Assessment Center

Finding the Right Course for You!

Assessment Center Updates: Spring 2022

While we no longer offer in-person assessment or exams, you can complete the assessment process online, or take a science exam online. 

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Get Started by Checking Your Placement Results in MyPortal

Most students can now be assessed on the basis of their U.S. high school transcripts and GPA. 

• Every new student should start by checking MyPortal
  
• It's easy to do: Follow these steps
• ESL students: Use our ESL assessment process, designed to assist students who are learning English as a Second Language. 

No Transcript? No Problem!

• If you don't have a recent transcript from a U.S. high school, 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 International Student Programs office before completing assessment.

Our assessment process for English, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Math is designed to help you find the courses that are right for you – based on your circumstances and goals. It's an essential step for any student interested in taking these courses at De Anza. It's also required for getting priority enrollment!

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 
• Important notes:
  • Students who received a placement over the summer for Precalculus I should register for MATH 31 
  • Students who received a placement over the summer for Precalculus II should register for MATH 32
  • If you received a Math placement before this summer, you should meet with your counselor for assistance in selecting the right course for your goals

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 can still take developmental English or developmental Math classes that will help prepare you for the courses you need to meet your goals.
• 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.

Already Taken a Placement Test?

If you've already taken placement tests for Math or English at De Anza, you may now be eligible to take different courses than those in which you had been placed. Learn more if you took

• Math placement tests before July 1, 2018
• English placement tests before July 1, 2018

 
Why Have Assessment? 

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 administers examinations for students who want to see if they can skip lower-level biology or chemistry courses. Please see the Science Exams webpage for more information.

• I need to clear a prerequisite in another subject?

  There is a separate process to follow if you're trying to skip a required lower-level class so you can enroll directly in a higher-level class in other subjects besides English, Math, Biology or Chemistry. This may be an option if you've already taken the required course at another school, 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!