Assessment Center
RE-TEST POLICY:
In keeping with matriculation guidelines and to better conserve limited resources, Los Angeles Valley College enforces the following policies regarding retesting:
- Students cannot repeat the assessment with a 3-year period. If you don't feel well or have other reasons that would prevent you from doing your best on the day of your assessment, reschedule your appointment. Once you have begun the assessment the resulting scores will determine your placement for 3 years.
- Students who have taken the placement test and then enrolled in a course in that subject area will not be able to re-test even after the 3-year period.
STEPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL ASSESSMENT EXPERIENCE:
STEP 1: If you are planning to assess in English and math at Valley,
you must apply toValleyprior to assessing (this includes students who have applied to other colleges in the LACCD)
If you have not applied to Valley College please go to:
http://www.cccapply.org/applications/CCCApply/apply/Los_Angeles_Valley_College.html .
STEP 2: Once you recieve confirmation that your application has been processed
and your student ID # has been issued by email (88#), you may assess.
- You must call or walk-in to make an appointment.
- Sample tests are available on this website.
- The assessment is only offered on the computer.
- You must bring a VALID picture ID to assess. No Exceptions.
- If you have children, please arrange for a babysitter. Children are not permitted to sit with the parent during the assessment.
- The assessment is NOT TIMED. It is approximately 45 minutes to one hour for each test.
- You may stop and save your assessment at anytime and have 2 weeks to return and continue.
- Cell phones, calculators and other study guides are not allowed during the assessment. You will be asked to put them in a locker.
- RE-TESTS ARE NOT PERMITTED.
STEP 3: Results are available immediately after you complete your assessment.
STEP 4: After you get your results you may make an orientation appointment (during peak registration periods)
or go online and make an appointment to speak with a counselor at http://www.lavc.edu/counseling/index.html.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What type of English assesments does Valley offer?
What type of Math assessment does Valley offer?
What is Computerized Adaptive testing?
How can I view my placement results online?
If I don't like my results can I retest?
How can I send my placement/test results to another college or university?
What other exams does the Assessment Center offer?
What is the Ability to Benefit exam?
Click Here for English Test Samples
Click Here for Math Test Samples
What is Assessment at Valley?
Assessment at Los Angeles Valley College is a matriculation component designed to make students successful by ensuring they have the appropriate skills to succeed in English and math courses. We offer assessments in English and Math as well as tests in Chemistry, Ability to Benefit and Math Competency.
Los Angeles Valley College uses ACCUPLACER to place students in English, ESL and math courses.
What type of English assessments does Valley offer?
ENGLISH ASSESSMENT:
Students must take the English Assessment prior to enrolling in English classes. The exception is the student who has a satisfactory grade in English composition documented by transcripts from an accredited college.
The Assessment Center offers two types of computerized English assessments:
- English as a Native Language (ENL)
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
NOTE: For test samples and study guides please Click Below:
ENGLISH AS A NATIVE LANGUAGE (ENL):
ENL assessment is taken on a computer and is untimed. Most students take approximately one hour to complete it. The assessment is in two parts--Reading Comprehension and Sentence Skills. Students may only assess once every three (3) years. However, the test may not be repeated once students enroll into the English course sequences.
You may place in any of the following English courses:
|
English 101 |
College Reading and Composition |
|
English 28 |
Intermediate Reading and Composition |
|
English 21 |
English Fundamentals |
|
English 33 |
Basic Vocabulary |
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL):
ESL assessment is designed for students for whom English is their second language and want to learn how to speak/read/write in English. The ESL assessment is taken on a computer and is untimed. Most students take approximately one hour to complete it. The assessment is in 3 parts-- Reading Skills, Sentence Meaning and Language Usage. Students may only assess once every three (3) years. However, the test may not be repeated once students enroll into the ESL course sequences.
You may place in any of the following ESL courses:
|
English 363 |
ESL for Academic Purposes III |
|
English 362 |
ESL for Academic Purposes II |
|
English 361 |
ESL for Academic Purposes I |
|
English 83 |
College Conversation English as a Second Language |
|
English 82 |
Introduction to College English as a Second Language |
|
English 80 |
Introduction to English as a Second Language Reading Skills |
What type of Math assessment does Valley offer?
MATHEMATICS ASSESSMENT:
The Mathematics Assessment is required of any student who wishes to enroll into any Valley College Math course. High school Math courses may not be used for placement into Math classes at Valley College.
The Mathematics Placement Test is taken on a computer and is untimed. It takes approximately one hour to complete. Math testing may include up to three separate tests: Arithmetic, Elementary Algebra, and College-Level Math. Calculators are NOT allowed.
The math assessment is adaptive. Students can place in one of three math levels:
|
Arithmetic |
Math 105/Math 112/Math 113 |
|
Elementary Algebra |
Math 113/ Math 115/ Math 120/ Math 125 |
|
College Math |
Math 215/ Math 225/ Math 245/ Math 240/Math 238/ Math 260 and Math 265 |
NOTE: For test samples and study guides please Click Below:
What is Computerized Adaptive testing?
In computerized adaptive testing the computer selects the test questions administered to the student. The computer adapts each test to the examinee. The computer keeps track of a student’s performance on each test item and uses this information to select the next item to be administered or whether the student will move on to the next level of the test or not.
How can I view my placement results online?
Students may view their placement results online in the student information system at:
https://eweb1.laccd.edu/WebStudent/signon.asp
If I don't like my results can I retest?
No. Students taking the assessment may only assess once every three (3) years. This also applies to students who have assessed at any LACCD campus. Please note that no retests are permitted.
How can I send my placement/test results to another college or university?
The Assessment Center issues Los Angeles Valley College placement scores only. Students must complete a Placement Result Request and Release Form ( print it, fill it out ,sign it, and send it), email it to sancher@lavc.edu, or fax it to 818-778-5519 or 818-947-2501.
All requests must include:
- The name or names under which you took the placement test;
- Your student ID number or social security number;
- Your Date of birth;
- Where the testing scores should be sent and/or contact information; and
- Student signature.
Telephone requests are not accepted. All students must provide a photo ID to pick up test scores. Test scores cannot be picked up by another person unless the student has provided written permission.
The Assessment Center also offers the following exams:
CHEMISTRY READINESS TEST:
CaliforniaChemistry Readiness Diagnostic Test
The California Chemistry Readiness Diagnostic Test (Chemistry Readiness Exam) is a Chemistry 101 placement exam. The Assessment Center offers these exams by appointment only. Students must score a 23 or better to pass. Students who score below a 23 must enroll in the required pre-requisite courses. Students who pass the exam must meet the math pre-requisites prior to enrolling in Chemistry 101. The Chemistry Placement Test may not be repeated. Please call us or stop ny our office for scheduled dates and to make an appointment.
Materials to bring:
-
- Valid Picture ID
- #2 pencil
- Scientifc Calculator
MATH COMPETENCY:
Please note: CALCULATORS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THIS TEST.
ACCUPLACER MATH TEST
As of fall 2009 all NEW students may meet their Math Competency for the Associates Degree by placing in College-Level Math (Math 225 and above). This is the same test as the one used for placement. If this is the appropriate test for you to take, and you have taken it previously as a placement test and placed in college level math courses you may use those results for completion of the Math Competency requirement. The Math Competency Test may only be taken once.
LACCD Math Competency Exam
The Los Angeles Community College District Math Competency Exam is for CONTINUING students who have been attending Valley College since prior to summer 2009. This exam is designed to meet the Math 115 graduation requirement for the Associates Degree. The Assessment Center offers this exam by appointment only. The Math Competency Exam may not be used to fulfill math prerequisites. Students who wish to enroll in higher-level math courses must take the math assessment. Students must score a 15 or better to pass. Students, who score below a 15, must enroll in Math 115. You may only test once. No retests are permitted.
Materials to bring:
-
- #2 pencil
- Valid Picture ID
ATB (Ability-To-Benefit) TESTS: ( 2 types of tests)
In order to receive financial aid, students must be ";academically qualified"; for study at the post-secondary level. Students who possess a high school diploma or a GED certificate are considered to have met this qualification. However, students who did not graduate from high school or who do not have a GED must pass an Ability-To-Benefit Test prior to receiving financial aid. Student must be 18 years of age or older to test.
ACCUPLACER: [for native speakers of English]:
ACCUPLACER is the same test that is used for English and Math Placement at Valley College. However, when taken as an ATB Test, certain tests must be administered and completed on the same day. If you have already taken it for placement purposes, please check with the Testing Staff to see if your previous test scores will satisfy ATB requirements. For ATB purposes, ACCUPLACER may be taken once, and if not passed, may be repeated up to three more times. The third and fourth attempts have special requirements—see The Assessment Center for information about repeating ACCUPLACER for ATB purposes.
NOTE:For test samples and study guides please go to:
CELSA (Combined English Language Skills Assessment): [for non-native speakers of English]:
CELSA may be taken once, and if not passed, may be repeated up to three more times. The third and fourth attempts have special requirements--see The Assessment Center for information about repeating CELSA for ATB purposes. (Available at the Assessment Center By Appointment Only.) Students must have taken an ESL assessment and be enrolled in ESL courses prior to taking the CELSA Exam.
NOTE: For test samples please go to:
Please note: All guidelines for repeating ATB Tests have been established by the U.S. Department of Education, not Los Angeles Valley College.