Overview of Tests

	ACT Entering students with less than 56 semester units must submit either ACT or SAT I test scores to the Office of Admissions before eligibility for admission can be determined. ACT registration and descriptive materials are available at CRA Hall 4200 or from local high schools. Free Test Prep Review
	AHPAT - Allied Health Professions Admissions Test Students wishing to enter academic programs in Allied Health must take the AHPAT. For further information, contact CSUSM's Pre-medical Advisor, Dr. Joanne Pedersen at (760) 750-4186.
	AP - Advanced Placement Undergraduate students who have completed AP courses in high school and scored 3, 4 or 5 on the AP tests will be granted credit toward graduation. (College Board Code: 5677)
	BCLAD- Bilingual Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development Credential student may take this exam allowing them to teach non-English speakers.
	CBEST - California Basic Educational Skills Test Students must pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) prior to admission to the CSUSM teacher education program. Students are urged to take this examination at the earliest possible time after deciding to pursue a teaching credential. CSUSM Extended Studies offers CBEST test preparation. Free Test Prep Review
	CLEP - College Level Examination Program CSUSM grants undergraduate college credit to students who achieve passing scores on certain CLEP exams. For information on which CLEP exams are awarded credit, consult the Office of Admissions.
	CSET - California Subject Examination for Teachers California teaching credential candidates are required by law to verify their subject matter knowledge and competencies and are provided two alternative paths for fulfilling this requirement. One way is to complete a program of subject matter preparation approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). The second way is to pass one or more subject matter examinations. The CSET and Single Subject Assessments for Teaching are two testing programs used by the CCTC for this purpose. CSUSM Extended Studies offers CSET test preparation.
	DAT - Dental Admission Test Students wishing to enter dental school are required to take the DAT. Contact the dental school you wish to enter for specific requirements.
	EPT/ELM - English/Entry-Level Math Placement Tests All newly admitted CSU undergraduate students are required to take the ELM Exam before enrolling in any courses unless exempted because of high test scores or, for transfer students, a grade of C or better in a college course that satisfies the General Education Breadth requirement in Quantitative Reasoning. Consult the catalog for a list of ELM exemptions. The ELM can be taken at any CSU campus. If you live outside of the state of California and need to take the EPT and/or the ELM before arriving in California, please call (925) 808-2142 or e-mail csuout-of-state@ets.org. Out of state testing is arranged for the 2nd week of the month. There is an additional fee of $50 for testing outside of the state of California. Click here to access the EPT/ELM Information Website For assistance on the CSU ELM requirement, check: 1) CSU Math Success 2) ELM Study Guide 3) ELM Problem Book (Adobe Acrobat needed in order to access these PDF documents.) Click here for an EPT Study Guide (Adobe Acrobat needed in order to access this PDF document.) Diagnostic Writing Service is also available for EPT assistance.
	GMAT - Graduate Management Admission Test Students wishing to enter graduate programs in business are often required to take the GMAT. The GMAT is offered on computer. Call (800) GMAT-NOW to schedule a testing appointment or to request test information. Free Test Prep Review
	GRE - Graduate Record Exam Students applying to graduate programs may be required to take the GRE. Contact the graduate school or academic program you wish to enter for specific requirements. You can take the computerized GRE by calling (800) GRE-CALL or in the paper-and-pencil format. Free Test Prep Review
	LSAT - Law School Admission Test Students desiring to enter law school may be required to take the LSAT. Consult the law school you wish to enter for specific requirements. Free Test Prep Review
	MCAT - Medical College Admission Test Students desiring to enter medical school are required to take the MCAT. Consult the medical school you wish to enter for specific requirements. Free Test Prep Review New prep course available at www.learningaccord.com/
	OCAT - Optometry College Admission Test Students desiring to enter Optometry School must take the OAT. For further information, contact CSUSM's Pre-medical Advisor, Dr. Joanne Pedersen at (760) 750-4186.
	PCAT - Pharmacy College Admission Test Students wishing to enter Pharmacy School must take the PCAT. For further information, contact CSUSM's Pre-medical Advisor, Dr. Joanne Pedersen at (760) 750-4186. Free Test Prep Review
	PRAXIS Series I, II, III Students who have not completed a state-approved subject matter preparation program (waiver) must pass the appropriate subject assessment in the Praxis Series. Please contact the CSUSM College of Education Student Services Center for specific information. Free Test Prep Review
	RICA - Reading Instruction Competence Assessment Beginning October 1, 1998, all Multiple Subject Teaching Credential candidates must take and pass either one of the two Reading Instruction Competence Assessments (RICA). Details may be found in the CSUSM Extended Studies offers RICA test preparation.
	SAT I - Reasoning Entering students with less than 56 semester or 84 quarter units must submit either ACT or SAT I test scores to the Office of Admissions before eligibility for admission can be determined. SAT I registration and descriptive materials are available at CRA Hall 4200 or from local high schools. SAT II - Subject Tests Formerly called the Achievement Tests. SAT II registration and descriptive materials are available at CRA Hall 4200 or from local high school.
	SSAT - Single Subject Assessments for Teaching Students entering the single subject teacher education program who have not completed a state-approved subject must pass the appropriate Single Subject Assessments for Teaching (SSAT) as well as the Praxis Series examination. The required test chart may be found in the CSUSM College of Education Student Services Center.
	TEAS - Test of Essential Academic Skills Students wishing to enter the CSUSM Nursing Program must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). The TEAS is a scholastic aptitude assessment used as one component of the selection process for admitting students into the CSUSM Nursing Program. The TEAS is a four-part test comprised of Reading, Mathematics, Science & English with a total testing time of 3 hours and 29 minutes. Each subtest has a time limit. Examinees must remain for the entire testing time. A 224-page study manual is available for purchase by call 1-800-667-7531 or through the ATI Testing website at www.atitesting.com (under STORE, click on BOOKS). Study guides are also available in the CSUSM Bookstore for a fee.
	TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language All applicants to the university, regardless of citizenship, 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 scores for the TOEFL. Also, students in CSUSM's American Language and Cultural Institute are required to take the TOEFL as part of their student of the English language.
	VCAT - Veterinary College Admission Test Students wishing to enter Veterinary School must take the VCAT. For further information, contact CSUSM's Pre-medical Advisor, Dr. Joanne Pedersen at (760) 750-4186.