English Preparation Steps

Step 1: Take All Required High School Courses

High school students applying for the CSU need to complete four years of English. This is the minimum. For more information about high school course requirements please visit CSU Mentor .

Step 2: Find Out About the CSU English Placement Test (EPT) Requirement

In addition to taking required high school English courses, new CSU students must show they are ready for college English by meeting the English Placement Test (EPT) requirement. It is very important to know the following:

CSU students who do not meet the EPT requirement cannot enroll in required college level English until they improve their English skills.
CSU students may take up to three semesters of extra English classes that do not count toward a college degree.
These courses are in addition to their usual college courses, and may involve additional charges.
Students who do not improve their English skills within a year may have to leave the university.

Step 3: Find Out About the CSU Early Assessment Program

The Early Assessment Program (EAP) measures student English skills at the end of the junior year to let them know in advance if they are ready for college-level coursework.
All grade eleven students who participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) will receive an EAP status
Students may meet the EPT requirement by exceeding the achievement standard set on the CAASPP.
Students will receive an EAP result via the CAASPP Individual Student Report from their high school which details their EAP English status.
The EAP English status indicates whether or not the student has met the EPT requirement and what the next steps should be.
Students should keep the Student Score Report in case it is necessary to verify their EAP status.