Assessment & Placement Testing Overview

What is Assessment?

Assessment Eligibility

Waiving the Assessment Requirement

Out-of-Area & Online Placement Testing

Placement Test Preparation

Retest Policy

Email Us

 

Why is Assessment Important? What is a Placement Test?

• Assessments are designed to help students succeed in college by accurately placing students into the English, English as a Second Language (ESL), Math, Chemistry and Biology course sequences.
• There is no pass or fail; the purpose of assessment through placement testing is to measure the student's knowledge and understanding of an academic subject.
• De Anza offers the following placement tests:
  • English: Accuplacer English (Reading Comprehension & Sentence Skills) and Local Writing Sample
  • ESL: CELSA Test and Local Writing Sample
  • Math: Local Calculus Readiness Test and Accuplacer Math Tests (College Level, Elementary Algebra & Arithmetic)
  • Local Chemistry 1A/Biology 6A Exam
  • Local Biology 40A Exam
• De Anza may consider high school course work alongside placement test results for assessment.
  
  • It is recommended, but not required, that recent high school graduates submit a copy of their high school transcript for assessment.

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Who Needs an Assessment?

Assessment is required for any student interested in starting the English, ESL and Math course sequences at De Anza College.

In general, this includes students that wish to...

• Transfer;
• Earn a degree or certificate;
• Enroll in any English (or ESL) or Math course; or
• Are undecided about their educational goals.

The Assessment Center also offers Chemistry 1A/Biology 6A and Biology 40A Exams for those students that plan to enroll directly into Chemistry 1A, Biology 6A or Biology 40A.

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How Can an Assessment Requirement be Waived?

In general, all new students with no college-level course credit should take the English or ESL and math assessments.

Students who have earned college-level coursework in English, Math, Chemistry and Biology (at a US college/institution, Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit, etc.) should review the Admissions & Records Prerequisite Clearance Process.

Only interested in taking a few courses? Look up the course you wish to enroll in the Course Catalog and review the course's prerequisite.

Questions about Prerequisite Clearance? Contact the Evaluations Department directly at 408-864-5300 or email daclearprereq@fhda.edu.

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Placement Testing Information for Out-of-the-Area or Online Students

If you're out of the area or out of the state, follow these steps:

• Make sure you're eligible for an assessment!
• Download and complete the Request for Remote Proctoring Form (fillable PDF).
• Email the completed form to daassessment@fhda.edu.
• This process may take up to five (5) business days.

Out of state students can also visit the National College Testing Association (NCTA) for a listing of Testing Centers.

Be sure to study before testing!

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How to Prepare for Your Placement Testing Appointment

1. Submit your unofficial high school transcript to the Assessment Center - Highly Recommended! for recent graduates.
2. Review our Frequently Asked Questions.
3. Study for your tests by reviewing the Sample Questions.
4. Make an Appointment at least three (3) weeks before your registration date.
5. On the day of your testing appointment...
   1. Arrive 10-15 minutes early to the Registration & Student Services Building, RSS146 (Entrance is located outside of the RSS Building, facing Stevens Creek Blvd.);
   2. Have a valid photo ID and know De Anza Student ID Number; and
   3. Bring a few pencils.

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Retest Policy

Before testing, review the retest policies for each test.

 

Contact Us

View Assessment Center office hours, location and contact information.