Assessment Overview & Services

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.

Quick Links

• Assessment Eligibility

• • Waiving the Assessment Requirement with College Course Credit & AP Exams

• • Waiving the Assessment Requirement with Placement Testing Results

• • Placement Testing for Out-of-Area and Online Only Students

• Placement Test Overview & High School Transcript (HST) Assessment Program

• Make a Testing Appointment

• Study Guides

• Assessment Results

• • How to Choose Classes
  • How to Register for Classes
  • How to Pay for Classes

Top of Page

Who Needs an Assessment?

Assessment Eligibility

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 would like to enroll directly into Chemistry 1A, Biology 6A or Biology 40A without taking the prerequisite courses.

Not Interested in English, ESL or Math Classes at this Time?

You may not need an assessment.

Look up the course you wish to enroll in the Course Catalog and review the course's prerequisite.

Top of Page

Assessment for Placement by Test & High School Transcripts

De Anza can assess student placement by testing and high school transcript.

Placement Tests

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.

Schedule your testing appointment today!

Placement Test Subjects & Test Elements
Language Arts		Math
English	English as a Second Language (ESL)	Local Calculus Readiness Test Accuplacer Math Tests: College Level Elementary Algebra Arithmetic Note: All math tests are computerized.
Accuplacer English Computerized Test: Reading Comprehension Section Sentence Skills Section Local Writing Sample	CELSA Computerized Test  Local Writing Sample

 

High School Transcript Assessment for Placement

De Anza may consider high school coursework alongside placement test results for assessment. Students must first have a testing record on file before a high school transcript can be assessed.

It is recommended, but not required, that recent high school graduates bring a copy of their high school transcript to their testing appointment.

• Be sure to complete the High School Transcript Assessment for Placement Form (fillable PDF).

  Top of Page

 

How can an Assessment Requirement be Waived?

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

Students with U.S. degrees will not need to be assessed; however submission of transcripts via Prerequisite Clearance is required. (Follow instructions below.)

Prerequisite Clearance Process (College Coursework & AP Credit)

Students who have earned college-level coursework in English, Math, Chemistry and Biology by

• U.S. college/institution transcript; or
• Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Results

Should complete Prerequisite Clearance Form and submit to daclearprereq@fhda.edu

Questions? Contact the Evaluations Department directly at 408-864-5300.

De Anza may accept college credit from other institutions. General guidelines are below:

English	English as a Second Language (ESL)	Math
Basic skills (or lower than transfer level) English course credit from other colleges will not transfer to De Anza.	Typically, ESL course credit will not transfer to De Anza.	Typically, math course credit from other colleges will transfer to De Anza.
Transfer level English course credit from other colleges will typically transfer to De Anza.   Students must complete the Prerequisite Clearance Process to transfer course credit to De Anza.	It is recommended that students take the placement test with the Assessment Center.	To transfer Math course credit from other colleges.   Students must complete the Prerequisite Clearance Process to transfer course credit to De Anza.

Assessment Score Transfer

Students that have taken the below placement tests at other colleges, can request to transfer the scores to De Anza:

• English: Accuplacer Classic Test
• ESL: CELSA Test, Version I
• Math: Accuplacer Classic Test
• Chemistry & Biology: Foothill College's Chemistry Test

Simply complete the Request for Assessment Score Transfer Form (fillable PDF) submit to daassessment@fhda.edu. 

Not sure what test you took with your other college/testing location?

• Look at your test results records.
• Contact your testing location.
• Common placement test types include Accuplacer and Compass.

Top of Page

 

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

If you're out of the area or out of the state, we will work with you!

• 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.

Ways to Locate a Proctor

• Contact your local college campus
  • California Community College Listing
  • California State University Listing
  • University of California Listing
• National College Testing Association (NCTA) maintains a listing of Testing Centers across the nation.