Complete the Prerequisite Clearance process.

  You must complete Option 1 or Option 2 if you want to meet the assessment requirement for Priority Enrollment.

  Alternatively, you may participate in De Anza's assessment process if you choose not to submit AP scores or college transcripts. Follow the directions on the Find Your Placement webpage.

• I already have an associate or bachelor's degree  

  You don't need to be assessed! However, if you wish to enroll in a course that has an English or Math prerequisite, then you may need to provide the Admissions Evaluations Office with proof of your college English or Math credit earned at another college.

  • Option 1: Have your official transcript evaluated by sending an official transcript to De Anza's Admissions Office. See the Transcript Evaluations webpage for more information.
  • Option 2: Complete the Prerequisite Clearance process.

   

  You must complete Option 1 if you want to meet the assessment requirement for Priority Enrollment.

  Alternatively, you may participate in the assessment process if you choose not to submit your university transcript. Follow the directions on the Find Your Placement webpage.

• I don't want to take English, ESL or Math courses at this time  

  Assessment is only for students interested in taking English, ESL or Math courses.

  • You may not need an assessment at this time.
  • Look up the course you wish to take in the Class Schedule and review the course's prerequisite.

• I can't remember my placement results

  You can find your placement on MyPortal. Follow these three steps:

  1. Visit MyPortal and open the Apps section
  2. Click on the Student Registration tile
  3. Under Student Records, click on See My Placement Results

   

  Assessment results from the years before 2010 will not appear on MyPortal. Email us at daassessment@deanza.edu to request a copy of your assessment results.

• I have an ESL test score from another college  

  De Anza does not accept ESL test scores earned at other colleges. Before you can enroll in ESL courses, you must complete the online ESL assessment. Review the ESL assessment webpage to get started.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? CONTACT US!