Mathematics Preparation Steps

Step 1: Take All Required High School Courses

High school students applying to the CSU must complete mathematics courses that have a prerequisite of Algebra II or Integrated Math III in high school with a grade of C or better.

These are the minimum courses. Even though some students finish these courses by the end of their junior year, ALL students are strongly advised to take math in their senior year. Those who do not heed this advice often forget the material, score poorly on college math placement exams, and spend time and money taking non-college credit classes to restore their math skills to the college entry level. For more information about high school course requirements for college please visit Cal State Apply.

Step 2: Find Out About the CSU Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Requirement

In addition to the math classes required for CSU admission, entering students must demonstrate math readiness for entry level college work, prior to enrolling in many college courses required for graduation. This is called the ELM Requirement. It is very important to know that students who do not meet the ELM Requirement:

Cannot enroll in certain required college courses until they meet the ELM Requirement
Must take up to three semesters of extra math classes that do not count toward a college degree in order to meet the ELM Requirement
May incur additional fees as a result of enrolling in these extra classes
May have to leave the university if they fail to meet the ELM Requirement within a year

About the ELM Exam
Unless students meet the ELM Requirement in one of the ways described above, they must take the ELM Exam prior to signing up for courses at any CSU.

A passing score on the ELM Exam meets the ELM requirement.
Those with a lower score may attend the CSU, but must improve their math skills before enrolling in certain for-credit college courses.
To sign up for the next ELM Exam students should review the ELM Exam Testing Schedule and follow the instructions provided by the CSU campus of admission.
To begin preparing for the ELM exam, students should access the online Exam Prep tools.

Step 3: Find Out About the CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP)

The EAP Program measures student math preparation for college near the end of the 11th grade. Students taking Algebra 2 or higher as juniors are eligible to take a CSU augmented version of the California Standards Test in summative mathematics or algebra 2. These students may meet the ELM Requirement if they score well on this test.
Students who participate in EAP will receive a letter and a student report in the fall of their senior year.
The report tells whether students have met the ELM Requirement and if not, how to meet it.
Keep the student report in case it is necessary to verify EAP status.