Test and Other Admission Requirements
English Language Requirement
All undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English, and who have not attended schools at the secondary level or above for at least three years full time where English is the principal language of instruction, must present a score of 61 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Some majors may require a score higher than 61. Some majors and some CSUs may require a higher score. A few CSUs may also use alternative methods of assessing English fluency: the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and the International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP). Each university will post the tests it accepts on its website and will notify students after they apply about the tests it accepts and when to submit scores.
CSU minimum TOEFL standards are:
| Level | Internet | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 61 | 500 |
| Graduate | 80 | 550 |
CSUN accepts a number of alternative English language proficiency tests. For more information and assistance, contact International Admissions at intladm@csun.edu or visit the International Admissions website.
Placement Measures for First-Year GE Written Communication and Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning Courses
Freshman skills assessment and placement for general education written communication and mathematics/quantitative reasoning shall be based on systemwide skills assessment standards that include the Early Assessment Program/ Smarter Balanced Achievement Levels, ACT scores and/or SAT scores, high school coursework, high school GPA and math GPA.
Skills assessments are not a condition for admission to the CSU; they are a condition of enrollment.
These skills assessments are designed to inform entering freshmen of placement in appropriate baccalaureate-level courses based on their skills and needs.
First-time freshmen in need of support as determined by the skills assessment will be placed in supported instruction. Supported instruction is designed to assist students in credit bearing courses. Students may also be required to participate in the Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students Program.
The Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students Program offers pathways and academic and social support that aligns with each incoming student’s needs. The program’s goal is to ensure that first time students successfully complete the General Education (GE) written communication (A2) and math/quantitative reasoning (B4) requirements within their first year.
Assessments and Placement for GE Written Communication
Has Fulfilled the GE Subarea A2 English Requirement
The student has met the requirement via completion of one of the following:
- Advanced Placement (AP) Test
- 3 or above: AP Language and Composition
- 3 or above: AP Composition and Literature
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Test:
- 4 or above on English A: Literature (HL)
- 4 or above on English A: Language and Literature (HL)
- College Transfer Coursework
- Completed approved college course that satisfies CSU GE Area A2 (written communication) with a grade of “C-” or better
Placement in a GE Subarea A2 English Course (115)
The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures-informed standards via one of the criteria below:
- English CAASPP/EAP Test:
- Standard Exceeded
- Standard Met and completed 12th grade approved year-long English course (CSU ERWC, AP, Weighted Honors English) with grade of “C-” or better
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Test:
- 550 or above
- 510-540 and completed 12th grade approved year-long English course (CSU ERWC, AP, Weighted Honors English) with grade of “C-” or better English
- ACT Test:
- 22 or higher
- 19-21 and completed 12th grade approved year-long English course (CSU ERWC, AP, Weighted Honors English) with grade of “C-” or better
- High School Courses and GPA:
- Weighted GPA 3.3 or above
- GPA 3.0 or above and completed approved 12 grade year-long English course (AP, CSU ERWC, Weighted Honors English)
- GPA 3.0 or above and completed Honors English
- GPA 3.0 or above and 5 or more years of high school English
Placement in a Supported GE Subarea A2 English Course (114A followed by 114B)
The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures-informed standards via one of the criteria below:
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Test:
- 510-540 and 4 or more years of high school English
- ACT Test:
- 19-21 and 4 or more years of high school English
- High School Courses and GPA:
- Weighted GPA 3.0 or above and 4 or more years of high school English
Placement in a Supported GE Subarea A2 English Course and Participation in the Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students Program Required (113A followed by 113B and corresponding mandatory supplemental instruction labs)
Based on multiple measures evaluation, student needs additional academic support including participation in the Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students Program. Visit CSU Student Success to learn about this program.
Assessments and Placement for GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
Non-Math Intensive Majors (Algebra and Statistics Disciplines, Non-STEM and Undecided Majors)
Has Fulfilled the GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement (enroll in next level of math, if required in major)
The student has met the requirement via completion of one of the following:
- Advanced Placement (AP) Test:
- 3 or above: Calculus AB
- 3 or above on AP Calculus BC
- 3 or above on AP Statistics
- 3 or above on AP Computer Science Principles
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Test:
- 4 or above on Math Higher Level (HL)
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP):
- 50 or above on: Calculus, College Algebra, College Algebra-Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus or Trigonometry
- College Transfer Coursework:
- Completed math/quantitative reasoning college course with a “C-” or better that satisfies CSU GE Area B4
Placement in a GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement (MATH 103/L, MATH 131, MATH 140 or MATH 210, see advisor for placement)
The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures-informed standards via one of the following criteria:
- CAASPP/EAP Math Exam:
- Standard Exceeded
- Standard Met and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a “C-” or better
- Standard Met and 4 or more years of high school math or quantitative reasoning
- SAT Math Test:
- 570 or above
- 520-560 and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a “C-” or better
- ACT Math Test:
- 23 or above
- 20-22 and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a “C-” or better
- High School Courses and GPA:
- Weighted math GPA 3.0 or above and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a “C-” or better
- Weighted math GPA 3.0 or above and 5 or more years of high school math or quantitative reasoning
- Weighted high school GPA 3.7 or above
- Weighted high school GPA 3.5 or above and 4 or more years of high school math or quantitative reasoning
Placement in a Supported GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement (MATH 103/L+SI, MATH 131+SI, MATH 140+SI, MATH 141/L+SI, MATH 210+SI, see advisor for placement)
The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures-informed standards via one of the criteria below:
- High School GPA:
- Weighted math GPA 3.3 or above
- Weighted high school GPA 3.0 or above
Placement in a Supported GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement and Participation in the Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students Program Required (MATH 103/L+SI, MATH 131+SI, MATH 140+SI, MATH 141/L+SI, MATH 210+SI, see advisor for placement)
Based on multiple measures evaluation, student needs additional academic support including participation in the Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students Program. Visit CSU Student Success to learn about this program.
Pre-STEM/STEM and Other Math-Intensive Majors
Has Fulfilled the GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement (enroll in the next level of math, if required in the major)
The student has met the requirement via completion of one of the following:
- Advanced Placement (AP) Test:
- 3 or above on AP Calculus AB
- 3 or above on AP Calculus BC
- 3 or above on AP Statistics
- 3 or above on AP Computer Science Principles
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Test:
- 4 or above on Math Higher Level (HL)
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP):
- 50 or above on: Calculus, College Algebra, College Algebra-Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus or Trigonometry
- College Transfer Coursework:
- Completed math/quantitative reasoning college course with a “C-” or better that satisfies CSU GE Area B4
Placement in a GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement (MATH 102/L)
The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures- informed standards via one of the criteria below:
- CAASPP/EAP Math Exam:
- Standard Exceeded
- Standard Met and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a “C-” or better
- SAT Math Test:
- 570 or above
- 520-560 and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a “C-” or better
- ACT Math Test:
- 23 or above
- 20-22 and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a “C-” or better
- High School Courses and GPA:
- Weighted math GPA 3.5 or above and completed 12th grade approved year-long math course beyond Algebra 2 with a grade of “C-” or better
- Weighted math GPA 3.5 or above and 5 or more years of high school math or quantitative reasoning
- Weighted high school GPA 3.7 or above
Placement in a Supported GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement (MATH 102/L and MATH 091B)
The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures-informed standards via the criteria below:
- High School Math GPA:
- Weighted math GPA 3.3 or above
Placement in a Supported GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement and Participation in the Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students Program Required (ESM 196P)
Based on multiple measures evaluation, student needs additional academic support including participation in the Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students Program. Visit CSU Student Success to learn about this program.