The Assessment Center provides:

• English and math assessment tests
• "Ability to benefit" exams

The testing schedule is also online. Assessment Testing is also available at Brentwood Center.

Testing is free. Only one test is permitted per academic year; therefore it is highly recommended that you review the study guides at the bottom of this page before taking your tests. Assessment testing is done on a drop-in basis during specified hours.

On this page:

• What is assessment?
• Who needs to take the assessment tests?
• How do I arrange to take the tests?
• What if I have already taken the assessment tests at another college?
• What if I have attended another college?
• Sample Questions and Study Guides
• Ability to Benefit (ATB) Exam

What is assessment?
Assessment tests help you determine the appropriate English and math courses for your current learning needs. Testing is required before enrollment into English or math courses.

Assessment tests are taken on a computer. All questions are multiple choice, and instructions are easy to follow. New students should plan to complete their assessment tests prior to attending a New Student Workshop.

You will receive your test results, including recommended placements, immediately after completing the tests. You will also be provided with clear descriptions of the subject matter covered in each English and math course.

You cannot "fail" the assessment tests or be denied admission to the college. The tests are a measure of current skill level only, not of intelligence or aptitude.

Who needs to take the assessment tests?

All new students planning to earn an associate degree or transfer to a 4-year college must take the assessment tests. English and math are required subjects for these goals.

Take the assessment tests only if you:

• Have never attended college before -- only new-to-college students need to take the assessment tests; students who have attended college before may be exempt from taking the tests -- and
• Plan to obtain an associate degree or transfer to a four-year college or university, or
• Plan to take English 90 or higher or Math 25 or higher, or
• Plan to take a course that has an English or math prerequisite

Do not take the assessment tests if you:

• Have attended college and taken English or math classes (bring a copy of your transcript to the Admissions Office, Counseling Office or Assessment Center), or
• Have already earned an associate or bachelor's degree, or
• Can provide proof that you have taken and passed with a "C" or better an English course equivalent to English 70 or higher and a math course equivalent to Math 12 or higher at another college or university, or
• Will be taking less than 6 units and will not be taking English or math, or
• Have taken assessment tests at another college within the past five years (in this case, bring or send your assessment scores to the Assessment Center for evaluation)

If you do not need to take the assessment tests, we ask that you submit an Exemption Request form to the Information Center, mailbox #25. The Exemption Request form is also available at the Assessment Center and the Admissions Office.

How do I arrange to take the tests?
No appointment is necessary. Just go to the Assessment Center on College Complex Level 3, room 524, during drop-in testing hours. Assessment is also offered at LMC's Brentwood Center during registration. See Drop-in Assessment Testing at Brentwood Center for drop-in hours.

What if I have already taken assessment tests at another college?
Bring your test records and/or transcript to the Assessment Center. You may be exempted from assessment at LMC.

What if I have attended another college?

Bring a copy of your college transcript to the Admissions Office, Counseling Office or Assessment Center to enroll in English or math classes.

Sample questions and study guides:

Accuplacer Sample Questions

Arithmetic Study Guide

Elementary Algebra Study Guide.pdf

Sentence Skills Study Guide.pdf

Reading Pre-test.pdf


Ability To Benefit (ATB) Exam
What is the "ability to benefit" exam and who is required to take it?
If you apply for federal financial aid and do not have a high school diploma or GED, you must demonstrate by exam that you have verbal and math skills equivalent to those of the average high school graduate. The English and math assessment test is approved for this purpose.

How do I arrange to take the ATB exam?
No appointment is necessary. Just go to the Assessment Center, room 524, during drop-in testing hours. The ATB exam is given only on the Pittsburg Campus.

Revised 1/27/10