The Early Assessment Program (EAP) lets you know if you are ready for college-level work in English and mathematics at the end of your junior year of high school. The early signal gives you the opportunity to improve your skills during your senior year or the summer before attending a CSU or community college.
To make sure you are prepared for your freshman year of college, start by understanding the Early Assessment Program.
About EAP
What is EAP?
Learning early about your readiness for college is important. Although students may have passed all high school courses, many are still not yet prepared for college level English and mathematics when they enter a university. The Early Assessment Program (EAP) is a collaborative effort among the State Board of Education (SBE), the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California State University (CSU). The program was established to provide opportunities for students to measure their readiness for college level English and mathematics in their junior year of high school, and to facilitate opportunities for them to improve their skills during their senior year. This opportunity can also help students avoid taking the placement tests at the CSU and participating community colleges. Incoming students who do not demonstrate readiness for college level mathematics and/or English composition will be required to enroll in Early Start during the summer before coming to the CSU.
What is the goal?
The ultimate goal of the EAP is to fully prepare California high school graduates to enter the CSU fully prepared to begin college level study and to reduce the number of entering first-time freshmen who need Early Start. Toward this end, the EAP has been organized into two parts: 1) Early Assessment in 11th Grade; and, 2) Academic Preparation in 12th Grade.
Test Results
The EAP focuses on determining the CSU-level English and math readiness of public high school students. The EAP test is part of the California Assessment for Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) given during the second semester of your junior year in high school. The tests are based on CSU placement standards and are intended to provide information about your readiness to compete at the CSU level. There are 4 possible levels you can receive: Standards Exceeded, Standards Met, Standards Nearly Met and Standards Not Met.
Please note: when taking the test, you are prompted to release your scores to the California State University, the California Community College, or both. The CSU encourages you to release your scores to both the CSU and the CCC.
Taking the EAP Exam:
The EAP test is administered during the CAASPP in the spring semester of your junior year.
Finding EAP Results:
Students can check their results online on EAP Check Status webpage.
Students can log in with their CSU Mentor Username and Password.
The EAP results can also be found on the back of the CAASPP report. The CAASPP reportis mailed to your home and addressed to your parent and/or guardian during the summer prior to the start of your senior year.
What do the EAP test results mean?
Standard Exceeded: Ready for college-level coursework
Student has demonstrated college readiness and can enroll in college level classes upon successful admission to the CSU or participating community college.
Student has earned an exemption from the CSU Placement Test Requirement!
English
Math
Standard Met: Conditionally Ready for college-level coursework
Student demonstrates basic proficiency but must participate in a Senior Year Experience to maintain the exemption.
A conditional status requires a student to complete a specific senior year English and/or math course with a “C” or better in order to earn an exemption from Placement Tests
Standard Nearly Met and Standard Not Met: Not yet demonstrating readiness for college-level coursework
- Student did not demonstrate proficiency and is not exempt from the CSU Placement Test. This student will be encouraged to focus on improving English and/or math skills during his or her senior year. Unless exemption is earned through qualifying SAT/ACT scores, the CSU placement tests will be required.
- Student will be required to participate in Early Start prior to the start of the fall term.
FAQs for EAP
How do I find out my EAP results?
Your EAP results are included in your CAASPP Report that is mailed home addressed to your parent and/or guardian during the summer prior to the start of you senior year. If you released your scores to the CSU during the CAASPP testing in your 11th grade, you will also be able to view your results online.
What do the results mean?
| Status | Meaning | Results |
| Standards Exceeded: Ready for CSU College Level English and/or Mathematics Courses | Student met CSU placement standards for entry-level baccalaureate coursework. | Student has demonstrated college readiness and is exempt from the CSU required placement test (EPT and/or ELM). |
Standards Met: Ready for CSU College Level Mathematics Courses – Conditional | Student demonstrated basic readiness for college level coursework in mathematics; however, completing a senior-year experience is required to validate the conditional status. | Successful completion of a senior-year math experience is required to validate the EAP Conditional exemption for the ELM. Remember, conditional does not mean ELM exempt! Students who do not complete a senior-year experience must take the Placement Test. |
| Ready for CSU College Level English Courses – Conditional | Student demonstrated basic readiness for college level coursework in English; however, completing a senior-year experience is required to validate the conditional status. | Successful completion of a senior-year English experience is required to validate the EAP Conditional exemption for the EPT. Remember, conditional does not mean EPT exempt! Students who do not complete a senior-year experience must take the Placement Test and/or Early Start. |
| Standards Nearly Met: Not Yet Demonstrating Readiness for CSU College Level English and/or Mathematic Courses | Student tested as not ready for college-level coursework and is encouraged to enroll in a senior year course to increase their English writing and mathematics skills in preparation for the EPT/ELM exams. | Student is strongly encouraged to prepare for the ELM and EPT to avoid remediation courses in college. Register for the EPT and/or ELM Placement Test today! You will also be required to attend Early Start. |
| Standards Not Met: Incomplete | Student did not complete a sufficient amount of one or both exams to render a designation | Student must take the ELM and EPT college placement tests and participate in Early Start. Visit the ETS Testing website for test dates and exam fees. |
What senior-year experience may be completed to validate a Math EAP status: Ready for CSU College Level Mathematic Courses – Conditional?
A student may validate their conditional exemption if, during their high school senior year, they do one of the following:
Successfully complete, with a grade of “C” or better, a year-long math course that has a prerequisite of Algebra II (e.g. trigonometry/math analysis, calculus (AP), AP statistics, AP physics)
With the approval of the high school, repeat one year of Algebra II and earn a grade of “C” or better.
Supervised e-Learning Course: Completion of the online instructional program monitored by CSU math faculty prior to high school graduation.
Pass a one semester community college math course that satisfies the CSU general education requirement in Quantitative Reasoning.
Complete a math course that has been developed by the high school and has been approved by the CSU Mathematics Faculty Validation Committee.
What senior-year experience may be completed to validate an English EAP status: Ready for CSU College Level English Courses – Conditional?
Successfully complete, with a grade of “C” or better, one of the following year-long courses:
Expository Reading and Writing Course (ERWC) – Adopted as a full year course in the 12th grade being taught by a certified instructor.
International Baccalaureate (IB) English course
Advanced Placement—Language and Composition or Literature and Composition course
English Course Approved for Extra Honors Credit in course management portal
Community College Course – A grade of C or higher in a qualifying English transfer course (Area A2) at a community college which satisfies the GE requirement.
Does passing the EAP exams guarantee admission to a CSU campus?
No. EAP results will only let you know how prepared you are to take college level coursework at a CSU and potentially help you avoid the ELM and/or EPT placement tests.
If I am completing a senior-year experience do I need to inform the CSU of the course I am taking?
Yes, please send an official high school transcript showing your completed fall semester coursework to be reviewed by the Admissions & Records Office to validate the approved course. However, if you did not release your EAP scores to the CSU, you must provide Admissions & Records a copy of your CAASP report showing your EAP results.
What if I do not complete a senior-year experience?
You are required to take the CSU Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Placement Test and or the CSU English Placement Test (EPT) to determine if you are eligible to enroll in college-level courses or if you require enrollment in Early Start.
How do my EAP results get to a CSU campus?
Students who released their scores to the CSU during the 11th grade CAASP testing will have their EAP results automatically sent to all of the CSU campuses where they apply. Students, who did not release their results during the time of the test, will have to send in a copy of the CAASP report to the CSU campus they plan to attend Attn: Admission and Records.
What if I misplaced the CAASP report?
If you misplaced your CAASP report you may request a duplicate from Educational Testing Services (ETS). Duplicate reports are generated weekly on Fridays and requests must include student’s full name, date of birth, full high school name, and city in which high school is located in order to be processed.
What are other ways of avoiding the CSU’s English and Mathematics placement exams in addition to the EAP tests?
You do not have to take the CSU’s English and mathematics placement exams if you present proof to the CSU of one of the following:
English Proficiency
A score of 500 or above on the critical reading section of College Board SAT Reasoning Test
A score of 22 or above on the ACT English Test
A score of 3 or above on either the Language and Composition or Literature and Composition examination of the Advanced Placement Program
Completion and transfer to the CSU of a college course that satisfies the CSU General Education requirement in English Composition, with a grade of C or better
Mathematics Proficiency
A score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the College Board SAT Reasoning Test
A score of 550 or above on the College Board SAT Subject Test in Mathematics (level 1 or 2)
A score of 23 or above on the ACT Mathematics Test
A score of 3 or above on the College Boards Advanced Placement Calculus AB, Calculus BC, or Statistics examination
Completion and transfer to the CSU of a college course that satisfies the requirement in Quantitative Reasoning, with a grade of C or better
Where can I find resources to prepare for the CSU Placement Test (ELM and EPT)?
Resources can be found at on the CSU Success website.
High School Students - 9th - 11th grade
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I participate in the EAP and what are the benefits?
The EAP college readiness exams are administered during the spring semester of the 11th grade as part of CAASP. EAP measures college readiness in English and mathematics.
Your participation in EAP may help you avoid taking the CSU required Placement Tests, to find out if you need extra preparation for college-level courses and to help you adjust your senior year classes so you can be prepared for college-level courses. It also helps avoid wasting your time and money in college remediation classes that do not count towards a baccalaureate degree.
How much does the EAP cost and who can take it?
The EAP test is free. It is available to all eleventh grade students who attend a public high school in California.
Does passing the EAP exams guarantee admission to a CSU campus?
No. EAP results will only let you know how prepared you are to take college level coursework at a CSU and potentially help you avoid the ELM and EPT placement tests.
When and how do I take the test?
The EAP is given during the spring semester at public high schools in California in conjunction during CAASP.
After taking the EAP test, when will I receive my test results?
Your EAP results will be included in your CAASP Report. The CAASP report is mailed home addressed to your parent and/or guardian during the summer before your senior year. If you released your scores to the CSU, you will also be able to view your EAP results online.
How do I release my EAP results to the CSU?
During the CAASP, students have the ability to release their scores to the CSUs and participating CCCs, by filling in the bubble located in the CAASPP test booklet. Students may only release their scores during the time they are taking the test.
Where can I find practice questions to prepare for the EAP test?
You can find free practice test questions for EAP at CSU Math Success and CSU English Success. Both websites include sample quizzes and retired essay prompts to prepare for the exam.
For Educators – EAP
Ways that the CSUN EAP coordinator can help your school:
Meet with counselors and administrators annually to discuss college readiness, and to provide updates for the EAP and other CSU college-going initiatives such as Early Start.
Provide and advise on the EAP test results for students at your school.
Connect your teachers to CSU professional development programs in English Language Arts (Expository Reading and Writing Course) and Mathematics (Strengthening Mathematics Instruction), www.calstate.edu/eap/englishcourse
Assist high school counselors in identifying and implementing appropriate senior year interventions for students needing additional assistance.
Consult with students and parents about CSU college readiness.
EAP and College Readiness Resources for High School Teachers:
Online EAP status check
What can I do to prepare my students?
The EAP exam, SAT, ACT, AP, and CSU placement tests can all reveal whether students are college ready. Visit the CSU English and CSU Math Success websites for retired testing questions and writing prompts.
Free resources for English teachers
English teachers at the 11th and 12th grade levels are invited to participate in free ERWC workshops. Teachers who attend this 20-hour workshop are certified to teach ERWC at their high schools. For more information on the ERWC curriculum or to register for an upcoming workshop, please visit Expository Reading and Writing Course (ERWC) webpage.
For teachers who have completed ERWC Workshop training, visit ERWC Online Community Link.
Free Resources for mathematics teachers
California State University faculty, K-12 math teachers and state curriculum specialists have developed a math curriculum called Strengthening Mathematics Instruction Workshops, designed to present a variety of strategies for teaching students how to solve complex mathematical problems. The curriculum includes instruction on developing cognitively complex problems, analyzing student misconceptions and understanding college readiness.
